We’re looking forward to introducing you to Marchello Eans. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Marchello, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve returned to the gym after a freak accident a year ago. While working out, for motivation I envision my seven year old son encouraging me. I’m always high spirited and hyper so my son has taken that personality on as well, so I hear him saying, “ Come on Dad, let’s goooo!!” I find myself smiling in the gym just thinking about such a moment. When I return home he asks how was the gym. I tell him thank you and he smiles in awe.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Marchello Eans, the founder and co-owner of the I LUV YOU (BLK) brand. I’m a husband, father, artist and educator. I spearhead this brand along with my wife and our five children. We began mid 2019, pre-COVID while the streets weren’t particularly safe for Black men.
I came across a viral video around that time and was moved greatly. This video made such an impact on me that I was challenged to take action.
I designed a series of designs which promoted the love of Black men, women and family. Not overly seeking praise for the graphics I kept the design simple to drive home the message of love for Black people.
The message driven tees metaphorically gained various voices and interpretations. Messages of self-love and attention to mental health. Stories of brotherhood and sisterhood. An empowering and affectionate appreciation for the culture and our roots. Solidarity and community building, group economics, connecting to the continent building a bridge between Africans and African-Americans.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I believed that everyone on television and within society were superior and Black people were the lowest on the totem pole. I felt like we were dealt a bad hand. Questions of why did I have to be born Black consumed my mind as a child
Why was my neighborhood desolate, why was my father not in the home, why were we constantly having car problems, always moving, surrounded by traumatic events.
The older I got I came to a global understanding of history and the sequence of events. School only exposed me to so much. I started to research history, art history, geography, traveled more, and interacted with people from various cultural backgrounds.
Through the various engagements, interactions, and research I discovered the truth about Black people and the oppressions of yesterday and today. I was enlightened about the injustices, systemic and systematic racism at play for years. I came to the conclusion that my feelings of inferiority were all by design.
Knowledge of this truth has empowered me to walk proud and unapologetically as a Black man in this world. Understanding the contributions of Black people to the Americas and abroad has instilled within me a solid foundation. For I am now cognizant of a strategy at play to stifle the growth and development of a race of people.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You are HIM. Trust the process, everyone is hitting their peak too early, your time will come. Don’t envy them for where they are, don’t conform to fit in, be yourself, double down on your uniqueness.
The world is full of lies, smoke and mirrors saturate the world. You will get married, you will be a father, you will be the first multi-millionaire in your family.
I would remind myself to build a relationship with God for myself and not because my mom and others suggested such a thing. Stand on your values and morals never compromising for the almighty dollar.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
There’s a collection of comedians I admire for their character. For I grew up listening to Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. Eventually I listened to Paul Mooney and Dick Gregory. Then I came across Chris Rock , Dave Chappelle and Jamie Foxx and Godfrey Danchimah.
All of these men have contributed so much to my development as a Black man in America. Their speaking truth to power and humility through staying connected to our people. Witnessing the power they hold but never forsaking their roots.
I’ve drawn from their movies, stand-up routines, interviews and interactions while constructing a wholesome, well-rounded me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I were to shut the business down and retire, my customers would miss the sight of a family. As an educator I heard questions from students that were alarming. Questions like: Are all of your children by your wife? My wife heard questions like: Does your husband really love you or he just staying with you because you have all of those kids?
My wife and I grew up watching The Cosby Show and modeled our parenting styles similar to that of Cliff and Claire Huxtable. One thing I realized was the fact that a Black family was a rarity and we were many of our students’ Cosby Show.
So in the marketplace we show up as a family to encourage a nation of people. To combat the narrative that Black families don’t exist, we flood social media with positive images and videos of an entire unit walking in Black excellence.
The human interaction and exchange in the marketplace supersedes and far outweighs the online presence. We are a people for the people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ILUVYOUBLK.com
- Instagram: @iluvyoublk
- Facebook: www.facebook/iluvyoublk.com
- Other: TikTok- I LUV YOU (BLK)
Image Credits
All-white photo of children. Credit the photographer Presley Sheffield.
