Dear friends and future co-owners,
(Just in case you missed the email the first time)
We're ready to move from vision to reality.
Over recent months, many of you have expressed excitement about creating democratically-controlled media infrastructure that can't be bought, sold, or captured by profit-driven interests. Today, I'm sharing everything you need to become a founding member of BLKOUT Media Limited - a Community Benefit Society focused on social justice media work.
What We're Creating Together
BLKOUT Media will be member-owned and mission-locked - a legal structure that combines the democratic values of co-operatives with the focused purpose of charities. This means:
✊ Community control - members elect the board and set strategic direction 📺 Mission protection - profits must advance social justice, not enrich individuals
🏗️ Lasting infrastructure - capital stays committed to the movement permanently
🗳️ One member, one vote - democracy not determined by economic contribution
Your Next Steps
Please review these materials and decide if you're ready to commit as a founding member:
Essential Reading
📋 [Founding Members Briefing] - Your role, responsibilities, and the democratic transition process
📜 [Complete Constitutional Rules] - Legal framework we'll operate within
📊 [Business Plan Summary] - Strategic vision and operational roadmap
🌐 [Draft Website Feedback] - Help us refine our online presence
Take Action
✅ [Founding Member Application] - If you haven't yet, or waiting to meet with Rob, complete this form if you're ready to commit
⚖️ [Interim Board Interest Form] - Express interest in startup leadership (deadline July 31st)
Why This Matters Now
We're at a critical moment where community-controlled alternatives to corporate media are essential for social justice movements. By creating BLKOUT Media as member-owned infrastructure, we're building tools for liberation that will outlast any individual campaign or crisis.
This isn't just about starting another organization - we're creating community wealth that serves collective liberation.
Democratic Process Ahead
As founding members, you'll appoint our interim board (with Rob as chair) to get operations established. Within six months, we'll hold our first Annual General Meeting where the full membership elects permanent leadership democratically.
Every step designed to embody the change we want to see.
Questions & Conversations
I know this represents a significant commitment and you may have questions about legal responsibilities, financial implications, or strategic direction. I'm available for one-to-one conversations, and we can arrange a group call if there's sufficient interest.
This only works if we're building it together with full transparency and trust.
Timeline
🏢 July 25th - Submit registration to Financial Conduct Authority
🗓️ July 31st - Interim board interest deadline
📝 August 9th - Founding members finalize commitment and UK Black Pride marketing event
🎯 September onwards - Operations begin, membership building starts
Ready to Build?
If you're prepared to help create lasting infrastructure for social justice media work, we're ready to move forward together. If this isn't the right moment for you, that's completely understood - there will be opportunities to participate as members once we're operational.
The revolution will not be televised, but it will be community-controlled.
Looking forward to building this with you,
Rob
P.S. Remember our emergent strategy principle: "Trust the people. If you trust the people, they become trustworthy." This entire structure is designed around that truth.
BLKOUT Media Ltd - Community-Controlled Infrastructure for Social Justice