Pastor Jamal Bryant has found himself at the center of another consumer-activism controversy after responding to a viral social media video that mocked calls for a boycott of Asian-owned businesses.
According to Black Enterprise, the debate began when an Asian content creator shared a video challenging Black Americans to stop spending money at Asian-owned establishments. In the clip, the creator argued that many Black consumers regularly rely on Asian-owned businesses for services such as nail salons and dry cleaning, as well as for a variety of products, including electronics, vehicles, and retail merchandise.
The creator further claimed that Asian communities would not be significantly impacted by a boycott, suggesting they are not as financially dependent on Black consumers as some may believe. The video quickly gained traction online, sparking widespread discussion and prompting responses from several public figures, including Bryant.
Bryant amplified the discussion by sharing the video on social media and challenging his followers to consider the creator’s claims. “Welp you heard it from them ….they said they don’t need our money and that we can’t survive without them! Yall wanna test his theory?” he wrote.
His post quickly sparked intense reactions online, with supporters and critics weighing in on whether a boycott would be an effective response. Some viewed the original video as disrespectful and reflective of deeper tensions between Black and Asian communities, while others argued that the conversation should focus on economic empowerment and business ownership rather than division.
The debate comes amid renewed scrutiny of some Asian-owned businesses following the acquittal of South Carolina convenience store owner Chikei Rick Chow in the fatal 2023 shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton.
Rather than focusing solely on boycotts, several activists have used the moment to promote economic development within Black communities. Bryant, along with rapper and activist Mysonne, has encouraged supporters to back Black-owned businesses, bank with Black-owned financial institutions, and keep more money circulating within their communities.
What began as a debate over consumer spending has since evolved into a broader conversation about ownership, generational wealth, economic influence, and the obstacles Black entrepreneurs often face in competitive industries.
The controversy also arrives shortly after Bryant’s prominent involvement in the nationwide Target boycott movement. The campaign, which lasted more than a year, aimed to pressure the retailer over its diversity and equity initiatives.
Bryant recently described the effort as largely successful, stating that organizers were able to secure three of their four primary objectives.
