FLINT, MI — Egypt Otis, owner of Comma Bookstore & Social Hub, was featured in a Mastercard partnership with Marvel and the iconic “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” commercial spotlighting her business through their Strivers Initiative.
Otis announced the commercial on Comma Bookstore’s Facebook page on Monday, Oct. 24.
“To serve as the face of possibility for aspiring Black women and young girls makes me feel like a superhero of sorts – just for living my truth,” Otis said in the Facebook post. “Mastercard’s Strivers Initiative has provided me the resources and platform to help my business thrive and further empower our community, which to me is truly priceless.
“Thank you to everyone who played a role into making this happen! Especially Mastercard, Marvel and the production team! I’m very grateful for the impact this has had on my city.”
The commercial features a little child walking into the bookstore located in downtown Flint, and Otis standing there smiling at her.
The narrator then says “Superheroes are everywhere. In our movies, communities and running our small businesses.”
The Strivers Initiative, which kicked off in February 2021, is described in a Mastercard news release as “a consumer-facing platform, elevating the visibility of Black female business owners overcoming obstacles to maintain and grow their business, as role models for the community and future generations.”
Related: Flint bookstore opens with focus on Black authors and culture
Otis could not immediately be reached by MLive-The Flint Journal for comment on the commercial.
She opened Comma Bookstore & Social Hub in September 2020, with a focus on Black authors and culture.
To view the commercial, click here.
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