Dear friends of BLKOUT,
Nine years ago, we began with a simple but revolutionary idea: that Black queer men need each other. We understood that we deserved spaces where our stories weren't just told for entertainment but were owned by us, to be used as tools for our liberation. This Pride season, we're taking the next steps in that journey.
Tomorrow, from the front of the Pride in London parade, we're not just celebrating who we are - we're claiming who we're becoming - and sharing our pride in both.
BLKOUTNXT: Community Ownership in Action
Research told us what we already knew in our hearts: only 1 in 20 Black queer men in London feel they belong in their neighbourhoods. Only 2 in 10 always have someone to socialize with. These aren't just statistics—they're the lived reality that demands we move beyond visibility to action.
That's why, after a year on hiatus, we're now transitioning BLKOUT UK to community ownership, and creating a new, story-powered, community media platform through BLKOUTNXT.
We're rebooting as a Community Benefit Society where our members don't just passively consume media content, but collectively own and direct the organization so that that the content serves them better.
What does community ownership mean for us?
- Democratic control: Members vote on key decisions about our direction and priorities
- Shared ownership: Every member has an equal voice regardless of financial contribution
- Collective power: We build wealth and resources together, not for external shareholders
- Liberation in practice: Moving from begging for inclusion to creating our own institutions that can demonstrate what freedom looks like.
We continue to champion our interdependence and prize our alliances—BLKOUTNXT is about recognising that we have always been the heroes we've been waiting for, and that there is no better time than right now to lay claim to our salvation.
An Invitation to lead
(part one)
become a founding member of the new BLKOUT collective
We're seeking 25 founding members to anchor this transition.
Founding members will:
- Shape our governance model through the Community Benefit Society registration process
- Guide our first year of community ownership with quarterly decision-making meetings
- Access exclusive resources including early access to our newsroom platform and member-only content
- Build lasting relationships with other committed community builders, and help us reach other Black queer men as we develop
What we're looking for:
- Alignment with our values of collective liberation and democratic participation
- Commitment to quarterly engagement and decision-making
- Willingness to learn and grow together as we navigate this new model
The process is simple:
- Complete our founding member application (taking 10-15 minutes)
- Join a brief conversation about your interests and questions
- If it feels right for everyone, you'll receive membership documents to review
- Final decisions by July 11th to be included in our Community Benefit Society registration
This isn't about perfection, nor temporary spectacle—it's about commitment to the work of getting and staying
free. We're looking for people who understand that building collective power requires both individual courage and shared responsibility.
An invitation to lead
(part two)
Pride in London: Leading the Celebration
Tomorrow (Sat July 5th), the Pride in London parade will be led by a group representing LGBTQ+ civil society - the glue that holds our communities together, a group of BLKOUT members have been invited to be part of this leading group.
This opportunity is first-come, first-served for the first FIVE members who are up for it and can commit to being at the meeting point for 11.30am on Saturday
Think about it: leading Pride London as we transition to community ownership. It's the perfect symbol of what we're building—taking ownership of our visibility, claiming our place at the forefront of the movement, in solidarity with others.
Even if you're not ready for founding membership, join us at Pride London to celebrate this moment of transition. We'll be posting updates, hosting conversations, and sharing community throughout the day - at the World Stage in Golden Lion Square, and watching Durand Bernarr and Chaka Khan in Trafalgar Square
Why This Matters Now?
Mainstream media and Big Tech continue to extract our stories without investment in our communities. Dating apps remove tools that help us find each other while doing nothing about the racism that necessitated them. Even progressive spaces too often centre whiteness - asking us to be grateful for inclusion. Our trans siblings are withstanding a collapse in empathy that views difference as a threat, resulting in folk grasping for certainty and finding only old-fashioned oppression reinforced.
We're done waiting for others to create the change we need, we know our silence won't protect us. That's why we're not building another organization—we're building a new model.
What Happens Next
If you're ready to explore founding membership:
- Complete the application
- Book a conversation
- Join the team
If you want to support but aren't ready for founding membership:
- Join us tomorrow @ Pride London and on blkouthub.com and celebrate us
- Share this newsletter with others who you think might be interested
- Stay engaged as we open to the next cohort of members later this year
If you're curious but need more information:
- Reply to this email with your questions
- Join our community call next week (Tues 8th @ 7.30)
- Visit our BLKOUTNXT websites for more details about Community Benefit Societies
Trust the People
One of our core principles is "Trust the people—if you trust the people, they become trustworthy." This transition is built on that trust.
We trust that our community has the wisdom to govern itself. We trust that collective ownership creates better outcomes than individual control. We trust that when we move at the speed of trust, we build something lasting.
Your voice matters in this decision. Not because we need your approval, but because we believe the best decisions emerge from real community input.
Final Thought
Change is constant. We've always known this. What's different now is that we're no longer just responding to change—we're creating it.
This Pride month, we're not just celebrating who we are. We're claiming who we're becoming.
The future of Black queer liberation includes owning our own institutions, making our own decisions, and building wealth together. BLKOUTNXT is our contribution to that future.
Will you build it with us?
Next Steps:
- Founding Member Application: Check your email in the next hour
- Community Call: Tuesday 8th, 7:30 PM BST via blkouthub.com
- Pride London: July 5th (meet-up 11.30 tomorrow, text Rob)
- Questions: Reply to this email or text [07764 935 770]
In solidarity and anticipation,
The BLKOUT UK Team
PS: Building collective power isn't just about policy or structure—it's about the relationships that make democracy possible. Whether you become a founding member or not, thank you for being part of this community and this conversation. That's where transformation begins.
