Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to register?
Why do I have to contribute to join the community?
Do I have to be Black to join?
 

When will you add more stops?
How can my land become a stop?

Membership Qs 

Why do I have to register?

This resource is to help Black people feel safer visiting places across the U.S. where there are signs, symbols, and behaviors of people that make them feel like they don’t belong. One basic way to protect our landowners and community members from people who act on their hate or who come with bad intentions is to make sure there is a first step to filter them out.  ⇧

Why do I have to contribute to join the community?

We've all learned some hard lessons about entering into relationships in good faith only to find that there is no reciprocity. This is why show and prove is one of the core values of the AboveGround Railroad. A real community is built on shared values, love, resources, and hard work. Every single person who joins this community earns their entry by contributing their time, unique skills, and/or resources.

When you join this community, you are not a customer, you are a member. And once you're a member, you know that every other member who walks into this community has also made a tangible contribution. This action affirms that we are all genuinely in this together and sets the tone for a community rooted in deeds, not dogma.

We are stepping away from transactional interactions because they are limiting to our nature and we are so much more. We welcome you to take this opportunity to shine your unique light on your community. If you opt to make a monetary donation, that's greatly appreciated too. Some of us have more money to spare, some of us have more time. A lucky few have both! Your monetary contribution is not a payment for a product or service. Your donation goes towards supporting landowners, expanding the Railroad, community events, and developing new projects and it matters greatly. Read our Community Values   ⇧

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Do I have to be Black to join?

We're committed to building a real community that centers Black people, our experience, and our right to belong.  While all locations are committed to offering safe and affirming spaces for Black people, that doesn't mean they are exclusively reserved for Black people. "Black-centered" isn't exclusive. Our continual struggle for "Black freedom" has never been limited to uplifting only Black people. Anyone - including our BIPOC family and allies - can join this community and book trips to Public Stops and Private Lands on the Railroad. Some stops have decided to be designated as Black-Centered Lands (BCLs), which are Black spaces specifically reserved for Invested Members of the WayOut community. Invested Member status cannot be purchased. It can only be earned by contributing your time, skills, and resources to the community. Read our Community Values   ⇧

Railroad Qs 

When will you add more stops?

We decided to focus on building the Southern line of the Railroad first because that's where our roots run deepest in this country. We'll be adding more stops soon! We've been actively making connections with landowners all over the US who are interested in joining the Railroad. Because we are intentionally building a community of safe and affirming spaces, we personally travel to meet every landowner in person. We tour the land, share our respective visions, and get to know each other so that all parties involved can make an informed decision about whether we are aligned.    ⇧

How can my land become a stop?

We'd love to connect with you and chat! Click here to find out more about Becoming a stop on the Railroad.    ⇧

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