I am reaching out to connect with other adult BBIPOC cult and coercive group survivors who are interested in sharing elements of their stories with other BBIPOC in a small healing story-sharing circle, as well as for qualitative research purposes.

I will be speaking this year at the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA conference) about the unique experiences that BBIPOC have being in coercive authoritarian and cultic groups, as well as in leaving, and the wisdom we have to share that largely isn't being acknowledged or heard by the larger cult survivor community. I will be primarily speaking from my own experience, however, I want to make sure that I speak to a small handful of other BBIPOC survivors to share that its not just me, and to give voice in some way to shared BBIPOC experience.

I am currently in training to be a somatic facilitator to assist groups of people in having necessary conversations about race with one another without getting so emotionally flooded that it derails the conversation. Talking about race, especially in North America, is a very controversial and emotionally charged subject. Many survivor movements have dedicated spaces for just BBIPOC to share with one another, but I've never seen that happen in cult survivor spaces.

While I will be speaking on behalf of Emergent Phoenix, I will not be receiving any financial compensation from ICSA for speaking at the conference.

My hope is to share portions of our stories, let other BBIPOC cult survivors know they aren't alone, and make a call-to-action of the larger ICSA community to explicitly support BBIPOC survivors by funding research and community support specifically for us, so our voices don't continue to be drowned out and our BBIPOC bodies made invisible.

FAQs

What is BBIPOC?

BBIPOC are Black/African Diaspora, Brown, Indigenous/First Nations, and People of Color. For the purposes of this gathering it is people who experience walking through life with a non-white, racialized embodied experience. While this sometimes feels vague, what we mean is that if folks look at you, they assign a racialized identity to you without you saying anything. If this isn't your daily lived experience, this particular invitation is not for you.

What if I am still in the group?

For continuity and your own wellbeing, we are limiting participants to those who have already left coercive and cultic groups, and are 18 years or older. While no names or identifying info will be shared in the presentation, we do not want to put someone in active danger by having them talk about a group they still belong to.

What is the group format?

Before participation, each potential participant will meet with the facilitator(s) for a brief introduction video call (on Zoom or Google Meets) to go over expectations, answer questions and go over some community guidelines and the structure of the sessions. At the end of that call if appropriate, you will be given details for attending session 1 or two and session 3.

Can I be anonymous?

All story share sessions will be held virtually via video conference. We ask that you use whatever first name and pronouns you want to be called, this can be a nickname or pseudonym. Once the session begins the meetings will be locked to prevent anyone else from joining. *All participants and facilitators are asked to keep their cameras on during the session.* This to facilitate group physical and emotional safety, so that people sharing know they are being listened to, and who they are really talking to, and to allow the facilitator(s) to track whether participants are getting somatically overwhelmed and may need a break or other support. We know being on camera might feel uncomfortable for some, so please consider if this is something you can consent to when reaching out.

When will the sessions be held?

Brief intro screenings will begin next week Feb 27-March 4th as participants are available.

Sessions 1 and 2 will be held March 8th, 9th or 10th (depending which 2 dates work for most participants) 6pm EST- 9PM EST

The final after-care support session for all participants will be held on either Saturday March 12th or 13th from 3pm EST to 5pm EST.

What if I am not in North America? Can I still participate?

As long as you can make the gathering times work, and can comfortably converse in English, we welcome participants from anywhere in the world.

I am in active crisis and need help. Is this the space for me?

Sharing stories about past cultic and coercive experiences can be very activating and emotional. While all emotions are welcome, we are not providing therapy or resources to participants and cannot provide care to folks in active crisis situations. This is not an appropriate forum for someone in active ongoing crisis to share since we are not social workers and aren't able to provide ongoing crisis support.

Who will get to share?

Everyone who has signed up to participate will be given the opportunity to speak.  The narrative sharing will occur with a maximum of 3 or 4 people, including two facilitators currently being trained in Somatic Abolition.

Is this group therapy?

This story share is based on a Peer Support model and we need to emphasize *while it may feel healing and therapeutic, it is NOT therapy nor intended to be therapy*. While we intend to track the energy of each person, we heavily encourage participants to have other supports available and to always take care of themselves and note their own emotional wellbeing as primary.

What is the theme?

We are not prescribing a particular theme for sharing, but simply offering the opportunity for you to tell something you would like people to know about your experience as BBIPOC.  So, your chosen narrative could be from your recruitment, retention in the cult, exit or recovery.

How long will I have to share?

In the first 2 sessions, participants will each have 20 minutes to speak about an aspect of their cult experience they would like to share, followed by a further 10 minutes in which to reflect upon the experience of sharing their story.  

What should I bring?

If it would help, please use artefacts to support you. Artefacts could be pictures, presentations, or objects.  You can prepare in advance or you can speak from the moment, whichever you prefer. Additionally if there are objects or food you find comforting or grounding, please feel free to bring them to session and share about those as well.

Is there aftercare support available?

The third session will be a follow-up support session, to reflect on the experience of sharing your story with all participants who desire to attend from the first two sessions.

Will this be the only opportunity?

For now, yes. The hope is that by sharing the need for healing spaces for BBIPOC survivors at the ICSA conference, the larger community will support and sponsor infrastructure for ongoing peer support groups, academic research, books, and platforms for BBIPOC to share their valuable experiences and wisdom.

We will share about other free survivor support resources available that are not BBIPOC specific to any participants who want them in session as well.

Where can I find more information about the facilitator(s)?

Please see my About Us page for more information.

How can see the final presentation?

The ICSA conference is open to the public and registration is now open. If you need to apply for a scholarship to attend, please do so. I will pass along that information as well as my session information in our meetings. You can also find information on the conference and scholarships at the ICSA website.

If you meet the criteria shared above, are a 18 years or older BBIPOC who has left their former group and is interested in participating in these sessions and contributing to research for this presentation, please reach out and we will follow up with you.