Opening to Freedom FAQ’s

The course fees cover:

• Three in-person retreats- including a venue, lodging, food during the retreats

• Six methodology calls in between retreats to stay in practice together and go deeper on concepts and political analysis, including calls with guest teachers

• Six mentorship circles with members of the teaching team

• Up to six individual sessions with a member of the teaching team

Course fees also pay for:

• A living wage for the team of four trainers and one song leader

• Redistribution of funds to local Black and Indigenous groups as well as Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity

• Organizing and administrative fees

Offering a sliding scale registration system allows the widest range of participants to pay at the level that is meaningful to them and at the level they can afford. Some embodiment work is inaccessible to people at different income levels and from different class backgrounds. At ERJ our commitment is to making somatics as accessible as possible for the sake of growing our movements for justice. 

All of this only works if each person registers at the level they are able - not at a level lower than what they can pay. Together we can create financial balance when we each pay in alignment with our abilities.

This course is offered on a sliding scale. The true cost of this program is $10,000 per participant. All prices include room and meals for each course. We support participants to car-pool to the training site. 

Organizational: $7,000-$20,000: for participants who have organization sponsorship, the registration tier is based on each organization’s annual budget. 

• $20,000 per registrant if the budget is above $30 million 

• $16,000 per registrant if the budget is between $20-$30 million 

• $14,000 per registrant if the budget is between $10 - $20 million

• $12,000 per registrant if the budget is between $5 - $10 million

• $8,000 per registrant if the budget is below $5 million

Individual: for participants who are registering as an individual, the registration is based on personal capacity. 

• Builder $16,000-$20,000+- for those who have generational or inherited wealth and want to off-set the costs of the program for other participants

• Sustainer $12,001-$15,999: for those who have generational or inherited wealth

• Supporter $10,000-$12,000: for those who have a regular income and additional support, either from other employment or alternative sources, and have funds to support other projects beyond paying their rent or mortgage ($12,000 is the true cost to cover the costs of running a course)

• Capacity $8,000-$9,999: for those who have a regular income and are comfortably paying their rent or mortgage

• Grounded $6,000-$7,999: for those who are paying their mortgage or rent

• Equity $4,000-$5,999: for those who are challenged to make ends meet

Please note we allocate a specific number of registrations at each tier for each course. That way Embodying Racial Justice can cover the costs associated with running the course. The specifics vary for each course, and one sample breakdown of the slots available at each tier is: 

• 1- Builder- $16,000-$20,000+

• 2 - Sustainer  $12,001-$16,000

• 3 - Organizational $6,000-$16,000

• 6 - Supporter (this is the true cost to ERJ per course participant) $10,000-$12,000

• 4 - Capacity $8,000-$9,999

• 3 - Grounded  $6,000-$7,999

• 3 - Equity $4,000-$5,999

This infographic includes more about the sliding scale tiers for consideration. 

All of this only works if everyone pays at the level they are able - not at a level lower than what they can pay. Together we can create financial balance when we each pay in alignment with our abilities. 

The registration fee pays facilitators a living wage, supports the redistribution of funds to local Black and Indigenous groups as well as Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity, and includes the organizing and administrative support associated with the course. This also includes all meals, snacks and drinks during the course.

We want to make this work financially for as many people as possible and we want to be in dialogue with you about what will support you to participate. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your finances.

Your payment will be due upon acceptance to the course. If accepted, you will have the option to pay in one lump sum or discuss payment plan options. Email: embodyingracialjustice@gmail.com if you need more details. 

Refunds for In-Person Coursework

If you register for an in-person course and cancel for any reason, refunds are processed per the following guidelines:

• 61+ days or more prior to the course start date, you are entitled to a full refund with no fees assessed

• 31-60 days prior to the course start date, you will be subjected to a $500 cancellation fee

• 30 days or less from the course start date, there are no refunds issued. You would have access to a transfer of credit up until 48 hours prior to the class start date

• A “late cancellation” is a cancellation of 48 hours or less before the course start date and will result in a 100% forfeiture of funds. Special consideration will be given to persons with Covid-19 with proof of infection on a case-by-case basis.

• Refunds are processed within 15 business days from the date of cancellation and issued to the original credit card of the holder.

Transfers for In-Person Coursework

If you register for an in-person course and wish to transfer for any reason, here are our guidelines for transferring to another course or for creating a “course credit” for future use.

• 15+ days before the start of a course will incur a $250 transfer fee

• 14 days up to 48 hours before the first day of the course will result in a $500 administrative fee

• Transferring 48 hours or less is considered a “late cancellation” and will result in 100% forfeiture of funds. Special consideration will be given to persons with COVID-19 with proof of infection on a case-by-case basis.

• Transfer and enrollment must occur within a one-year period. After this time, 100% of funds will be forfeited.

• Course fees, once converted to a course credit or transferred to another course, are not eligible for a refund.

• Funds can only be transferred twice. The need to transfer a third time is considered the same as a late cancellation and results in a 100% forfeiture of funds.