Radical Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

At our collective best, Burning Man is a multicultural, open, inviting, and inclusive community. By bringing an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory lens into our strategies and work, we are strengthening these values, and helping to build the future we want to live in. We are inspired by the vision of the Beloved Community, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. We are building new pathways to make sure more people have the opportunity to participate in this community and are able to see themselves in Burning Man. We are working to expand the participation of BIPOC communities, and to foster diversity in our policies, programs, and processes within our organization and our events.

Read our full R.I.D.E. Anti-Racism Pledge to learn more.

Ride Courses and Learning Opportunities

Radical Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Courses — all available now on Burning Man Hive!

Introduction to Anti-Racism	You will be introduced to the concept of anti-racism through an examination of the history of systemic and structural racism, and through an exploration of the concepts of intersectionality and microaggressions.
Impact Versus Intent 101	Learn how to separate intent from impact, regarding microaggressions. This course will also connect various topics to some of the Ten Principles, so we may also understand how this work is directly related to and informed by our community values.
Representation	Explore the impact of representation relative to inclusion, bias, and racism. We will unpack how representation plays out in context to Burning Man from the media through individual feeds and how clusters manifest on social media platforms.
Burner Fragility	A comprehensive opportunity to explore the intersection of “default world” fragility based on privilege and how it plays out in the desert. And better yet how we can become more resilient.
Cultural Humility	Learn what cultural humility is and how it applies to Burning Man and the experience as Burners move between camps, art cars, and art together on the playa. Hone skills and begin to develop a vocabulary of cultural awareness that avoids appropriation and characterization of cultures not your own.
Paiute Insights: Past & Present	This is a concise online course designed to introduce you to the Pyramid Lake Paiute people’s historical and current realities. Through a blend of historical insights and present-day context, the course aims to foster a respectful understanding of the Paiute community. It highlights their enduring heritage, challenges, and the positive initiatives underway, inviting you to reflect on and engage with these aspects thoughtfully.

How to Connect

Want to volunteer to help further Burning Man Projects’s R.I.D.E. work? Please fill out the R.I.D.E Volunteer form and help us learn a little about your interests and skills. We’re always looking for more Burners to support this important work.
Have a question or suggestions for us about this work? Email diversity@burningman.org

Reference Materials

Black Rock City Census

The Census is a collaborative research project that started in 2002.

Although the Black Rock City (BRC) Census project is technically a survey and not a literal census (where data is collected from every member of a population), our methodology allows us to report on the entire population of Black Rock City (BRC), not just on the individuals who participate actively in our data collection efforts. The results in this report are the most reliable estimates we have of the Black Rock City population.

Check out the latest Census here.

Diversity & Radical Inclusion Blog Series

This long-form series is designed to spark conversation about diversity, Radical Inclusion, and differences in the global Burning Man community.

Topics include: where the lines are for cultural appropriation of art, music, and fashion, is “Why aren’t there more people of color at Burning Man?” the question we should be asking, how far the 10 Principles stretch beyond the playa, and what being a year-round, worldwide culture means for the inclusiveness and diversity of Burning Man.