10/06/2024
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have posted this open letter on IG today, but after literally years of patience and pleading, it seems that I can no longer suffer this situation in silence.
My journey with Mabeo started a long time ago, and though, like many companies, Mabeo has had its ups and downs. I am happy that Peter Mabeo is realizing his creative and social stewardship aspirations.
What tarnishes this person's moment is the fact that Peter Mabeo has been selling my designs and extensively promoting his brand with my products without acknowledging my IP rights by signing a contract and not paying me any remuneration or royalties for the sales of the products I designed for his Mabeo Furniture brand.
Over the years, I approached this issue with delicacy and patience, understanding the challenges Peter was facing. We both sought to create opportunities for each other, and I was careful not to cast any doubt on his character or mission. Yet, in silence, I endured the injustice of my designs being exploited, with every attempt at resolution being evaded.
As time passed, Peter repaid my empathy with ignored requests to resolve contract signing issues, appointments for meetings to discuss royalties resulting in ‘no shows’, and eventually blatantly being ghosted.
It was then that I realized that it did not matter to Peter that we were two rare representatives of blackness in a design landscape that drew inspiration from our solidarity…and as such, it also did not matter that I was the only black designer with designs in his collection. All of the above mentioned matters to me, so I am writing this letter.
With a heavy heart, having exhausted all avenues of discreet diplomacy, I am left with no choice but to publicly ask Peter Mabeo to do the right thing. I hope that he will step up and resolve the outstanding contract and royalty issues, which he seems to accept as a norm.
I see Peter as a brother, but it is not enough to stand for pro-black design values in public and not uphold the same ideals when dealing with a fellow black designer when you are not in the spotlight.
Sincerely,
garth
