Radical Inclusion

Radically Inclusive Participation

Burners everywhere have been busy building and supporting pathways to ensure that more people have opportunities to participate and see themselves in Burning Man. 

At Burning Man Project, we took the past two years to develop our work around Radical Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (R.I.D.E.) — in the community, among staff, and on our board. In collaboration with the community, we rolled out a series of anti-racism courses in Burning Man Hive that are open to all.

As we begin planning Black Rock City 2022, we’re delighted to see the emergence of more projects, camps, and art installations that share the experiences and perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Burners.

“During the past year, I shared my vision of Beloved Community with the Burning Man Board and staff. This led to my involvement with R.I.D.E. Lab in Hive, and served in part as inspiration for the R.I.D.E. Pledge. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my vision with Burning Man.”

~ Shirley Strong, social justice educator and member of Burning Man Project’s R.I.D.E. Advisory Committee

Learn about Radical Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at Burning Man Project

Bringing R.I.D.E. Projects to Life in Burning Man Hive

In spring 2021 a handful of engaged Burners convened in Burning Man Hive Labs to share ideas about developing Black Rock City and Burning Man culture around Sustainability, Health and Safety, and R.I.D.E. In just a few short months, R.I.D.E. Lab participants brought some powerful projects to life:

• The Beloved Community Learning Series introduces the concept and practice of creating Beloved Community.
• The Burners of Color Resource Group is a space for Burners of color to connect and support each other.
• The Camp Guidance Project will help camps and Burners understand and practice R.I.D.E. in Black Rock City and beyond.

“It was one of the most inspiring things that I’ve done this year. During some of the workshops, we came forth with ideas. One of the ideas was around camp guidance — what resources can we bring together for camps to center around inclusion and diversity?”
– Sheila Bhardwaj, Camp Guidance Project

Join Burning Man Hive

The R.I.D.E. Anti-racism Pledge

In summer 2021, we published the R.I.D.E. Anti-racism Pledge, which outlines goals and actions we’re taking to advance an anti-racist stance in the world, and to foster inclusion of marginalized communities in Burning Man spaces.

“The R.I.D.E. Anti-racism Pledge was a highly collaborative effort. Having listened to, engaged with, and learned from the perspectives and experiences of a diverse group of Burners over more than a year, we put together a piece that outlined realistic and ambitious ways we can engage with this important topic. It covers short and long-term goals, and is a signal of intent for the kind of radically diverse and inclusive community we want to help foster around the world.”
– Dominique Debucquoy-Dodley, Associate Director of Communications

Read the R.I.D.E. Anti-racism Pledge

Boundless Space, Sotheby’s, and Radical Inclusion

In 2021 we partnered with Sotheby’s to produce Boundless Space… The Possibilities of Burning Man, a charitable online auction that raised funds for Burning Man Project and participating artists, and built opportunities for 180 artists — more than 30% of whom are BIPOC, and over 30% women.

“I can see a very strong light of hope coming out of Burning Man. So the piece that I donated to the auction is about light; it intends to give light to the public. I want to share the splendor of a reborn sunlight spreading to all of us, especially when the day starts, the sunrise, but also from the mystery of nocturnal sun inspired by the concept of Tezcatlipoca.”
– Víctor López, Boundless Space artist