Black Luck on WhatsApp
This is our dedicated virtual commons for Black people to connect directly with other Black people, where we share initiatives, supports, and events of benefit to us. To learn more about our commons from our community agreement to its corresponding policies.
On this page, non-members can also explore our curated resources and announcements originally shared by our members.
Becoming a member:
To become a member, you’ll need to get a group link from an existing member.
If you are new to Kingston or do not know any existing members, you can email us.
Once you have read and agreed to the Community Guidelines and have confirmed that you are a Black person living in and around this area you will be admitted to the group by a designated volunteer admin.
Principles
-
✺
NO HIERARCHY: we are entirely volunteer-run, where each member invests in themselves and their community. We all have skills and ideas of value that we can contribute.
-
✺
COMMUNITY-CENTERED: we celebrate and respect the diversity of our community by affirming that our commons must remain aligned with these principles.
-
✺
CONNECTION: it is our aim to continually get to know each other well and to strengthening our community through attending events together and through collaborating.
-
✺
RESPONSIBILITY: members can participate as much or as little as they would like. This is to honor the busy seasons of life but this only works with the understanding that the maintenance of our community is dependent on us all.
-
✺
JOY: this may feel a bit self-explanatory but it is important to our existence and thus threaded throughout our building of connection, resilience, and a sense of belonging together by strengthening relationships, encouraging participation, and enhancing our well-being.
-
✺
CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT: all members are to approach interactions with mutual respect and understanding. We all work together to ensure our commons remain inclusive, uplifting, and aligned with its intended purpose.
✺Guidelines & Policies✺
-
Please respect that this WhatsApp group is for those who identify as Black. If you are not Black, do utilize our social media and this website for updates and resources instead.
-
Please respect all community members: no name-calling, no cursing, and do not spam the group. Be aware of the language you use and be mindful and sensitive to others.
If you start a conversation with another member of the group that exceeds four messages, please start a private chat to avoid the repeated notifications of other members.
It is important to be mindful of privacy and data protection. Never utilize members’ data without express permission. Members who are determined to have breached this guideline will be removed immediately.
-
To maintain the quality of our discussions and ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard, we'd like to introduce a small change regarding advertising.
We ask that businesses and/or service providers who would like to regularly advertise a recurring service/opportunity (e.g. a dealership that offers car tune-ups; a decluttering company offering organizing services, etc.) do so here only on the 15th of each month.
Where there may be an event or a unique promotion that had not been previously promoted (within the last six months or so) these may not be restricted by this guideline however please be mindful of how often the posts are made. If you are unsure, before you post, it is encouraged that you contact an administrator to clarify.
Why the change?
This adjustment is aimed at striking a balance between promoting businesses/services and preserving the engaging, informative, and community-focused discussions and community building that make our group special. By limiting advertising frequency, we create space for diverse content and a better user experience for all members.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in upholding our community standards. As always, we encourage you to actively participate in Black Luck Collective, share your expertise, and engage with fellow members in growing our visible and dependable community.
Thank you for making Black Luck Collective a wonderful place to connect, learn, and grow together.
-
Have a special interest or request? Please contact us with a request to support a specific event idea and/or the creation of a subgroup (e.g. the BLC Parent Group).
-
Always keep in mind that a WhatsApp message will land into someone’s phone. Be sensible about the kind of messages you post and the time you send them. No memes, viral videos, or content that you can find anywhere else on socials.
Business and event posts are encouraged! Business posts can be made on the 15th of each month. Please limit shares to two posts per event. One post to alert the group and one to follow up. Please do not SPAM the group.
-
Never utilize members' information without express permission. Members who are determined to have breached this guideline will be removed immediately.
We would like to remind members that unless there has been a message/invite/update about a meeting, event, etc. from admin or otherwise approved by admin – everything else claiming to represent Black Luck Collective is false and is likely to be a scam. Black Luck Collective will never call individuals to invite or remind them of meetings and/or events.
As part of our community guidelines and agreement, we indicate that “It is important to be vigilant of privacy and data protection. Never utilize members' information without express permission. Members who are determined to have breached this guideline will be removed immediately.”
Here are some general safety measures we can all take to reduce the likelihood of falling for these scams:
Verify the caller: If you receive an unexpected call asking for personal or financial information, don't hesitate to ask for verification. Legitimate callers usually won't mind you confirming their identity.
Avoid sharing personal information: Be cautious about sharing sensitive details over the phone. Banks or legitimate organizations typically won't ask for full account numbers or passwords over the phone.
Use call-blocking features: Many phones have call-blocking options or apps that can help filter out potential scam calls. Consider utilizing these features to minimize exposure to fraudulent calls.
Report suspicious calls: If you suspect a call is a scam, report it to relevant authorities or to https://www.ontario.ca/page/identify-scam-or-fraud. Reporting can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.
Think before you click: Be cautious of unexpected emails, links, or messages, especially if they ask for personal information or financial details.
Educate others: Spread awareness about common scam tactics and encourage friends and family to stay vigilant. Sometimes, a simple conversation can prevent someone from falling for a scam.
Thank you once again for your diligence and for contributing to our collective safety. Let's continue to support each other and remain informed to protect ourselves against these fraudulent attempts.
Shared resources & events
Black Luck members have shared these resources and events which will be periodically updated.
Bookmark those of interest and check back here for new postings!
