Kind Legacy Public Domain

Kind Legacy Public Domain is a category for builders who choose to release complete, trauma-informed systems into the public domain while they are still living — so the work can be tested, shared, and strengthened by the communities it serves.

These systems are designed to function without the founder, free from gatekeeping, and accessible to those who need them now.

We believe access should never be the barrier to healing or leadership. While stewardship, training, and implementation require investment, the foundations themselves are given freely — because impact matters more than ownership.

This is not about control. It is about trust, dignity, and leaving something useful behind.

Septima Clark (1898-1987)

"Literacy means liberation"

Called "The Mother of the Movement" by Martin Luther King Jr., Septima Clark built citizenship schools in beauty shops, kitchens, and under trees across the Jim Crow South. She was fired from teaching in 1956 for refusing to leave the NAACP.

She trained 5,000 teachers who taught 25,000+ people to read and vote. Her schools became "the base on which the whole civil rights movement was built" (Andrew Young).

What she taught us: Build systems that work without you. Train local people to teach other local people. Education liberates.

Jonas Salk (1914-1995)

"Could you patent the sun?"

When Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine in 1955, he refused to patent it. Asked who owned the patent, he replied: "Well, the people, I would say. There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?"

His vaccine could have made him a billionaire. Instead, it saved millions of lives and continues saving lives 70 years later.

What he taught us: Some discoveries are too important to own. Knowledge belongs to humanity.

We're not comparing ourselves to these giants. We're continuing their work by applying their principles to organizational leadership systems—releasing complete frameworks as public domain so communities can use them now.

The Valued Volunteer

The Genuine Interest Framework

Reduces volunteer turnover by 40-65%. Removes anxiety by restoring presence as the contribution. Complete system with facilitator guide, volunteer workbooks, and implementation protocols.

Keeping Leadership Alive

Training Over Titles

Church and nonprofit leadership framework focused on sustainable systems rather than personality-driven models. Builds leadership capacity that outlasts individual leaders.

Christ in the Community

Presence That Produces Fruit

Faith-based community engagement framework for churches and nonprofits seeking to serve with dignity and lasting impact. Transforms neighborhoods and restores relationships.

I SAW HER - ABIGAIL

Recognition, Presence, and Beauty That Preserves Futures

Foundational framework for women's leadership built on recognition before disclosure. Creates environments where women are seen, valued, and empowered without performing their pain.

If the systems are free, why does consulting cost money?

The foundations are free (frameworks, workbooks, facilitator guides). Installation, training, and certification require expertise, time, and ongoing support. We give away the blueprints. We charge to build with you. Think of it like open-source software—the code is free, but implementation support costs money.

What makes this different from Creative Commons or open source?

Creative Commons still has restrictions (attribution, non-commercial, etc.). Kind Legacy Public Domain means truly free—no restrictions, no attribution required, no limitations. Communities can adapt, modify, and use however they need. Public domain is more permissive than any Creative Commons license.

Why release while you're alive instead of waiting?

Communities need these tools now. Waiting until death means waiting until it's too late for thousands of organizations. We want to see the impact, learn from implementation, and improve the systems based on real-world use. Living legacy means we can support, refine, and strengthen the work while we're here.

Can other organizations practice Kind Legacy Public Domain?

Yes! This is a category, not a trademark. If you have complete systems that serve communities, we invite you to release them as public domain while you're living. The world needs more builders who choose impact over ownership. We'll celebrate you.

What systems qualify as "Kind Legacy Public Domain"?

To practice Kind Legacy Public Domain, systems must be:

• ✅ Complete and operational (not just concepts)
• ✅ Released to public domain (no restrictions)
• ✅ Released while founder is living
• ✅ Designed to work without the founder
• ✅ Free from gatekeeping (no email capture, no proving need)
• ✅ Trauma-informed or dignity-centered

How do you sustain this work financially?

Builders of People Initiative (this nonprofit) is sustained through:

• Individual donations
• Community partnerships
• Grant funding (when available)
• Support from individuals and organizations who believe in our mission

Related but Separate Entities:

While Builders of People Initiative operates as a nonprofit, our founder also operates independent businesses that serve different audiences:

Voluntary Support: Richard Patterson III, as founder, voluntarily donates 10% of his personal consulting revenue to Builders of People Initiative because he believes in the mission. This is a personal choice, not a legal obligation.