Why We Need This Now

IYKYK is no longer viable, knowledge is power

Communities often have incredible resources and support networks, but if you don’t know where—or how—to find them, they might as well not exist.I.V.O.R. arrives at a moment when Black queer people urgently need centralized, culturally competent information that they can trust, rather than sifting through impersonal directories or corporate platforms with commercial motives.

By launching I.V.O.R now, we leverage advances in chatbot tech, and digital knowledge management; grounding knowledge sharing in our best traditions of community organising, while ensuring our digital solutions remain rooted in the care, history, and warmth emblematic of UK Black queer life.

Our Approach & Rationale

What makes our approach different?

I.V.O.R isn't just another chatbot—it's a community-driven platform that puts relationship-building at its core, and champions community knowledge and insight.

taking action

Register your interest @BLKOUT NXT
[ ] Join the data sharing working group as a user or on behalf of your organisationAdd to IVOR’s Resource Directory
[ ] Submit your organization or initiative for listing – Boost your visibility and connect with users who need your services.Request Chatbot Beta Access
[ ] Help us refine and improve user experience – Shape how the AI interacts with real-world community needs.Promote Your Events
[ ] Contribute to the shared calendar, share others' initiatives, and reach new audiences – Ensure every workshop, support group, or social event organised by and for us has a central spotlight.Share Community Wisdom
[ ] Submit highlights or success stories for the rotating newsletter – Honour our collective triumphs and inspire others with first-hand insights.

why i.v.o.r.?

Informed Voice On Resources and Ivor Cummings OBE (1912-92)

Ivor Cummings (1913-1992) serves as perfect inspiration for this resource because:He was a notable Black gay man in British history who maintained extensive networks with Black people in the UK and globally. He was known for his ability to connect people with resources and opportunities. He navigated complex systems while maintaining his identity. His role in hosting gatherings that brought people together mirrors the function of this toolThe IVOR chatbot will not claim to be Cummings himself, but rather a digital homage that embodies his spirit of connection, knowledge-sharing, and community support. It will operate through a character-driven Interface, with a conversational style that reflects aspects of Cummings' personality and historical context, using visual design elements that reference the 1930/40s while remaining contemporary. The introductory sequence will briefly explains who Cummings was and how this tool honours his legacy

key objectives

Centralize Community Resources
A single, trustworthy portal for mental health, housing, healthcare, social events, arts, and more.
Why It Matters: By removing guesswork, people find the right support faster, lowering isolation and stress.Highlight Organizational Collaboration
Shine a light on how groups partner and overlap, fostering synergy.
Why It Matters: Visibility of these connections deepens trust in our ecosystem, encouraging allies and stakeholders to support multiple initiatives collectively.Reduce Isolation & Fragmentation
Provide clarity on who’s doing what, where, and how to connect.
Why It Matters: Bringing people together strengthens existing efforts, prevents duplication, and ensures nobody falls through the cracks for lack of information.Preserve Cultural Memory
Document our communal wisdom and achievements with monthly newsletters and event archives.
Why It Matters: Each story, event, and achievement gets archived for future generations, creating a living record of how we’ve built resilience and community power.

phased implementation

Phase 1 (Months 1–2):
FOUNDATION
Partnership building, historical research for Ivor’s persona, platform selectionPhase 2 (Months 2–4):
DEVELOPMENT
Chatbot construction, calendar integration, editorial workflow for newslettersPhase 3 (Months 5–6):
LAUNCH AND ONGOING REFINEMENT
Public launch, promotional campaign, and initial impact metrics tracking