How It Works

01

Browse the Marketplace

Head to the Marketplace and browse all available city subdomains. Cities are organized by region and tagged by category — music, culture, business, food, events. Filter by what matters to you.

312+ cities across the U.S. available at launch
International cities coming in Phase 2
Each listing shows the current starting bid and auction end time
Don't see your city? Request it — we add new listings weekly

02

Place Your Bid

Each city subdomain runs as a 7-day auction. When you submit a bid, our team reaches out to confirm your intent and collect payment information. The highest bid at auction close wins the hub license for one year.

Bids start at $150–$400 depending on city market size
Payment is collected only when you win
Outbid? You're notified immediately — no charge
All bids are annual licenses, renewable at the end of the term

03

Win and Get Onboarded

When your bid wins, you'll receive a welcome packet with your subdomain credentials, hub setup guide, and access to the curator toolkit. You're ready to build within 24–48 hours of payment confirmation.

Subdomain pointed to your hosting or provided template
Access to the 121212 Curator Toolkit (templates, CMS guide, brand assets)
Dedicated onboarding call with the 121212 team

04

Build Your Hub — Your Way

Your hub, your vision. Curate sections however you see fit. Most successful hubs include a mix of the following — but you're not limited to any structure.

Events & Things To Do — what's happening in Black culture in your city
Top Eats & Food Guides — curated lists, reviews, interviews with Black-owned restaurants
Business Directory — spotlight local Black-owned businesses; link to your city's 121212.market presence
Music & Nightlife — artists, venues, shows; connect to your city's 121212.music page
Interviews & Reviews — editorial content that drives traffic and affiliate revenue
Community Guides — "Best of" lists, travel guides for visiting Black travelers, local news and advocacy

05

Connect to the Ecosystem

Your city subdomain is the hub that connects visitors to every other 121212 domain in your city. This is where the network effect kicks in — your hub becomes more valuable as the ecosystem grows.

Link to [city].121212.market — local Black-owned products & vendors
Link to [city].121212.music — local artists, events, venues
Link to [city].121212.fun — experiences and entertainment
Link to [city].121212.law — legal resources for your community
Link to [city].121212.culture — arts, heritage, and cultural institutions
Link to [city].121212.movement — organizing, advocacy, and civic action

06

Monetize & Grow

Your hub is a business. Here's how curators are generating revenue through their city hubs:

Featured Listings — charge local businesses to be spotlighted in your directory or event calendar
Affiliate Revenue — earn commissions through curated product and service recommendations
Sponsored Content — partner with brands targeting your city's Black community
Event Promotion — charge promoters to feature events on your hub's event calendar
Community Memberships — offer a paid insider tier with exclusive guides, early event access, and local deals

07

Renew, Grow, or Transfer

Your license is annual. At the end of the year, you can renew at the current market rate, let it lapse, or — with approval — transfer the hub to another qualified curator.

Curators in good standing get first-right-of-renewal at their locked rate
Hubs with active content and community engagement earn renewal discounts
Transfers require platform approval to ensure continuity for the community