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Event Hosting Guide for Supporters/Allies
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✳︎ Event Hosting Guide for Supporters/Allies ✳︎
Hosting Events for Black Birders Week
Key Expectations for Non-Black Supporters & Allies
As you plan to host an event in support of Black Birders Week, thank you for your interest in uplifting our mission. To ensure your event truly honors the spirit of the week and centers Black voices, please keep the following critical guidelines in mind:
1. Black leadership must be built into your event.
A Black person must be leading or co-leading programming. This is non-negotiable. If no Black voices are shaping, directing, or featured in your event, it should not be promoted or celebrated as part of Black Birders Week.
2. Be specific and transparent in your marketing.
When sharing your event, explicitly name who the Black lead(s) or co-lead(s) are, and describe their role in shaping the content. For example:
“This panel is co-led by [Black Birders Week organizer’s name] and will feature [Black speakers’ names] discussing XYZ.”
“Our bird walk is planned and facilitated by [Black birder’s name], with support from our organization.”
3. Vague details don’t count as support.
If your event description does not clearly show how Black people are leading, speaking, or shaping the experience, it does not demonstrate alignment with our mission. Avoid generic language like “in celebration of Black Birders Week” without also naming Black leadership.
4. Amplify, don’t overshadow.
Use your platform to direct attention to Black-led organizations, Black birders, and Black content creators. If you’re hosting alongside a Black-led group, make that partnership clear and center their guidance.
Black Birders Week was created by and for Black people. Supporters are welcome – but only when Black voices are not an afterthought, a checkbox, or invisible. Please ensure your event reflects that.
Thank you for your commitment to accountability and true partnership.
