Black Infrastructure Trust (BIT) Charter

Preamble

We, the members of the Black Infrastructure Trust, recognizing the historic and ongoing exclusion of Black communities from wealth, safety, and self-determination, hereby establish this Charter to create, manage, and sustain institutions owned and controlled by Black people. BIT exists to build economic, social, and cultural infrastructure that ensures survival, dignity, and prosperity for present and future generations.

Article I: Name and Purpose

1. The name of this organization shall be Black Infrastructure Trust (BIT).
2. Purpose: BIT shall:
   • Create and maintain community-controlled infrastructure, including childcare, education, housing, healthcare, and land ownership.
   • Generate collective wealth through cooperative economic activity, ensuring all members are co-owners of the enterprise.
   • Empower Black communities through participatory governance, financial literacy, and long-term strategic planning.
   • Serve as a national framework supporting local Collectives while maintaining shared standards of accountability, transparency, and equity.

Article II: Membership

1. Eligibility: preferred membership offered to Descendants of African-Americans enslaved by the U.S. government
2. Membership is open to all Black individuals willing to commit resources and participate in collective governance.
3. Membership Contributions:
   • Minimum: $1 per week (or an agreed-upon contribution schedule) to fund projects.
   • Contributions are pooled to finance projects and investments owned collectively by members.
4. Rights:
   • Equal voting rights in governance decisions.
   • Access to financial reports and updates on project progress.
   • Ability to propose new projects or initiatives within BIT.
5. Responsibilities:
   • Uphold BIT’s mission and values.
   • Participate in governance processes, including elections and project oversight.
   • Contribute financially according to the agreed schedule.

Article III: Governance

1. National Board of Trustees:
   • Provides strategic oversight and fiduciary responsibility.
   • Ensures adherence to BIT principles, accountability, and transparency.
   • Members of the Board are elected by BIT members for a fixed terms.
2. Local Collectives:
   • Local or regional branches responsible for implementing projects, managing operations, and ensuring community engagement.
   • Each Collective maintains autonomy over local initiatives while adhering to BIT’s core mission.
3. Decision-Making:
   • Decisions shall be made democratically, with each member having one vote.
   • Major decisions (new projects, budget allocations, governance changes) require approval from the membership body.

Article IV: Projects and Assets

1. All projects and assets funded through BIT contributions are collectively owned by the members.
2. BIT shall prioritize projects that:
   • Directly improve quality of life for Black communities.
   • Build long-term wealth and sustainability.
   • Empower future generations through education and infrastructure.
3. Asset Management:
   • Projects and funds are managed transparently.
   • Annual audits and public reporting are mandatory.
   • Surpluses are partially reinvested into BIT projects to fund new initiatives and sustain existing operations.
   • Any profits distributed to members are allocated proportionally based on each individual’s total contributions, including labor and financial input.

Article V: Accountability and Transparency

1. BIT shall maintain strict transparency in all financial and operational matters.
2. Members shall have access to:
   • Monthly financial statements.
   • Project progress reports.
   • Voting records and governance minutes.
3. Violations of fiduciary or ethical standards will result in corrective action, up to and including removal from governance positions.

Article VI: Amendments

1. Amendments to this charter may be proposed by any member.
2. Adoption of amendments requires a supermajority vote (e.g., 2/3) of members participating in a formal vote.

Article VII: Dissolution

1. In the event BIT is dissolved, all remaining assets shall be transferred to a successor organization with a similar mission, ensuring continued benefit to Black communities.
2. Assets may never revert to external corporations or entities outside the membership body.

Article VIII: Core Principles

• Collective Ownership: Every member is a co-owner; every project belongs to the community.
• Self-Determination: Decisions are made by members, for members.
• Sustainability: Projects are built to last and empower future generations.
• Transparency: Full disclosure of finances, governance, and operations.
• Accountability: Leaders are accountable to the membership, not external interests.
• Liberation-Oriented Economics: Wealth creation serves collective empowerment, not individual enrichment.

Article IX: Local Collectives

Section 1: Purpose

Local Collectives are the operational arms of BIT, responsible for implementing projects in their communities, including childcare, housing, education, healthcare, and land acquisition. Each Collective is member-owned, ensuring that contributors to the projects are co-owners with a direct stake in the success of their initiatives.

Section 2: Legal Structure

1. Each Local Collective shall operate as a worker cooperative or cooperative LLC, as permitted by state law.
2. Local Collectives must comply with all applicable state and federal laws for cooperatives and maintain alignment with BIT’s mission and principles.
3. The legal entity type of each Collective is independent from the national BIT 501(c)(4) organization, but all must adhere to BIT governance and financial standards.

Section 3: Membership and Ownership

1. Membership in a Local Collective is open to all contributors willing to participate in operations and governance.
2. Each member is a co-owner, with ownership shares representing both financial contributions and labor/participation.
3. Membership rights include:
   • Voting: One member, one vote for governance decisions.
   • Profit Participation: Distribution of profits based on each member’s proportion of total contributions (financial and labor).
   • Proposal Rights: Ability to propose new projects, initiatives, or operational improvements.

Section 4: Governance

1. Each Local Collective shall have a Management Council elected by its members to oversee operations, project implementation, and finances.
2. Decisions regarding budget allocation, hiring, and project priorities must be made democratically, with all members participating in votes for major decisions.
3. The Local Collective shall report regularly to the national BIT Board of Trustees to ensure alignment with overall BIT strategy and principles.

Section 5: Financial Management

1. Contributions collected locally are pooled to fund projects within the Collective and are owned collectively by members.
2. Surpluses are allocated as follows:
   • Reinvestment: A portion is reinvested in ongoing projects and future initiatives.
   • Profit Distribution: Profits are distributed to members proportionally based on total contributions, including both financial input and labor participation.
3. Local Collectives shall maintain transparent financial records, conduct regular audits, and provide reports to all members.

Section 6: Accountability and Compliance

1. Local Collectives must adhere to BIT’s principles of transparency, accountability, and collective ownership.
2. Violations of governance, financial, or ethical standards may result in corrective action, including suspension or removal from the Collective.
3. Local Collectives are responsible for ensuring that project operations meet community needs, ethical standards, and sustainability goals.

Section 7: Alignment with BIT Mission

All Local Collectives must operate in a manner that:

• Advances the collective wealth and infrastructure of Black communities.
• Empowers members with decision-making authority and co-ownership rights.
• Fosters long-term sustainability and resilience, independent of external institutions.

               This unified charter:

• Establishes national BIT governance and oversight.
• Clearly defines membership, contributions, and co-ownership.
• Provides legal and operational guidance for worker cooperative Local Collectives.
• Aligns profit-sharing, reinvestment, and transparency with BIT’s mission of collective liberation.