ZINES4QUEERS
presents
August 2024
Black Zine Fest is a groundbreaking event celebrating the creativity and brilliance of independent publishers, with a special focus on uplifting Black voices.
This presentation outlines how you can join us in empowering artists who’ve been pushed to the fringes of society; artists with a lot to say and show.
Black Zine Fest is a groundbreaking event celebrating the creativity and brilliance of independent publishers, with a special focus on uplifting Black voices.
This presentation outlines how you can join us in empowering artists who’ve been pushed to the fringes of society; artists with a lot to say and show.
what is Black Zine fest?
what is Black Zine fest?
Black Zine Fest is a dynamic event created to showcase the Black creatives revolutionizing DIY publishing.
The inaugural event, held by Zines4Queers in February 2024 in Los Angeles, California, was a one-day festival featuring over 15 zine vendors, a coffee vendor, and 200+ attendees.
The festival provided a vital platform for Black zinemakers to share their art, connect with the community, and generate income.
The event's atmosphere was vibrant and inclusive, with a strong focus on accessibility and community safety, thanks to measures like required masking and tests available on-site.
Attendees and vendors alike celebrated this historic event, the first of its kind.
Looking ahead, Black Zine Fest aims to expand, with visions of a multi-day festival featuring an even broader array of vendors, workshops, and talks. Our goal is to eliminate vendor fees, offer free attendance, and attract major sponsors to amplify the event's reach and impact.
why black zine fest?
why black zine fest?
our vision + mission
our vision + mission
Our mission is to shake up the DIY publishing world by celebrating Black queer voices through zine-making. We’re here to make zines, break rules, and have fun while turning mainstream narratives upside down.
Black Zine Fest envisions a world where zines continue to be a dynamic platform for Black queer creativity, reflection, resistance. We see a thriving community where everyone can amplify their unique experiences, spark conversations, and redefine what’s possible in the publishing world. Our goal is to make zine culture an unstoppable force for self-expression and collective change.
Black Zine Fest is dedicated to empowering Black queer voices and revolutionizing the DIY publishing world. Through events like Black Zine Fest, we celebrate zine-making as both an act of personal expression and a form of resistance.
about
the organizer
about
the organizer
Zines4Queers is a queer Black zine collective dedicated to revolutionizing DIY publishing. Founded by writer Julie (aka Irie Ingenue) and co-founder, Oumou of @ConnectWithOumou, our collective operates as a publisher, press, and distro, deeply committed to uplifting marginalized voices and inspiring everyone to embrace their inner zinester.
We view zines not only as a platform for personal expression but also as a powerful act of queering the publishing industry. As hosts of the inaugural Black Zine Fest, we are proud of our role in creating this groundbreaking event and are committed to producing more events that foster creativity and support the thriving zine community.
Our mission is to empower individuals to share their unique stories, amplify diverse voices, and challenge mainstream narratives. Connect with us through our works--which include over 15 zines available for sale on our website and at various events throughout the year. We also offer zine workshops and other zine-related events. Black Zine Fest remains our most celebrated event, reflecting our dedication to reshaping the cultural landscape, one zine at a time
our RECIPE FOR
A SUCCESSFUL BLACK ZINE FEST
our RECIPE FOR
A SUCCESSFUL BLACK ZINE FEST
- Created community care expectations that were shared with vendors, volunteers, and attendees.
- Shared the labor of organizing by working with volunteers (whom were offered small stipends).
- Vendors were given breaks for rest, play, nourishment or connection.
- The event was only on one floor with step free access.
- Ample space between exhibitors.
- Masks were required and even provided at the entrance. We also offered free COVID tests, water, and sanitizer for any attendees!
- Vendors were fed delicious pizza as part of their vendor fee.
bzf 2025
Planning ROADMAP
bzf 2025
Planning ROADMAP
Promotion + Community Engagement
DEC - JAN
DEC - JAN
Event Execution +
Follow Up
FEB 2025
FEB 2025
Our timeline is flexible and adaptable, allowing for co-creation and adjustments based on the needs of our partners and the community.
We aim to stay on target while remaining open to collaboration and innovation.
Programming + Logistics
OCT - DEC
OCT - DEC
Initial Planning +
Coordination
AUG - SEPT
AUG - SEPT
proven impact
proven impact
the success of bzf 2024
the success of bzf 2024
BZF 2024
BZF 2024
IMPACT + REACH
IMPACT + REACH
Attendance
Attendance
attendee age range
attendee age range
8 to 75
8 to 75
# of vendors:
# of vendors:
17
estimated attendees
estimated attendees
250+
Financial Overview
Financial Overview
total operational costs
total operational costs
$2800
sponsor + donor funding
sponsor + donor funding
$1600
revenue generated
revenue generated
$2500
net profit
net profit
$1300
Social Media Impact (Instagram)
Social Media Impact (Instagram)
approx impressions
approx impressions
45k
accounts reached
accounts reached
20k
accounts engaged
accounts engaged
followers gained
followers gained
1,200
100% growth in 90 days
100% growth in 90 days
press + feedback
press + feedback
vendor feedback
vendor feedback
Described the event as the best they’ve ever participated in, feeling "spoiled" and empowered. Many sold out of stock and reported this was their first profitable event.
Described the event as the best they’ve ever participated in, feeling "spoiled" and empowered. Many sold out of stock and reported this was their first profitable event.
attendee feedback
attendee feedback
Found the space magical, exciting, and energizing. Many learned about zines for the first time and felt inspired to create their own.
Found the space magical, exciting, and energizing. Many learned about zines for the first time and felt inspired to create their own.
media coverage
media coverage
TESTIMONIALS
TESTIMONIALS
vendor remarks via socials
vendor remarks via socials
@blackzinefest was pure magic. NEVER have I felt so taken care of at a fest. Usually I'm walking around trying to connect with the other 5 black vendors out of 100+ tables. It was so refreshing, so soul-nourishing to be amongst all other black zinesters making friends and cracking jokes.
The music was popping, there were volunteers to give us a break and inform us about what was going on, they fed us, they hydrated us. People looked me in my eyes and asked about my work instead of skipping by to see some alt white man's comic about his breakup and used car troubles. It was truly an experience I will cherish and measure every other zine event by going forward.
Shout out to Julie and Oumou for their care and their vision, they really held us down. Being a black person anywhere comes with pressure and challenges but I didn't feel those for one glorious Saturday in downtown LA. I sold out of almost everything, which never happens.
@blackzinefest, what a communing this was today, thank you @zines4queers for making a space by Black queer folks for Black queer folks & big ups to @reparations.club for sponsoring.
I am a baby ziner (like been doin this quite literally a month and because I saw @connectwithoumou post the application)and I felt so enveloped in warmth & acceptance & a good ass playlist & and such incredible fucking personalities and hearts.
We all know how intimidating art spaces can be and this was just an epic undertaking by @zines4queers - It was life giving to be able to give away all copies of my fridge poems mini Zine & Tips on Navigating the Medical Industrial complex Zine, to learn from others, trade art, have meaningful and silly ass conversation, eat pizza, drink matcha (shout out to @auntiesla ), I just — my brain is a fried egg rn but please let us have many more of these & for this current cohort to continue forward.
TESTIMONIALS
TESTIMONIALS
vendor survey responses
vendor survey responses
Q: Did bzf meet your expectations?
Q: Did bzf meet your expectations?
Q: What was your vendor experience like?
Q: What was your vendor experience like?
bzf 2024:
a visual recap
bzf 2024:
a visual recap
bzf 2024:
a visual recap
bzf 2024:
a visual recap
zooming in
zooming in
planning bzf 2025
with tested strategies
planning bzf 2025
with tested strategies
marketing
marketing
key methods for outreach
key methods for outreach
In-Person Advertising
- Flyers and Posters: Our distribution strategy involved partnering with local hotspots, cafes, and bookstores to display physical flyers and posters.
Word of Mouth
- Organic Growth: We harnessed the power of word-of-mouth marketing, which significantly contributed to the event’s buzz and attendance.
Event Website
- Landing Page: We created a dedicated event website and Eventbrite page, which served as central hubs for driving registrations and providing essential event information.
marketing
marketing
key methods for outreach
key methods for outreach
Social Media Campaign
- Platform Strategy: We primarily utilized platforms like Instagram and TikTok to promote the event via an account started
- Content Types: The campaign included a mix of posts, stories, and reels, which allowed us to showcase event highlights and behind-the-scenes content, engaging followers at every stage.
- Engagement Metrics: We tracked engagement rates, likes, shares, and comments, all of which contributed to the campaign's overall success and visibility.
Email Marketing
- Email List Outreach: We collaborated with local businesses and established zine fests, requesting their support in promoting our event. To facilitate their efforts, we provided them with ready-to-use promotional assets, making it easy for them to share our message with their networks.
Paid Advertising
- Social Media Ads: While a small part of our overall strategy, we utilized paid Instagram ads and digital billboard to reach a broader audience and complement our organic efforts.
social media highlights
social media highlights
merchandise
merchandise
2024 t-shirt DESIGN
2024 t-shirt DESIGN
We designed and handmade a limited batch of event shirts using DIY heat transfer patches, which sold out instantly at the first Black Zine Fest, highlighting the strong demand for our event merchandise.
With more resources or sponsor backing, we could scale production, significantly boosting revenue and further engaging our community.
event flyers
event flyers
BZF 2025
BZF 2025
targeted logistics
targeted logistics
desired conditions
desired conditions
2/22/25
2/22/25
12pm to 6pm
12pm to 6pm
los angeles, ca
los angeles, ca
*free entry
*free entry
target budget
target budget
low-end est: $17,500
low-end est: $17,500
high-end est: $26,000
high-end est: $26,000
BZF 2025
BZF 2025
COST PROJECTIONS
COST PROJECTIONS
target budget
target budget
low-end est: $17,500
low-end est: $17,500
high-end est: $26,000
high-end est: $26,000
MARKETING
MARKETING
Digital and print marketinG = $1,500
Digital and print marketinG = $1,500
MERCHANDISE
MERCHANDISE
T-shirts, tote bags, stickers, etc = $1,500
T-shirts, tote bags, stickers, etc = $1,500
MISC. CONTRACTORS
MISC. CONTRACTORS
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHy, ETC = $1.000 - $3,000
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHy, ETC = $1.000 - $3,000
ORGANIZER PAYMENT
ORGANIZER PAYMENT
(2-3 people): $2,000 p/P = $4,000 - $6,000
(2-3 people): $2,000 p/P = $4,000 - $6,000
press & media kits
press & media kits
press passes and packages for media = $500
press passes and packages for media = $500
PRINTING COSTS
PRINTING COSTS
promotional materials + event guides = $1,500
promotional materials + event guides = $1,500
venue costs
venue costs
rental fees, insurance, etc = $2,000 - $10,000
rental fees, insurance, etc = $2,000 - $10,000
VOLUNTEER STIPENDS
VOLUNTEER STIPENDS
(10-15 volunteers): $100 p/p = $1,000 - $1,500
(10-15 volunteers): $100 p/p = $1,000 - $1,500
zinester care
zinester care
lanyards, meal and snacks for vendors = $1000
lanyards, meal and snacks for vendors = $1000
ZINESTER PAYMENT
ZINESTER PAYMENT
35 zinesters, w/ $100 stipends: $3,500
35 zinesters, w/ $100 stipends: $3,500
COMPARATIVE INSIGHT
COMPARATIVE INSIGHT
operating costs of similar events
operating costs of similar events
LA ZINE FEST 2O24
LA ZINE FEST 2O24
BASE COSTS
$1980 SECURITY DEPOSIT
$6000 VENUE RENTAL FEE
$3500 DAMAGE DEPOSIT
- A well-established festival provides a useful benchmark for the scale we aim to achieve.
- Featured 147 vendors, with sliding scale fees: $50-$75 for half tables, $100-$150 for full tables.
- The event was free for attendees, which highlights the potential for broadening access when donor support is strong. Attendee count was upwards of 1500.
- LAZF had a compact vendor arrangement, which maximized space efficiency, but also led to a closer vendor setup and warmer conditions.
- Illustrates some of the trade-offs that come with balancing costs and experience of vendors and attendees.
SAD FAIR 2024
SAD FAIR 2024
SICK AND DISABLED FAIR
EXPENSES
Shipping............... $335.25
Merch.................... $553.29
Website ................. $98.00
Interpreters..........$945.00
*VIRTUAL EVENT
Event Hosts.............$228.76
IG Ads........................$45.00
Zoom..........................$63.07
TOTAL: $2,268.37
- Significantly lower operating costs, given its virtual nature. Still incurs essential costs.
- Featured 50 vendors - organizers collected around $117 in pay what you can vendor fees — highlighting the challenges vendors typically experience in paying vendor fees.
- This event specifically designed for sick and disabled creators is virtual due (in part) to the lack of accessible in-person opportunities that don’t compromise the health and safety of these participants.
- This underscores the importance of accessible spaces and eliminating vendor fees, as costs like printing, transportation, and supplies add up. By securing financial support, we can create opportunities for vendors to profit from their work, reducing the risks they take on to participate.
former sponsors
and donors
former sponsors
and donors
Reparations Club is an independently Black-owned and operated business. They graciously offered to be the FIRST and sole sponsor of Black Zine Fest, a historic event.
Community donors
Community donors
The organizers invested time in crowdfunding and successfully secured essential funding from community donors.
Value proposition
Value proposition
1. ENHANCED BRAND VISIBILITY:
1. ENHANCED BRAND VISIBILITY:
1. ENHANCED BRAND VISIBILITY: Sponsors will have their brand prominently featured throughout event promotions, materials, and social media, increasing recognition within the Black (and sometimes queer) creative communities.
2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Sponsors will directly support and engage with a vibrant, culturally significant event during Black History Month, aligning their brand with meaningful, socially impactful work.
3. Positive Brand Association: By supporting Black Zine Fest, sponsors can align their brand with creativity, diversity, and social justice, enhancing their reputation and appeal among socially conscious consumers.
2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
3. Positive Brand Association:
3. Positive Brand Association:
Value proposition
Value proposition
4. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES:
4. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES:
Sponsors can connect with a diverse range of attendees, including artists, creators, and activists, fostering potential collaborations and partnerships.
Sponsors can leverage their involvement for authentic content creation, sharing stories of impact and support that resonate with their audience.
Depending on the sponsorship tier, sponsors may receive unique benefits such as VIP access to events, special recognition, or opportunities to showcase their products or services.
5. ORGANIC CONTENT CREATION & STORYTELLING:
5. ORGANIC CONTENT CREATION & STORYTELLING:
6. EXCLUSIVE PERKS:
6. EXCLUSIVE PERKS:
Sponsor Spots
Sponsor Spots
This year, we're offering six sponsorship tiers, each with its own set of perks, designed to provide reciprocal value and align with your support level.
This year, we're offering six sponsorship tiers, each with its own set of perks, designed to provide reciprocal value and align with your support level.
Super
sponsor
Super
sponsor
$10,000+
creative
sponsor
creative
sponsor
$500-$999
Liberation
sponsor
Liberation
sponsor
$2,500-$9,999
Friendly
Sponsor
Friendly
Sponsor
$250-$499
Empowerment
sponsor
Empowerment
sponsor
$1,000-$2,499
Caring
sponsor
Caring
sponsor
$100-$249
*additional info on sponsor tiers provided upon request
*additional info on sponsor tiers provided upon request
Non-fiscal support
Non-fiscal support
Explore non-monetary ways to sponsor our event - we're open to creative support.
Explore non-monetary ways to sponsor our event - we're open to creative support.
venue
space
venue
space
Printing
services
Printing
services
Volunteer
support
Volunteer
support
MarketinG
and promo
MarketinG
and promo
Food and
beverages
Food and
beverages
Workshop
Assistance
Workshop
Assistance
August 2024
Black Zine Fest offers a unique opportunity for sponsors to gain visibility while making a meaningful impact by supporting Black zinesters during Black History Month. As the first event of its kind in Los Angeles, we center Black creativity and play, with a strong focus on accessibility and intentionality for zinesters and event attendees.
Our event is designed to uplift both new and seasoned Black creators, ensuring their voices are at the forefront. We also maintain a careful approach to sponsorship, prioritizing partnerships that align with our values and long-term community support.
Black Zine Fest offers a unique opportunity for sponsors to gain visibility while making a meaningful impact by supporting Black zinesters during Black History Month. As the first event of its kind in Los Angeles, we center Black creativity and play, with a strong focus on accessibility and intentionality for zinesters and event attendees.
Our event is designed to uplift both new and seasoned Black creators, ensuring their voices are at the forefront. We also maintain a careful approach to sponsorship, prioritizing partnerships that align with our values and long-term community support.
Call to action
Call to action
Support the Movement
Support the Movement
Call to action
Call to action
Support the Movement
Support the Movement
Call to action
Call to action
Support the Movement
Support the Movement
Call to action
Call to action
Support the Movement
Support the Movement
Call to action
Call to action
Support the Movement
Support the Movement
Call to action
Call to action
Support the Movement
Support the Movement
Call to action
Call to action
Support the Movement
Support the Movement
for reading!
for reading!
hey@blackzinefest.com
hey@blackzinefest.com
@BLACKZINEFEST
@BLACKZINEFEST
@zines4queers
@zines4queers
✰website✰
✰website✰
Contact us
Contact us