A Personal Note from DaVante'

My ask to you: read this in full and decide if REAL Black-Owned independent journalism is worth saving...

Yo, KinFam, what's good?

It’s DaVante, Founder of Kin Worldwide—yeah, the parent company of Kin+.

I want to share something with you, something that’s been on my mind for a minute now. I don’t usually get personal in these emails, but this one’s different.

So I’m asking you to hear me out, take a moment, and really listen.

Here’s the truth: without growing Kin+’s paid membership base SUBSTANTIALLY, our current pace of reporting and output—and therefore our impact—is not sustainable.

Let me break it down for you real quick, but first, I need you to understand where we come from in this space.

It was 198 years ago when the nation’s first Black newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, boldly declared in their lead editorial on March 16, 1827: “We wish to plead our own cause; too long have others spoken for us.”

That sentiment still rings true today. It’s why Frederick Douglass, a former slave and abolitionist, fought for African Americans to have their own platform, their own voice, and their own narrative.

He said, “It is just common sense that those who suffer injustice are those who must demand redress.” Douglass understood that we must speak for ourselves, and that’s why we’re here today.

It was Douglass who inspired Robert Abbott in 1905 to create the Chicago Defender, a groundbreaking paper that fought against white supremacy, segregation, and stood up for millions of Black Americans. That same paper led the charge during the Great Migration, where Black folks moved from the South to the North for a better life.

And then you had the legendary Ida B. Wells, whose pen was mightier than any weapon as she fought against lynching, even as she faced mobs that wanted her dead. These giants didn’t just report the news; they shaped the culture, fought for justice, and built Black-owned media that gave a voice to the voiceless.

But let’s fast forward to today. We’re seeing fewer voices of color in mainstream media—radio, TV, and online. Not just in front of the camera, but in ownership. And here we are, just 18 years away from 2043, when America will become a majority people of color.

But guess what? We’re still depending on someone else to tell our story.

That can NEVER happen again.

We cannot let others control our narrative. We must be in control of our own voices.

That’s why Kin+ is more than just a platform—it’s a fight for our future.

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Let me drop some real talk on you. I’ve given you the history, the why, and the importance of what we’re building here, but now it’s time for the Kin Manifesto—the code we live by.

Here’s the truth: We are at the intersection of power, progress, and possibility.

But if we’re gonna own it all, we need to act like it.

Here’s how we get there:

1. WE BUILD IT.
We take control. We create the platforms, the networks, and the opportunities that are built by us and for us. We do it from scratch if we have to, but we don’t wait for permission. We own the space we take. No handouts. No limits. Just hustle.

2. WE DEMAND OUR VOICE BE HEARD.
Like Douglass and Wells before us, we speak our truth, unapologetically. We say what others are afraid to say, we amplify the stories that matter, and we elevate the voices that have been silenced for too long. We are the loudest in the room, because our truth has to be heard.

3. WE EMBRACE CULTURAL IMPACT.
We recognize that everything we do has the power to shape culture. From the stories we tell, to the businesses we support, to the content we create—it all matters. We make sure that we’re influencing the future, not just reflecting the past. We own our legacy, and we write the next chapter.

4. WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
This is all about community. We rise together or not at all. Whether it’s supporting Black creators, Black-owned businesses, or the next generation of leaders, we understand that when we lift one, we lift all. Collaboration over competition. Community over isolation.

5. WE COMMIT TO LEGACY.
This ain’t just for today. This is about building something that lasts long after we’re gone. We don’t just build brands—we build legacies. And we ensure that our impact is felt for generations to come. We create wealth, we create knowledge, and we create opportunities that continue to grow and give back.

6. WE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE.
This is a fight. It’s a fight for fair representation, it’s a fight for ownership, it’s a fight for our future. We stand up for what’s right and we don’t back down. We challenge the system, we demand change, and we make sure our voices are not just heard, but felt.

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Now here’s where it gets real, fam. Kin+ isn’t just another media platform. It’s the future of Black-owned media. And it’s only gonna succeed if YOU, the KinFam, step up and become a paid member.

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If you believe in this manifesto, if you believe in owning it all, then it’s time to put your money where your mouth is. Your support is what makes this whole movement sustainable.

We need you to help us build this thing.

Become a paid member of Kin+ and join a community that’s committed to owning its future, shaping its narrative, and creating the culture we want to see. Without your membership, we can’t make this sustainable.

But with it, we take this whole movement to the next level.

It’s time for us to speak truth to power. It’s time for us to control our narrative. It’s time for us to make sure the world knows what we stand for.

So let’s get it, KinFam. Own it all. Build it all.

DaVante’
Founder, Kin Worldwide

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