Community

The Black Nerds Create community is a place to help folks build authentic connections that inspire and encourage their creative works. Through conversations surrounding pop culture, arts, and current events, we hope this space leads you to think about the world more deeply and explore creative possibilities in whatever form they take. We strive for this to be a safe space for everyone, but the needs and considerations of Black folks, specifically Black people of marginalized genders, will be placed above all others.

Code of Conduct

Be Inclusive.

While this community was built for Black folks, we accept and support people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to members of any sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, social and economic class, educational level, color, immigration status, sex, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability.

Racism, sexism, transphobia, queerphobia, ableism, or other forms of bigotry are not welcome nor tolerated here, any instances of such can result in expulsion from the community.

Be Respectful.

We won’t all agree all the time, but disagreement is no excuse for disrespectful behavior. We will all experience frustration from time to time, but we cannot allow that frustration to become personal attacks. An environment where people feel unwelcome or threatened is not a productive or creative one.

In addition to being respectful of individuals, we ask that you are respectful of the BNC mission to cultivate a space focused on creation and of our identity as a Black organization carving out space for Black people. Allies are welcome, but centering whiteness and dominating conversation (or entering conversations about Black identity) as a non-Black person is disrespectful.

Speak and Engage with Intention.

This space aims to be safe and welcoming to all who participate. This means people from all walks of life, with various experiences, backgrounds, locations, and more. We ask that everyone be mindful of their words and actions, we also ask that you engage with everyone in good faith and with positive intention.

Do not insult or put down others. Be mindful of stepping over boundaries others have set for their online relationships. People have different personality types, levels of openness, and definitions of friendship. Being over familiar may make others uncomfortable. Harassment and exclusionary behavior aren’t acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Threats of violence.
• Insubordination.
• Discriminatory jokes and language.
• Sharing sexually explicit or violent material without warning or consent.
• Personal insults, especially those using racist or sexist terms.
• Unwelcome sexual attention.
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

Safe space does not mean a space where your ideas will not and cannot be challenged. If you’re open to sharing opinions you must also be willing to receive differing opinions and (respectful) challenges to your worldview.

Remember the purpose of the space. Sometimes, even when you mean well, you can bring forward a conversation inappropriate for the context. Conversations providing medical advice to others, for example, are outside the boundaries.

Be Kind.

Address Conflict with Curiosity.

While we ask everyone to be mindful of their words, we also ask that you assume the best in people and work through disagreements and miscommunication in a productive manner with the intended outcome to be mutual understanding and clarity, not being declared right or wrong.

Please recognize that the impact of your words and actions may be harmful and be open to correction and conversation.

Take What’s Learned, Not What’s Shared.

The BNC community is not Twitter, please be mindful that members may not want their comments shared publicly. We want to keep the conversation open, safe, and (mostly) judgment-free, it is difficult to do that with fear that what is said will end up on social media. That said, sometimes shit is funny and needs to be shared, please just ask permission first.

Dialogue and conflict that happens in the community should be brought up and resolved within the community. If you have an issue with another member please address it with the help of the community moderators and not outside of the community. Subtweets and side comments are almost always noticed whether you think they are or not.

Keep the Mission at the Center.

The Black Nerds Create Community exists to push our values of connecting, cultivating, and building with each other.

Our focus is to help folks build authentic connections that help them in their creative journey. Friendships and group events are an added bonus but it is not the goal of this community. Please keep space for people regardless of personal feelings and be mission-driven while participating in this community.

Violations Policy

Any person violating these guidelines will receive an informal warning in writing. Multiple warnings will lead to a formal warning and temporary ban from the community. Your account will be inactive for an agreed-upon time. If the violation is particularly offensive, we will skip the informal and immediately send a formal warning.

Any additional formal warnings will result in permanent expulsion from the community. Think of this as three strikes you’re out, though again, the number of infractions is at the discretion of the admins and community managers. Any violations that are sufficiently egregious can result in a permanent ban immediately. 

We appreciate everyone in this community but as our audience and members grow and change we want to be mindful and reiterate the purpose of this community and why we exist. Please feel free to reach out to an administrator or community manager (Robyn Jordan, Nicole Hill, and Donnalie Jamnah) if you want to discuss in greater detail or have any questions, comments, or concerns you’d like to address.

Final Notes:

• Be aware that not all people engage in the same way, there may be some people who are present in Discord but are not participating in the conversation. 
• If you see someone not adhering to guidelines, call it out respectfully. This is our safe space to be as nerdy as we want! We all OWN this space.
• If you feel uncomfortable or see anyone repeatedly violating these terms please message community managers, Robyn Jordan, Nicole Hill, or Donnalie Jamnah.
• Remember that while we try our best, the team of community managers and admins cannot see and cover every conversation in every channel. We expect folks to engage in good faith with one another and to communicate when they have a concern.