Over the past four years, running the community has required significant time, tools, and team support (Nas.io, Typeform, Luma, website, member validation, moderation, etc.). A modest annual fee allows us to cover core operating costs, improve safety and curation, and fund more elevated programming and in‑person experiences.

 The new Habitus community is $50/year for founding members who join before February 7, 2026 (Art & Soul). After that, the standard annual rate will be $100/year.

After the founding period, the annual membership increases from $50 to $100. Future changes will depend on programming costs, scale, and benefits. Any updates will be communicated in advance.

Founding members (those who join before February 7, 2026) receive the $50 introductory rate and help shape the first chapter of Habitus. We are exploring additional benefits such as:

• Discounts on ticketed Heritage Events + Event Gifts Bags

• Recognition as founding members across digital assets

• Potential referral credits toward renewal

• More

Free main chat: One general WhatsApp conversation, minimal monitoring, used for basic connection and announcements.

Paid Habitus Community: Streamlined, pillar-based WhatsApp community; a members directory and private members only resources, curated membership application; stronger safety and vetting; access to more structured programming, vendor visibility, and deeper relationship‑building.

 Chats are organized into four core pillars:

• Growth: Career, business, money, professional development

• Culture: Arts, fashion, design, food, travel, experiences

• Wellness: Physical, mental, emotional, reproductive, and spiritual health

• Connection: Location‑based and identity‑based networking, meetups, and relationship‑building

• Marketing/Promotion: A space where you can buy/sell, promote and refer

 All 31+ sub‑chats are close for new posts. They will remain read‑only for now so you can still search past resources, but new engagement will move into the consolidated pillar-based chats in Habitus.

Yes. The main HerKind chat will reopen as a single, free conversation space for basic connection and updates. The more curated Habitus experience and member‑only benefits require a paid membership.

 Membership funds support:

• Platform and tech costs (Nas.io, Typeform, Luma, website, email, etc.)

• Member verification and moderation

• Virtual Heritage Conversations and expert honorariums

• Quarterly Heritage Events in real life operating capital

• Building the vendor directory and spotlighting member businesses

• Admin support to creating and maintaining resource guides on the website

Yes. Beyond basic overhead, membership dollars fund elevated programming, curated in‑person events, vendor visibility, and resources that create economic opportunities for Black women (e.g., featuring member experts, directing dollars to member-owned businesses).

We are intentionally prioritizing quality over quantity. The initial goal is around 100 founding members—a size that allows real connection, visibility, and curated experiences, even though the broader HerKind audience is much larger. We hope everyone will join the founding membership but the goal is to increase visibility and safety above scale. 2026 is about refinement. Less is More.

1. Complete the membership application (linked in the newsletter, website, and main chat).

2. Confirm your email and WhatsApp number, and agree to the updated community standards.

3. Pay the annual membership fee via Stripe.

4. Receive a welcome email with instructions and links to join the new WhatsApp community. (check spam)

Check your spam/junk folder and whitelist our email address.

If you still don’t see it, email hello@joinherkind.com with your full name and the email used at checkout so our team can manually send your welcome link.

Safety is a core reason for this transition. We:

• Require an application and review process

• Verify identity and WhatsApp number

• Enforce updated community standards and terms

• Actively monitor for bots, scammers, and inappropriate behavior

This reduces the risk and emotional labor that came with an open, free‑for‑all structure.

• Virtual Heritage Conversations (e.g., pelvic floor health with Dr. Jocelyn Rodriguez; Black Arts Fund with Wendy Francois)

• Heritage Events: multi‑hour, in‑person experiences that touch all four pillars (Growth, Culture, Wellness, Connection)

Ongoing spotlights and collaborations with member businesses and professionals

 Yes. HerKind was created for women to actually know and see each other. Members are encouraged to use the Connection pillar to organize informal gatherings (dinners, mom meetups, neighborhood hangs), even as formal HerKind programming becomes more curated.

 The vendor directory is a curated list of member‑owned businesses and service providers (e.g., PR, marketing, law, real estate, creative services, wellness). Vendors receive:

• Inclusion in a searchable directory

• Access to a vendor lounge chat

• Priority for heritage conversations, events, and features

You can express interest through the membership application, via website forms, or by emailing hello@joinherkind.com.

 We’re moving from scattered chat threads to centralized resource guides and blog posts on the website (e.g., hair braiders, OB‑GYNs, Black Santa, neighborhood guides). Members can still ask and share in the chats, but high‑value information will be collected and made easier to find. Members of the Habitus Paid Membership Tier will have full access to these guides first before the general public.

• Join the new Habitus community as a founding member

• Refer aligned women and founders to apply

• Share the “why” if you hear questions in the broader chat

• Offer feedback and ideas for programming and benefits

Tell us about your business or work so we can feature and support you (Apply to join the Vendor Directory)

 For any support or ideas, email hello@joinherkind.com.