Grassroots sustainability for The Liberator [donate]

Thank you Zakia Henderson-Brown, who became our 36th North Star on May 14th. (2010 goal = 60)

The Liberator Magazine (the one you can hold in your hand) is published through the generous and faithful support of our North Star monthly donors, including both readers and staff.

Our 24th issue is currently circumnavigating Planet Earth, from "West+East+South-Africa", to "West+East+North+South-UnitedStates", to Europe and Canada.

This current issue was funded through the financial contributions of our North Star monthly donors. This collective serves as our board of community investors, so to speak.

Each of our North Star members gives $1 or more each month to collectively support the magazine and its function in communities worldwide. It sounds like so little, but it adds up fast. Our average donation is $15 a month. And we take these funds and print The Liberator. Our goal for 2010 is to grow to 60 members, which would guarantee the grassroots sustainability of The Liberator printing four issues each year -- reaching 15,000 readers in 11 countries and 10 U.S. metropolitan areas totally independent of corporate sponsorship.

We know that many in our community cannot afford to contribute financially, however if a fraction of those who can, take the leap and do, then hundreds of communities around the world can continue to belong to this growing, consistent, collective conversation that is deeply rooted in art, culture, education, politics and truth. We think it is simply a matter of when, not if; as we continue to broaden our exposure globally (thank you, Bro. Malcolm) and link with more and more communities around the globe for whom this ongoing Liberator conversation has great value in terms of inspiring, educating, and celebrating our communities on our own terms.

It took time, and patience, to come this far -- 126 volunteer contributing writers, 46 volunteer photographers and illustrators, 20 volunteer distributors in 20 cities, 9 volunteer regular staff editors (all pursuing advanced degrees, artistic, and professional careers independently, and sustaining families in the between time) -- and we know it will take time, and patience, to get further. We believe we'll get there, together -- make no mistake, this project owes its success thus far to a tremendous and focused consistent, collective effort.

If you would like to help sustain The Liberator, please take a moment to read our pledge letter and sign up to contribute at least $1 a month by becoming a North Star monthly donor at this link:

liberatormagazine.com/northstars

(All donations go to printing and shipping costs. Many thanks to all of our current North Star members for your support.)