|   Black Funeral Home Businesses In Peril

The "Clark Cares" initiative gives us a way to keep on giving in the name of Wilkie Clark and his wife, Hattie Lee Peters Clark, while supporting an industry that he passionately loved and devoted the latter years of his life to.  The Black Funeral Industry.  

WHY THIS MATTERS TO US?

It is a well-kept secret that for decades (among African-American practicing Funeral Directors), many black funeral home owners/directors were compelled to sell their services and merchandise at greatly reduced prices, because the communities we were serving were never financially strong.   This in turn was an impediment to building strong businesses.  We were ALWAYS working at a disadvantage.   We were ALWAYS, losing — and rarely profitable,  because we were serving economically disadvantaged populations (African-American families) which ALWAYS caused us to have to compromise in terms of the retail price charged for the goods and services we offered to our families.   

In 95% of the cases, we were already charging way below market value.  Then depending on the family's circumstances, were often forced to further discount our service and merchandise so the families could "save face" and secure decent homegoing accommodations for their beloved family members.   

However, changing the economic conditions — excessive and punitive state regulations — economically restrictive financial requirements — have forced us to get in step and stay in sync with current trends in pricing our services, therefore it is becoming less and less feasible for us to provide services at a greatly reduced price.   

IN SPITE OF ALL OF THE ABOVE, WE KNOW OUR FAMILIES STILL NEED US!!

"Clark Cares" is a fund to help needy families prepare to meet their funeral director and pay him/her for their services.    We realize that this is a BIG ask.  But, your response will not only help families in need.  It will also help preserve the African American Funeral Director as a major player in the larger movement for Freedom, Justice, and Equality.

By helping our families in need, we are in turn helping black Funeral Service Practitioners to continue their respective legacies as professionals and leaders in their communities.

At the present time, "Clark Cares" is in it's early stage of growth, thus we reserve a future date at which funds will be available to assist families.   However, at this time, we merely ask that you GIVE, with an open heart and open mind in hopes that together, we can do something wonderful not only for families, but for our industry.

RETURN TO "CLARK-CARES"