GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE January 14, 2000

communitygroups

BlackOut receives IRS non-profit tax exempt status

Cleveland-Ohio's premier organization serving the African American samegender-loving community has reached an important milestone in its development. On December 31, 1999, BlackOut Unlimited was granted tax-exempt status from the IRS under section 501(c)(3).

The development makes Black Out the first organization exclusively serving the needs of the African American SGL community in Ohio to reach such a milestone.

"When we established Black Out three years ago, our goal was just to provide

some much-needed programming to our own community," said Black Out cofounder Larry Webb. "We had no idea at the time that it would lead to our becoming a certified non-profit organization with the ability to do even more for our community."

Black Out Unlimited has been officially operating as a not-for-profit organization for over a year, following the creation of a board or trustees.

The new focus has allowed the organization to devote more time and energy to

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its educational and cultural programs.

"Of the many 'firsts' that we have achieved over the years, this is probably the most important," explained co-founder Derek Barnett. "Tax-exempt status is essential to any not-for-profit organization, because it will allow us to seek funding from a broader range of public and private sources."

Under the IRS code that governs nonprofit organizations, the status means that not only will BlackOut Unlimited be exempt from sales tax and other forms of taxes, but also that private donations to

the organization will be tax deductible.

Founded in 1997, Black Out Unlimited exclusively serves the needs of the African American same gender loving community.

Activities include Club 1722 Youth Project, a quarterly conversation series, an entertainment series and BlackOut Weekend, Ohio's first and largest annual event for the African American SGL community.

For more information, contact BlackOut Unlimited at 888-825-5226 (888TALK 2 BO) or blkout@hotmail.com.

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Insight celebrates five years of networking dinners

Cleveland-Insight, the city's premier alternative personal, business and social networking organization, is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Insight was established in 1994. It was formed to bring together people that represent some of the best gay men and women in our community.

The group offers a chance for people to get together and enjoy dinner with new and old friends, and network on a professional and personal basis. At the dinners they usually have experts speak on such subjects as real estate, investing, tax tips, gardening, travel, health, fitness, and law as they pertain to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and gay friendly community.

Since its inception, Insight has continued to fulfill its original purpose. First, they had three Masquerade Charity Balls that raised $10,000 for Cleveland charities. Second, they have held special events such as theater and wine tasting parties, offered discount tickets for plays at the Dobama Theatre and the

Community Groups

The "Community Groups” columns on this page are published by the Gay People's Chronicle free of charge, as a public service. They are written by members or officers of each nonprofit organization, reflecting the views of their group.

If your organization would like to submit a column for this page, contact the Chronicle's managing editor, Doreen Cudnik, at 216-631-8646, toll-free 800-426-5947, or e-mail editor @chronohio.com.

North Coast Men's Chorus, and other events. Third, they have held 57 monthly dinners with 53 speakers.

Insight is currently involved in the Tile Project, a fundraiser for the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center's upcoming relocation. At each dinner, funds are collected to purchase tiles.

History was made on December 13, 1999. Insight completed five full years of monthly dinners, and there was a record of 84 dinner guests. For the future, Insight plans to hold combined dinners with other local lesbian and gay organizations, have special events, continue to raise funds for local charities, and much more.

Insight members, their friends and other diners come from many Northeastern Ohio cities including Cleveland and its suburbs, Akron and its suburbs, Ashtabula, Medina, Elyria, Twinsburg, Newbury, Huron, Oberlin, and almost every city in between.

Yearly membership is optional and open to everyone. To date, there are 95 members that take advantage of discounted monthly dinners and special events. Also, each year there is a member appreciation dinner where members pay a drastically reduced price for dinner.

The date for each monthly dinner is available in Charlie's Calendar about two weeks beforehand. Call the Insight voice mail at 216-556-0576 to hear the location of the restaurant, the menu choices, and to make your reservations. Membership can be paid by mail or at any monthly dinner. Also call the Insight voice mail to hear about upcoming social or special events, and Special Interest Groups.

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