Community Guidelines

Welcome to the SBB Community

Support Buying Black (SBB) is a community-driven platform dedicated to empowering Black-owned businesses and fostering meaningful connections. Our mission is to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where community members can thrive.

These Community Guidelines outline our expectations for behavior on the Platform. By using SBB, you agree to follow these guidelines and help us maintain a positive community culture.

Our Core Values

1. Respect and Dignity

Treat all community members with respect, dignity, and kindness. We celebrate diversity and value every individual's contributions.

2. Authenticity

Be genuine and honest in your interactions. Authentic connections build stronger communities.

3. Empowerment

Support Black-owned businesses and community initiatives. Lift others up and celebrate their successes.

4. Accountability

Take responsibility for your actions and their impact on others. Learn from mistakes and grow together.

5. Collaboration

Work together toward our shared mission. Community strength comes from collective effort.

What We Welcome

Positive Contributions

• Support Black-owned businesses: Purchase, review, and recommend products and services
• Share authentic stories: Post about your experiences, challenges, and successes
• Educational content: Share knowledge, resources, and learning opportunities
• Community engagement: Participate in discussions, events, and initiatives
• Constructive feedback: Offer helpful suggestions and thoughtful critiques
• Celebration: Recognize achievements and milestones in the community
• Collaboration: Partner with others on projects and opportunities
• Mentorship: Share your expertise and guide others in their journey

Respectful Discourse

• Disagree respectfully and focus on ideas, not personal attacks
• Listen actively and seek to understand different perspectives
• Acknowledge when you're wrong and be open to learning
• Use inclusive language that respects all identities
• Give credit to others for their ideas and contributions

What We Don't Allow

1. Hate Speech and Discrimination

Prohibited:

• Content that attacks, threatens, or incites violence against individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age
• Slurs, epithets, or derogatory language targeting protected groups
• Symbols, imagery, or gestures associated with hate groups
• Content promoting or praising hate groups or their ideology

2. Harassment and Bullying

Prohibited:

• Targeted harassment of individuals or groups
• Cyberbullying and sustained negative attention
• Doxxing (sharing private information without consent)
• Threats or intimidation
• Stalking or unwanted contact
• Impersonation with intent to deceive or harass
• Revenge porn or non-consensual intimate images

3. Violence and Dangerous Organizations

Prohibited:

• Threats of violence against individuals or groups
• Promotion of terrorism or violent extremism
• Content glorifying, encouraging, or instructing violence
• Recruitment for violent organizations
• Self-harm or suicide promotion

4. Illegal Activities

Prohibited:

• Buying, selling, or facilitating illegal goods or services (drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods, stolen items)
• Fraud, scams, or deceptive practices
• Money laundering or financial crimes
• Hacking, phishing, or identity theft
• Violation of intellectual property rights

5. Sexual Content and Exploitation

Prohibited:

• Sexually explicit content (nudity, sexual acts)
• Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in any form
• Content sexualizing minors
• Non-consensual sexual content
• Sexual solicitation or prostitution
• Sexual harassment

6. Misinformation and Deception

Prohibited:

• Health misinformation that could cause physical harm
• Election misinformation designed to interfere with voting
• Manipulated media (deepfakes) without disclosure
• Impersonation of public figures, brands, or organizations
• Fake accounts or coordinated inauthentic behavior
• False business claims or deceptive practices

7. Spam and Manipulation

Prohibited:

• Unsolicited bulk messages or spam
• Repetitive posts or comments
• Artificially inflating engagement (likes, follows, votes)
• Buying or selling engagement
• Automated behavior (bots) without disclosure
• Cryptocurrency scams and pump-and-dump schemes

Marketplace-Specific Guidelines

For Sellers

Required:

• Accurate product descriptions and pricing
• Clear photos of actual items
• Honest disclosure of condition and defects
• Timely shipping and communication
• Professional customer service
• Compliance with all applicable laws

Prohibited:

• False or misleading listings
• Bait-and-switch tactics
• Failure to ship items
• Counterfeit or stolen goods
• Price gouging during emergencies
• Discrimination against buyers

For Buyers

Required:

• Read listings carefully before purchasing
• Communicate respectfully with sellers
• Pay promptly for purchases
• Leave honest, fair reviews
• Follow dispute resolution procedures

Prohibited:

• False claims or fraudulent chargebacks
• Extortion or threatening negative reviews
• Harassment of sellers
• Abuse of return policies

Event Guidelines

For Event Organizers

Required:

• Accurate event information (date, time, location)
• Clear communication about costs and requirements
• Appropriate permits and insurance
• Safety measures and accessibility considerations
• Cancellation policy and refunds

For Attendees

Required:

• Follow event rules and organizer instructions
• Respect other attendees
• Arrive on time and prepared
• Report safety concerns

DAO Governance Guidelines

Proposal Standards

Required:

• Clear, specific proposal description
• Realistic budget and timeline
• Success metrics and accountability
• Good faith participation in governance

Prohibited:

• Proposals promoting illegal activity
• Misleading or deceptive proposals
• Vote manipulation (buying votes, bribery)
• Sybil attacks (fake accounts to influence votes)

Voting Conduct

Required:

• Review proposals thoroughly
• Vote based on merit and community benefit
• Respect voting outcomes
• Participate in good faith

Enforcement

How We Enforce

We enforce these guidelines through:

• Automated detection: Systems that identify potential violations
• User reports: Community members flagging content
• Human review: Trained moderators reviewing reported content
• Appeals: Process for challenging moderation decisions

Reporting Violations

If you see content that violates these guidelines:

1. Click the report button on the post, comment, or profile
2. Select the violation type
3. Provide additional context (optional)
4. Submit the report

Enforcement Actions

Depending on the severity and frequency of violations, we may:

First Violation (Minor):

• Content removal
• Warning notification
• Educational resources

Repeated Violations:

• Temporary suspension (1-7 days)
• Restricted features (posting, messaging)
• Content visibility reduction

Serious Violations:

• Permanent account suspension
• Content removal
• Report to law enforcement (when legally required)

Zero Tolerance Violations:

Some violations result in immediate permanent suspension:

• Child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
• Terrorist content or recruitment
• Violent threats or plans
• Severe harassment or doxxing

Additional Resources

Support and Safety

• Report Content: Use report button on any post or profile
• Block Users: Profile > Menu > Block
• Privacy Settings: Settings > Privacy

Mental Health Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (call or text)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

Legal and Safety Hotlines

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
• FBI Tips: tips.fbi.gov

Contact Us

• Questions about guidelines: community@supportbuyingblack.com
• Safety concerns: safety@supportbuyingblack.com
• Appeals: appeals@supportbuyingblack.com