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Hey, can you believe it? 10 years. 10 beautiful, revolutionary years.
On February 10th, 2016, BLKOUT began as a dream — a space where Black queer men
could exist fully, love freely, and build boldly. Now look at what we’ve grown together:
over 10,000 brothers across the UK, a
full liberation technology platform, and a registered Community Benefit Society.
This February, we’re celebrating everything we’ve built — and inviting you to help lead
what comes next.
A Decade of Black Men Loving Black Men
In 2016, we started with gatherings in London — just brothers finding each other in a
world that often forgot we existed. We grew to Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol. We
survived a pandemic by becoming lifelines for each other online. We built partnerships,
hosted parties, ran wellness workshops, and most importantly — we showed up for each other.
2016: Founded in London — the dream begins
2017-18: Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol — growing roots
2019-20: Pandemic resilience — virtual lifelines
2021-22: Digital horizons — first website, newsletter
2023-24: Building infrastructure — community consultations
2025: The revolution, digitized — full platform launch
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Last year, we transformed from a community project into a liberation technology
platform. We launched AIvor, built an Events Calendar, a News Platform, a Communications
Hub, and formalized as a Community Benefit Society — democratic governance,
member ownership, 75% of revenue to creators and community,
hardcoded, not aspirational.
Celebrate With Us This February
This month we’re part of two incredible events celebrating queer history, creativity, and community. Pull up — both are free.
Queer Frequencies: Community Collaging Workshop Part of LGBT+ History Month at Stanley Arts Date: Saturday, February 14th, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: The Living Room, Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill, London SE25 6AB
Cost: Free • 18+
A participatory collaging workshop by Bold Mellon Collective exploring “Queer Ancestry & Personal Mythologies” — the people and relationships who’ve inspired us. Materials and refreshments provided. Artwork can be taken home or included in the Queer Frequencies Exhibition (Feb 15–27).
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Representation 365 with UK Black Pride UAL LGBTQ+ History Month Date: Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM GMT
Venue: The London Art Bar, 300 High Holborn, London WC1V 7JH
Cost: Free
Lady Phyll (CEO, UK Black Pride) in conversation with Rob Berkeley (Founder, BLKOUT UK) on how Black queer and QTIPOC communities have long been sites of innovation in organising, mutual aid, and community wellbeing. An informal sofa talk with audience questions and collective reflection.
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The Next Decade Needs You
10 years of community has brought us here. But the next 10 years need something even
more important than technology. They need you.
As a Community Benefit Society, BLKOUT is democratically governed and member-owned.
We’re now recruiting 5 board members to
guide our strategic direction, protect our values, and hold the organization accountable
to our community.
“We’re not looking for figureheads. We’re looking for builders.
People who understand that governance isn’t just paperwork — it’s the foundation
of liberation. Every decision we make echoes through 10,000 lives.”
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5 Positions. 5 Ways to Lead.
Chair
Lead board meetings, represent BLKOUT publicly, and ensure governance excellence.
The voice of our collective vision.
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Treasurer
Oversee financial health, budgeting, and reporting. Ensure our 75% creator revenue
share is honored. Liberation economics in action.
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Secretary
Maintain records, coordinate communications, ensure compliance. The organizational
memory of our movement.
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Technology Director
Guide platform development, data sovereignty, and digital strategy. Technical
background valued but not required.
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Community Director
Champion member needs, partnerships, and community engagement. Stay rooted in the
lived experiences of Black queer men across the UK.
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The Commitment: | ●4-6 hours per month— meetings, prep, and correspondence | | ●Quarterly board meetings— hybrid (London + virtual) | | ●3-year term— renewable based on member vote | | ●Voluntary role— expenses reimbursed |
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What You’ll Gain: | ●Leadership experiencein a registered Community Benefit Society | | ●Governance trainingand professional development | | ●Networkwith tech, nonprofit, and community leaders | | ●Direct impacton 10,000+ lives | | ●Legacy— help build an institution that outlasts us all |
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You don’t need a fancy CV or years of board experience. What we need is commitment,
integrity, and care for our community.
Especially welcome: First-time board
members, people outside London, those with lived experience in health, housing,
immigration, or other community challenges. Formal governance training will be provided.
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Board Recruitment Timeline EOI Opens: Now
EOI Deadline: February 14th, 2026
Info Session (BLKOUTHUB): February 15-16th, 2026
Board Announcement: February 21st, 2026
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Help Us Serve You Better
We’re building BLKOUT around you — but we need to know you better. Take 2 minutes to tell us what matters most so we can send you the right content, events, and opportunities.
Quick questions: | ●Where in the UK are you based? | | ●What content do you want more of — events, news, wellness, tech, governance? | | ●Would you attend IRL events in your city? | | ●Are you interested in creating content, volunteering, or mentoring? |
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Three Ways to Show Up This Month
This February gives you three chances to show up for our community:
By Feb 14th: Apply for the board —
help govern the next decade of liberation
Feb 14th: Queer Frequencies collaging workshop
at Stanley Arts — explore queer ancestry through art
Feb 18th: Representation 365 —
Lady Phyll & Rob Berkeley in conversation at UAL
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“Black men loving Black men is the revolutionary act.”
- Joseph Beam |
Black men governing for Black men? That’s how we build the revolution to last.
After 10 years, I’d say we’ve started something that can’t be stopped.
The ancestors are celebrating with us. With revolutionary love, Rob, AIvor & The BLKOUT Team
P.S. — Know someone who’d be perfect for the board? Forward this email. Sometimes the
best leaders need a gentle nudge to step up. Be that nudge.
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