The Counter Narrative Project (cnp)
The Counter Narrative Project (CNP) is a 2014-founded Atlanta nonprofit that shifts narratives about Black gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men through digital publishing (The Reckoning), storytelling training (Narrative Leadership Institute), and media capacity building (Media Roundtable), supported by donations and merchandise sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) does
The Counter Narrative Project (CNP) is a narrative change nonprofit founded in 2014 and headquartered at 1530 Dekalb Ave NE A, Atlanta, GA. Its stated mission is to shift narratives about Black gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in order to change policy and improve lives, and the organization explicitly anchors its work in the tradition of Bayard Rustin, James Baldwin, and Essex Hemphill. CNP operates a 1-10-person team delivering its work through an interconnected suite of programs rather than a unified software product.
CNP's core offerings are (1) The Reckoning, a digital publication and YouTube channel (@cnptribe) producing journalism, video, and audio content centered on the Black LGBTQIA+ community; (2) the Narrative Leadership Institute, a training program organized into "labs" covering podcasting, documentary filmmaking, writing, and other storytelling formats; and (3) the Media Roundtable, a capacity-building initiative for media organizations, storytellers, and content creators working to combat anti-LGBTQIA+ and HIV stigma. Supporting offerings include the CNP Podcast Network, the Black Gay Genius content series, the CNP ATL Blog, and several retrospective/oral-history projects. The underlying technology stack is a Squarespace-hosted website with a print-on-demand e-commerce backend (T-shirts, hoodies) shipped from global fulfillment facilities.
The business model is nonprofit/dual-revenue. CNP accepts donations through its website to support narrative-change programming, and operates a direct-to-consumer merchandise store (CNP Store) selling branded print-on-demand apparel. Pricing for programs is not publicly disclosed; merchandise uses unit pricing with size-based SKUs (XS-5XL for shirts, S-5XL for hoodies). The go-to-market motion is community-led: CNP identifies its primary served communities as the Black LGBTQIA+ community and media organizations/content creators working against stigma, with no disclosed enterprise customers, partnerships, awards, certifications, or institutional funders in the source data. Geographic scope is labeled as Southeast US for primary operations, while merchandise distribution and digital content reach globally.
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Counter Narrative Project (cnp)
- Legal name
- Counter Narrative Project
- Website
- https://thecounternarrative.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Counter Narrative Project (CNP) is a 2014-founded Atlanta nonprofit that shifts narratives about Black gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men through digital publishing (The Reckoning), storytelling training (Narrative Leadership Institute), and media capacity building (Media Roundtable), supported by donations and merchandise sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Advocacy and Social Justice Media
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD)
Keywords
Where The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Merchandise Sales: CNP operates an e-commerce store selling branded merchandise including T-shirts and hoodies through print-on-demand fulfillment with global shipping capabilities
- Donations: The organization accepts donations through its website to support narrative change work and programs
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | T-shirt pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hoodie pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CNP is a narrative change nonprofit that produces media, training, and events to shift stories about Black gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men. Its core deliverables are the digital publication The Reckoning, the Narrative Leadership Institute training program (storytelling labs covering podcasting, filmmaking, and writing), and the Media Roundtable capacity-building program for media organizations and storytellers. The organization also operates the CNP Podcast Network, the Black Gay Genius content series, and a print-on-demand merchandise store.
Product overview
CNP is a narrative change organization operating as a platform of interconnected content programs and training initiatives rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include The Reckoning (a digital publication and video content platform), the Narrative Leadership Institute (storytelling training labs), and the Media Roundtable (capacity-building for content creators). Supporting products include the CNP Podcast Network, Black Gay Genius content series, and the CNP Store (print-on-demand merchandise). These programs collectively work toward shifting narratives about Black gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men to change policy and improve lives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Reckoning: CNP's digital publication that centers thought-provoking news and unique stories about the Black LGBTQIA+ community, featuring journalism, video and audio content.
- Narrative Leadership Institute
- Media Roundtable
- The Reckoning Video
- Black Gay Genius
- CNP Podcast Network
- CNP ATL Blog
Products and services
- The Reckoning CNP's digital publication that centers thought-provoking news and unique stories about the Black LGBTQIA+ community, featuring journalism, video and audio content. Targeted at community members, supporters, and broader audiences seeking authentic Black LGBTQIA+ narrative content.
- Narrative Leadership Institute CNP's program that trains participants on various aspects of storytelling to advance social change. Training is organized into 'labs' covering topics such as podcasting, documentary filmmaking, and writing. Targeted at aspiring storytellers, journalists, and content creators.
- Media Roundtable CNP's program that builds the capacity of media organizations, storytellers, and content creators to create stories and content that combats anti-LGBTQIA+ and HIV stigma. Targeted at media organizations and professional content creators.
- CNP Podcast Network CNP's network of podcast content featuring discussions and stories relevant to the Black LGBTQIA+ community. Targeted at community members and broader podcast audiences seeking Black LGBTQIA+ perspectives.
- Black Gay Genius Original content series celebrating Black gay excellence and achievement. Targeted at community members and broader audiences interested in Black LGBTQIA+ stories of accomplishment.
- CNP Store (Branded Merchandise) CNP's merchandise store selling print-on-demand branded products including T-shirts (sizes XS to 5XL) and hoodies (sizes S to 5XL). Products are printed and shipped from facilities worldwide through an on-demand fulfillment company. Targeted at supporters and community members seeking branded apparel.
Companies that use The Counter Narrative Project (cnp)
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Root: The Root is a major Black digital media platform producing journalism, opinion, and cultural commentary. CNP's The Reckoning digital publication operates in the same Black media space but with a narrower LGBTQIA+ focus, making The Root both an adjacent peer and a potential distribution partner.
- Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal is a major national LGBTQ+ legal organization that uses litigation and policy advocacy to advance civil rights. CNP's narrative change work directly supports Lambda Legal's policy objectives by shifting the public narratives that influence law and policy outcomes affecting LGBTQ+ communities.
- Out Magazine: Out Magazine is a long-running LGBTQ+ media brand producing journalism, video, and cultural content. CNP's The Reckoning digital publication operates in the same LGBTQ+ media space but with a distinct Black queer focus, positioning it as a niche complement rather than direct competitor.
- Them: Them is a Condé Nast-owned digital media platform covering LGBTQ+ culture, identity, and politics. Like Out Magazine, Them operates as a broad LGBTQ+ media outlet that overlaps with CNP's content focus but serves a wider audience and lacks CNP's specific Black queer narrative change mission.
- The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a large, well-resourced LGBTQ+ advocacy organization with a strong media and storytelling presence focused on LGBTQ+ youth. While CNP specifically targets Black queer men and narrative change, both organizations use media content and capacity-building to drive social outcomes in the LGBTQ+ community.
Direct peers
- GLAAD: GLAAD is a leading LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization that works to shape narrative and policy representation of LGBTQ+ people. CNP's narrative change mission to combat anti-LGBTQIA+ stigma and shift public discourse is closely aligned with GLAAD's core media and storytelling work.
- Black AIDS Institute: Black AIDS Institute focuses on ending the HIV epidemic in Black communities, including combatting HIV stigma through media and storytelling. CNP's Media Roundtable explicitly works to combat anti-LGBTQIA+ and HIV stigma in media, making this a closely aligned peer organization.
- National Black Justice Coalition: NBJC is a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black LGBTQ+ people, with overlapping mission, audience, and policy advocacy goals. CNP's narrative change work on behalf of Black gay, bisexual, and queer men directly intersects with NBJC's policy and visibility agenda for the same community.
- Marsha P. Johnson Institute: MPJI protects and defends the human rights of Black transgender people through organizing, advocacy, and storytelling. CNP and MPJI share a Black LGBTQIA+ focus and both use narrative and visibility work to drive policy and cultural change, making them direct peers in the narrative change ecosystem.
Emerging players
- StoryCorps: StoryCorps is a nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing stories from people across the United States. CNP's Narrative Leadership Institute and The Reckoning storytelling work share StoryCorps' emphasis on using narrative as a tool for human dignity and social change, making it a thematically adjacent peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Customer concentration
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) social profiles
Digital presenceThe Counter Narrative Project (cnp) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Counter Narrative Project (cnp)
What does The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) do?
CNP is a narrative change nonprofit that produces media, training, and events to shift stories about Black gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men. Its core deliverables are the digital publication The Reckoning, the Narrative Leadership Institute training program (storytelling labs covering podcasting, filmmaking, and writing), and the Media Roundtable capacity-building program for media organizations and storytellers. The organization also operates the CNP Podcast Network, the Black Gay Genius content series, and a print-on-demand merchandise store.
Is The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) a public or private company?
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) founded?
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) based?
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Merchandise Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations.
Who are The Counter Narrative Project (cnp)'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Root, Lambda Legal, Out Magazine, Them and The Trevor Project. Direct peers are GLAAD, Black AIDS Institute, National Black Justice Coalition and Marsha P. Johnson Institute. StoryCorps is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Counter Narrative Project (cnp).
What industry is The Counter Narrative Project (cnp) in?
The Counter Narrative Project (cnp)'s product category is Nonprofit Advocacy and Social Justice Media. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACALAD, Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses. Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 2721.