The Gumbo

WELCOME TO THE GUMBO

The Gumbo is a Hip-Hop social club and media platform created with Black women’s voices in mind. Our intention is to transform how these bodies view themselves, how they view music, how they view the structures and systems that operate around them and amplify the voices of women making plays in the field. 

THE PROBLEM

Communities are important because they provide support to a group of people who are impacted by the world in a similar way. Community becomes doubly important when we talk about Black women, and moreover Black women in music, media, and entertainment, where our voices risk being stolen or ignored altogether.  

THE MISSION

As a Black woman working in the entertainment industry and previously as a Hip-Hop journalist, I have come face-to-face with the chronic lack of representation in these spaces. This same deficit of genuine representation is reflected in the music, podcasts, events and articles that rely us on for content.

Through editorial content, online and offline events and the dissemination of vital information on developments in the culture, The Gumbo aims to inspire creative leadership and contribute to a cultural shift that reframes, re-energizes, and reimagines women and their relationship with Hip-Hop. 

I created The Gumbo to be a safe space that allows all Black women who love Hip-Hop to be themselves with no restrictions. Writers, DJs, producers, engineers, artists, rappers, designers, and overall lovers of Hip-Hop, this one is for you.

THE SOLUTION

The Gumbo is a hub that showcases the multi-dimensional experience of Hip-Hop and its consumers on a global scale, and aims to reframe, re-energize and reimagine its role as a purveyor of womanism, activism, musical innovation, fashion and politics.

Membership is free, because how could we charge you to join something that is YOURS? All you have to do is click “join” on our website. Included with membership is priority access to free events and merchandise, exclusive monthly meet-ups and discounted tickets to paid events. 

We are in a time where social clubs are becoming more and more popular, while dues and travel expenses sometimes make it difficult for people to get to spaces and enjoy experiences. Our goal is to eliminate these initial costs, and only charge you for the experiences YOU want. 

2020 PLANS

More events, more contributors, more gumbo.

Interested members will be able to join on our website. If you're interested in learning more about how to get involved, you should email [email protected].

PROGRAMMING & EVENTS

Programming at The Gumbo is meant to uplift, support and broaden the experience of Black women who love Hip-Hop. We will work with organizations, groups and companies that believe in our mission.

We will partner with:

• Television networks and production companies to trial and preview new shows, movies and documentaries that discuss the music industry and Hip-Hop.
• Local restaurants and bars for member meet-ups and events.
• Organizations on the ground doing work in our communities, specifically those dedicated to Black womanhood.
• Studios and music labels to promote Black women musicians by hosting open mic and interview sessions.

PRESS & TRACTION

Since getting started last year, we've created a network of over 5,000 people, hosted events and are constantly growing. 

We have been featured in The Lifestyle NYC, Melanation, HelloBeautiful and more. Our work has been shared by Megan Thee Stallion, Rico Nasty Mia X and more.

WHY CROWDFUNDING

“Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn: ‘An entrepreneur is someone who will jump off a cliff and assemble an airplane on the way down.’ But for Black women entrepreneurs, Gines quickly adds, ‘they do it with only a toothpick and a napkin.’ What he means is that black women entrepreneurs typically lack the resources and capital to launch, yet take-off they do — in droves.” - Forbes

As the founder of The Gumbo, I spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about how to fund this club. Because my goal is to amplify the voices of a group marginalized within our own culture and create a community, I felt that it would only make sense to start raising capital from the people who believe in this mission.  

Nadirah Simmons, Founder & CEO

All funds raised on the iFundWomen platform will be used to pay contributors, fund programming and create merchandise.