Becoming The Blackout Inc.
This all started as a simple tumblr post. T'von (expect-the-greatest) suggested we have a day where the black users of tumblr post and reblog only selfies as a way to network and encourge each other. When Marissa Rei (blkoutqueen) suggested that the movement be called "The Blackout", the movement was officially born. The original post started spreading and the third member of the team NuKirk (Nukirk) created promo art for the different social media platforms bearing the hashtag #blackoutday, the movement went viral! Since March 6th, we've been hard at work and listening to feedback and noticing the needs of the community.
The Blackout comes at time in which the on-going discourse surrounding what it means to be black is very heavy. While we fight for the right to be heard, we also want to celebrate ourselves. In the face of all the negativity, we want to showcase and celebrate all the wonderful ways that blackness is manifested and create networking opportunities for black people across social media platforms. In order to protect this movement, we need to become a legitimate brand. To do that, we need to cover many legal fees. We would like your help to do this so that have the original intent of the positivity movement protected.
The Blackout would like to become a charitable organization. Meaning, we need to get legal paperwork in place so that we can continue. The Blackout isn’t just selfies anymore and we see potential for real change. In order to get our feet on the ground, we need to trademark all affiliated tags and logos, incorporate (in order to get things like tax ID numbers, business numbers, etc), and do a lot of legal paper work so that we can also start featuring black artists and business on our website. You all also expressed interest in organizing meet ups and festivals but until we have legal protection in place, we cannot move forward with any of that. We are working with a legal team to try to get this all done but it will costs us. This is all explained at theblackoutofficial and I encourage you all to follow us/ask questions there.
Help us grow.
The Blackout comes at time in which the on-going discourse surrounding what it means to be black is very heavy. While we fight for the right to be heard, we also want to celebrate ourselves. In the face of all the negativity, we want to showcase and celebrate all the wonderful ways that blackness is manifested and create networking opportunities for black people across social media platforms. In order to protect this movement, we need to become a legitimate brand. To do that, we need to cover many legal fees. We would like your help to do this so that have the original intent of the positivity movement protected.
The Blackout would like to become a charitable organization. Meaning, we need to get legal paperwork in place so that we can continue. The Blackout isn’t just selfies anymore and we see potential for real change. In order to get our feet on the ground, we need to trademark all affiliated tags and logos, incorporate (in order to get things like tax ID numbers, business numbers, etc), and do a lot of legal paper work so that we can also start featuring black artists and business on our website. You all also expressed interest in organizing meet ups and festivals but until we have legal protection in place, we cannot move forward with any of that. We are working with a legal team to try to get this all done but it will costs us. This is all explained at theblackoutofficial and I encourage you all to follow us/ask questions there.
Help us grow.