Terms of Service

black.wiki is operated by Black.Wiki, Inc., a Florida nonprofit corporation that has applied for 501(c)(3) status. By accessing or using black.wiki you agree to these Terms of Service. If you don't agree, please don't use the site.

black.wiki is a community directory and publishing platform documenting Black-owned businesses, Black cultural landmarks, notable Black figures, community events, and original writing. Some content is contributed by our team; most is contributed by the community.

black.wiki exists to document and celebrate Black Excellence. For purposes of these Terms, “Black Excellence” means the achievements, contributions, creativity, leadership, craft, scholarship, entrepreneurship, organizing, artistry, and everyday brilliance of people of Black African descent — across the diaspora, across generations, and across every field of human endeavor.

We use the term broadly and intentionally:

• It is not limited to fame. Excellence includes the everyday work of small business owners, educators, organizers, caregivers, tradespeople, and neighbors whose contributions rarely make headlines.
• It is not limited to a single field. Art, music, film, literature, science, technology, medicine, athletics, law, food, faith, fashion, finance, and the craft of everyday life all count.
• It is rooted in history. The platform preserves landmarks, lineages, and stories that connect present-day work to the long arc of Black contributions to the world.
• It is not gatekeeping. Inclusion on black.wiki does not require fame, awards, credentials, or any single definition of success. It does require being Black-owned, Black-led, or about a Black person, place, or cultural moment.
• It is not a guarantee. Calling something “Black Excellence” on this site is editorial framing, not a warranty (see “No guarantees on content” below).

We reserve editorial discretion over what we curate, feature, and accept into the directory in keeping with this definition.

All content on black.wiki is provided “as-is”, without warranties of any kind. That includes — but is not limited to — directory listings, news posts, Black History stories, On Stage features, Homage entries, Sayings, Polls, comments, third-party embeds (Threads, YouTube, and the like), and information returned by the Ask widget.

• We do not verify everything. Many directory entries, stories, and features come from community submissions or curated public sources. We attempt good-faith accuracy and remove obvious abuse, but we cannot guarantee that any individual listing or piece of content is accurate, current, complete, lawful, safe, or non-infringing.
• We do not endorse user-submitted content. Inclusion of a business, person, story, or comment is not an endorsement, recommendation, certification, or guarantee of quality by Black.Wiki, Inc.
• Third-party embeds are not ours. When a page embeds a Threads post, a YouTube video, an image, or any external content, that content belongs to the third party that published it. Black.Wiki, Inc. does not control, vet, or warrant any embedded content and is not responsible for changes to or removal of such content by the third party.
• AI features are not advice. The Ask widget, AI Compose, and other AI-assisted features are best-effort tools — not professional, legal, medical, financial, tax, or any other kind of advice. Verify before acting.
• Comments and forums. Comments are written by users. Black.Wiki, Inc. is not the speaker and does not adopt or endorse anything any user posts. We moderate when something is flagged or surfaces in automated review.
• You rely on content at your own risk. Before visiting, transacting with, donating to, or otherwise relying on any listing or content, you are responsible for verifying the information independently.
• No professional relationship. Use of black.wiki does not create an attorney-client, doctor-patient, fiduciary, or other professional relationship with Black.Wiki, Inc., its directors, officers, employees, or contractors.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Black.Wiki, Inc. disclaims all warranties — express, implied, statutory, or otherwise — including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, and non-infringement.

When you submit content (directory entries, stories, comments, images, etc.) you represent that you have the right to share it and that it complies with these Terms. You grant Black.Wiki, Inc. a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable license to host, display, reproduce, modify (for formatting / moderation / featuring), distribute, and otherwise use your contributions on and in connection with the platform.

You remain responsible for your contributions. You agree not to post content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, hateful, infringing, deceptive, or that violates anyone's privacy or publicity rights. We may remove content, suspend accounts, or decline submissions at our discretion.

Other than user-contributed content and third-party embeds, the black.wiki platform, design, code, branding, and documentation are the property of Black.Wiki, Inc. Nothing here grants you a license to use Black.Wiki, Inc.'s trademarks or other intellectual property without permission.

If you believe content on black.wiki infringes your copyright, email us at contact@black.wiki with a takedown notice that includes the material at issue, a statement of your good-faith belief that the use is unauthorized, and your contact information.

Black.Wiki, Inc. is a Florida nonprofit corporation. We have applied for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. Once approved, donations will be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law, retroactive to our incorporation date. Until the determination letter arrives, please do not represent donations as tax-deductible in your own records.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Black.Wiki, Inc., its directors, officers, employees, contractors, and partners will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of black.wiki, the inability to use it, or reliance on any content. In any case, our aggregate liability is limited to the amount you have paid us in the prior 12 months (likely zero).

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “Last updated” date above and, where appropriate, by notifying you in-product. Your continued use after a change constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Questions? Email contact@black.wiki.