CANNABIS NOIRE:

Creating The Space

My name is Sheena Roberson and I am the founder of Cannabis Noire and Ignite Nonprofit. Cannabis Noire is a platform dedicated to helping minorities access both the cannabis industry and the community. We do this by providing tangible resources and identifying and creating opportunities that circumvent existing systematic barriers. Ignite nonprofit centers around reinvesting back into communities adversely impacted by the War on Drugs and supporting returning citizens and their loved ones. As former National Sales and Marketing Director for Chick Fil A Atlanta and corporate giving chair, my understanding of the importance of diversity and equity within corporate structures is experiential. It was from there I went on to begin educating companies and businesses of the importance of diversity and inclusion and how genuine well thought out efforts of maintaining or burgeoning equity could offer a measurable ROI  as it relates to profits and productivity. The intersection between diversity and inclusion in cannabis came when I realized how so many of the systematic barriers that were crippling our communities and corporate structures were limiting the cannabis industry and to add insult to injury criminalizing people of color for pursuing cannabis as a means to feed or clothe their families. 

 

 From these gaping holes and lack of minority and women presence, my platform was born and my mission began, I work tirelessly within the community and cannabis industry to bridge the gap and act as a healthy liaison to both parties in an effort to ensure that equitable reinvestments are made and previously overlooked concerns are considered. I speak now within the cannabis space not just to the importance of equity and diversity but the corporate social responsibility of cannabis businesses to the communities they infringe on, the need for more minority leadership, how to acquire funding, and how to use marketing and creativity to better brand and scale cannabis businesses. 

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We also work diligently to create images and depictions of minorities that more accurately reflect cannabis users, helping to eliminate the stigma and support a shame-free cannabis lifestyle. We consult with businesses both within and out of the cannabis space to "bridge the gap" between communities and consumers. Offering a variety of supportive business services and resources, we provide unique cannabis networking experiences and travel options, offering students, followers, and supporters an unmatched culmination of cannabis experiences and information. We have strong ties to the community and support and advocate for them through regular and special programming both locally and nationally, steadily reinforcing narratives around the immediate need for criminal justice reform and support of those adversely impacted by The War in Drugs.