Code Gavel's 18th November blog post outlines a checklist for Web3 founders, including founders building "a DeFi protocol, an NFT marketplace, or a DAO-driven social platform". I have been exploring the pros and cons of Afrogoth being a Decentralized Autonomous Organization and this checklist offers another opportunity to continue this exploration. First, the basics: the foundational clarity, which includes defining the problem clearly, mapping stakeholders and selecting the right business model.

I recently watched "How Industry Victim Became the Most Feared Supermodel – Naomi Campbell" and it touches on some of the inefficiencies that Afrogoth solves through decentralization. At minute 17:41, the video goes into the story of "The Diversity Coalition". At minute 19:28 the narrator mentions that the "Difficult Diva" narrative got recontextualized. At minute 21:37, we are informed that after 30 years in the fashion industry, Naomi Campbell, at age 48, finally gets a major beauty contract. At minute 22:37 we learn that Naomi outlasted all those who said she was "too dark, too difficult, too much." (As a bonus, at minute 21:11, Naomi is wearing a beautiful gothic dress!). Afrogoth challenges the "diversity illusion" and other fashion industry norms. As an A.I.-native fashion movement, Afrogoth embraces new methods of creation, thereby democratizing who gets to be a fashion designer and also what even is considered "African fashion".

Afrogothers are curious, playful, global citizens who love the stories and histories that clothes tell. Afrogoth focuses on this psychographic rather than on any specific demographic. Afrogothers can be Gen Z's or Boomers. They can be goths or just curious about goths. They can be Africans, Asians, Europeans or of mixed-heritage. Many are "prosumers" - consumers who produce. Most will be creators: from writers, filmmakers, tech enthusiasts to fashion designers.

Afrogoth is a community-first organization and this is reflected in its business model which is subscription-based with three tiers. Additionally, because of Africa's "demographic dividend" (NOT "demographic bomb"!) Afrogoth will gift first time members from Africa who are between 18 and 35 a free one year bronze membership. Sustainability is also important to Afrogoth so any individuals or organizations with sustainability at the core of their activities will also receive a free one year bronze membership.

Code Gavel notes that a business model "affects governance, funding and scaling". Skipping to "Community and Communication", we are informed that "Community is the foundation of every successful Web3 project". They recommend building in public, rewarding authentic participation and moderating responsibly by establishing "clear community standards and governance norms to prevent misinformation or manipulation." Afrogoth subscribes to the African philosophy of Ubuntu - I am because we are and also to the RECONCILIATION framework which I developed in September: Respect, Empathy, Candid, Optimism, "No" (Boundaries), Communication, Integrity, Leadership, Integrity (yes, again!), Acknowledge, Trust, Integrity (yes, for the third time!), Optimism (again) and Non-negotiables.

For now, I am playing all the four main roles in Afrogoth: vision weaver (Chief storyteller), system navigator (strategist including A.I. strategy), community organizer (mobilizing people and resources) and healer/bridge builder (confronting history, creating bridges between cultures). As Afrogothers increase, they will take up these roles, freeing me up to concentrate on leadership and helping Afrogoth to avoid one of the mistakes outlined by Code Gavel: "Many “decentralized” projects remain controlled by a few wallets or founders. Ensure fair decision-making and community participation through transparent governance structures."