Originally posted by MBM:
Any community can only be as strong as its members make it. AfricanAmerica.org is certainly no exception to that. If you find value in your interactions here - whether in the forums, or via our radio show, or whatever else that you may enjoy - then please consider supporting us so that we can remain healthy and grow.
In the same way that we all bring a variety of experiences and perspectives to our interactions, we also each have our own capabilities that we can invest in AfricanAmerica.org. To some, it will be easier to periodically PayPal us your support. For others, it will be contributing in non-cash ways - which are equally as valuable.
Here are a variety of ways that you can support AfricanAmerica.org:
FINANCIAL
Donate! The site costs money to maintain. Server and bandwidth costs increase with every post. Your cash donation via the PayPal link on the bottom of the categories and forums page is an extremely effective way of supporting us.
Frequent our Sponsors! Every time a member clicks a link to one of our sponsors the community gets a few pennies. If many of us clicked on the links every time we come here, the support generated could be meaningful.
Use our Amazon Store! On the AfricanAmerica.org Portal page - found at AfricanAmerica.org, there is an Amazon store with books and music that I have recommended. If you purchase something there (at standard Amazon prices), then the community gets a small commission. Again, if more of us did that, the numbers could become meaningful.
Buy 'RBG Gear'! Go here where you can purchase a variety of items with the red,black, and green Pan African flag on it. Again, each sale there generates a small commission to our community.
NON FINANCIAL
Be Active! An active member is a good member. Your perspectives, posted throughout AfricanAmerica.org, keeps the site fresh and dynamic. Just coming and posting is a great way to support us.
Post New Topics! Starting new threads is a great way to contribute to our community. It injects new energy into the site and, since most of us are better at responding to posts, new threads represent fresh, new opportunities to keep the site active.
Explore Different Forums! We are all creatures of habit. Most of us probably visit the same forums every time we come. Every now and then check out a new forum and post something in a forum that you've never posted in before. Again, the injection of new energy will be a great lift to our community!
Use StumbleUpon! The social networking phenomenon has taken over the web. StumbleUpon is a fantastic tool that takes your feedback (via thumbs up and down buttons) and brings you sites according to your preferences. By having this toolbar, and voting for content here that you like, you will also be recommending it to others who have this toolbar. This brings AfricanAmerica.org new members that are vital to our health and growth.
Take Ownership! Various forums and threads really thrive when individual members take real ownership of them. If you have a particular interest in something here, dive in and make it your own!
Blog! Blogging is the rage these days. You can start your own blog at AfricanAmerica.org without the hassle of software, servers, etc. You can customize it to your liking and share your thoughts with the world about anything and everything!
Invite Friends! We need more members here who can contribute to our mission of all things Intelligent. Black & Community. Do you know friends who you think would also appreciate our community? Invite them to join us.
Call/Listen to AfricanAmerica.org Radio! Our radio show is growing and improving every week. We are getting more listeners and more callers; the shows are a great way to extend what makes our community special to a new medium. It's a talk radio show and we need your participation! Listen in live on Thursday's at 9PM Eastern. Call in and let us know what's on your mind. You should know that the shows are also available via podcast. Listen in to the latest show via the media players located throughout the site. Past shows are also available by clicking a blogtalkradio link or by going here. Also, post your feedback or suggestions in the AfricanAmerica.org Radio thread.
Spread The Word! Many of you are also members at other black oriented sites. Mention this community there. Paste links there to interesting content here. Put "AfricanAmerica.org" in your "signature" on those sites. Help to spread the word at other sites that may have potential new members.
Give us Your Feedback! To be better we need your feedback. Please don't hesitate to tell us what you like. More important, though, please tell us what you don't like. That's how we move forward and improve!