BlaqOut is a Kansas City-based community health group that advocates for providing sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing while providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prescriptions. The group has opposed the second Trump administration, comparing it to “fascist authoritarianism.” ¹ It has also opposed the construction of new prison facilities and cutting federal funding for public health spending. ^{1 2 3}

Background

BlaqOut was founded in 2017 by local activist Rashaan Gilmore to advocate for sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing for impacted communities within the Kansas City area. In 2020  the organization began providing telehealth services for prescribing and creating treatment plans for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other HIV drugs. It acquired its own building in 2022 to provide in person medical care. ¹

Finances

According to its 2021 tax return, BlaqOut reported $830,753 in revenue, of which $498,730 stemmed from contributions and grants and $332,023 from program service revenue. It reported $812,928 in expenses, of which $353,965 was allocated to salaries and compensation, $162,794 in wholesaler expenses, and $65,995 in office expenses. It ended 2021 with a surplus of $17,825 and net assets of $25,719. ⁴

In 2021, it received $22,779 in government grants. ⁵

Projects and Initiatives

BlaqOut has advocated for providing and managing public health programs meant to administer testing for HIV and STIs in the Kansas City region as well as providing online telehealth services for medication. The group also claims to provide education material on sexual health-related topics. ^{6 7 3}

Leadership

Rashaan Gilmore is the founder and CEO of BlaqOut. Gilmore previously ran a media company and was also involved in federally funded community health organizations. In 2021 he began hosting a public interest and local news show called Flatlands on the local Kansas City PBS station, for which he won two Emmy awards. Gilmore left the show in 2024 and works as a freelance producer as of 2025. ^{8 9 10}

1. “About Us.” BlaqOut. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://blaqout.org/about-us/.
2. Hursey, Devon. “Op-Ed: More Jails Don’t Mean More Safety.” MailChimp. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://mailchi.mp/blaqout/psst.
3. “URGENT: Act Now to Save HIV Prevention Funding!” MailChimp. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://mailchi.mp/blaqout/save-hiv-prevention-funding.
4.  BlaqOut. Return from an organization exempt from taxation (990) 2021 Part I.
5. BlaqOut. Return from an organization exempt from taxation (990) 2021 Part IX.
6. “Programs & Services.” BlaqOut. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://blaqout.org/programs-services/.
7. “Frequently Asked Questions.” BlaqOut. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://blaqout.org/frequently-asked-questions/.
8. “D. Rashaan Gilmore.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drashaan/.
9. “D. Rashaan Gilmore.” BlaqOut. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://blaqout.org/blaqout-leadership/d-rashaan-gilmore/.
10. “‘Flatland in Focus’ Host Steps Down.” Kansas City PBS. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://www.kansascitypbs.org/blogs/station-news/flatland-in-focus-host-d-rashaan-gilmore-steps-down/.