Support B’s Sacred Medicine Therapy Training & Community Ceremony Fund

Fundraising Overview

From B Dukes:

My current medicine path as a community organizer, facilitator and mushroom cultivator has been a journey of unfolding while unlocking the possibilities of healing through working with various plant medicines, with the primary focus being fungi over the last 8+ years. As someone who loves their community deeply and attempts to show up as often and authentically as possible, now I must ask for the support I need in order to sustain my practice.

When I first came into contact with psychedelics there were visuals and laughter sure, but I came out on the other side in search of the answer to what had become my primary question as a Black, queer and transgender / expansive person reigning from the backwoods of the deep south —- why don’t more of MY people know about this medicine, and what can be done to make this tool more accessible? What can I learn in order to translate the overtly medicalized terminology that was being used to create barriers of fear? This is where my initial start began over 8 years ago. Inspired deeply by the research of Dr. Monnica Williams and creative space holding and facilitating being done by Black femmes and gender queer folks in the space. I began cultivating roughly 2 1/2 years ago while providing free and sliding scale medicine to intergenerational QTBIPOC community on the east and west coast.

After 4 years of supporting community between Los Angeles and South Carolina with introductory microdosing, there was a clear desire to learn from the people who steward the medicines from around the world and across the diasporas. After supporting a number of 1:1 communal ceremonies, I reached out to my partner to introduce me to a network of Black queer artists moving with integrity in the work as the psychedelic space has been tainted by capitalism and physical harm.

Following a series of Spirit-led events, I was introduced to and accepted into the AWE Psychedelic Therapy Training Program. Upon acceptance, I was informed that there were no direct scholarships for the program as it is rooted in South America and the program doesn’t have institutional support in the ways that the western world provides. The cost breakdown is as following;

PAYMENT FOR FIRST TWO SEMESTERS (2021-2022)

$1800 USD enrollment deposit

Having secured your place, these will be the payment dates for the first year (after the enrollment deposit):

  • First payment semester 1: before December 14th, 2021 -US$2000

  • Second payment semester 1: May 27th, 2022 -US$2000

  • First payment semester 2: before July 1st, 2022 -US$2000

  • Second payment semester 2: September 30, 2022 US$2000

This payment went into effect in 2021 and since then, roughly 80% of my tuition has been paid out of pocket with the remaining 20% being paid by mutual aid via classmates and independent supporters (gratitude!!)

The overall cost of the program including travel is roughly $24,000 USD.

Financial Goal

The current goal is to raise an initial $12,000 to support the completion of the training, which includes:

  • Closing Tuition ($8,000)

  • Roundtrip airfare to and from Colombia for my next training retreat (May 18 2024)

  • Roundtrip airfare to and from Gabon for the closing initiation (Aug 2024 or Feb 2025)

  • Financial support to host monthly 1:1 and group ceremonies for QTBIPOC community for free / low cost in the Bay Area

  • Mushroom cultivation materials to provide community with free medicine

The additional funds will go to support the following:

  • Indigenous communities in Colombia, Ecuador, Wirikuta & Gabon that I’ve directly or plan to learn from.

Importance of this Goal

I’ve found it extremely challenging at times to navigate the hyper binary spaces within the psychedelic / sacred medicine ecosystem as a gender expansive and transgender Black person, and I’ve found that this sentiment rings true for 99% of the people in my community seeking a safe space to break open.

Often the person sitting at the head of the facilitation chain lacks direct connection to the diaspora that isn’t extractive, and it is my goal to provide a haven for the unfolding, releasing and restoration work that is the essence of sacred medicine ceremonies.

We deserve to host these experiences without the worry of being violated and misunderstood. Currently, the psychedelic industry is one that is predominately controlled by white men who profit, while indigenous communities still get demonized for the ways they practice their ritual.

Ways you can support

  1. Donate via Venmo (this is the most helpful due to fees)

    1. @bdukesthetruth

  2. Donate via this website.

  3. Large Donors: If you’re someone with extreme access to wealth and desires to donate more than $1000, please reach out via email or feel free to zelle the payment using the email address bdukesthetruth@gmail.com

  4. Share this link with your network. Especially those who should be redistributing wealth.

  5. Reach out if you have creative ideas for fundraising. Dukes@wtfwth.com

Exchanges

For those who are interested in a mutual exchange instead of only donating, I’ll be offering the following services that are bookable between July 2024-July 2025

  • Portrait Sessions (starting at $250)

  • Design Services (starting at $100)

  • 4 week 1:1 Microdosing support (starting at $200)

  • 1:1 Technology workshops (flexible)

    • Grant management

    • Organizational development & workflow management

  • Sound Baths (sliding scale)

Gratitude

It has been a challenging journey of writing this all out and even asking for help — I’ve been reminded by mentors and peers that the goal isn’t to hit zero before we extend our hearts and hands for what we need. Thank you to everyone in advance who has supported me thus far and those who plan to.

With deep love and care,

B

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