Forward Together: SDARJ’s New Membership Structure Launches
Ten years ago, a group of committed community members came together in Southern Delaware with a shared belief: that racism could be named, confronted, and ended — and that building a strong, organized community was the way to do it. That belief became the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice.
This September 1, as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we are proud to launch the most significant upgrade to SDARJ membership in our history: Forward Together.
What is Forward Together?
Forward Together is SDARJ’s 10th Anniversary membership campaign with a bold goal — 500 members and counting. To get there, we’re replacing our longtime single-tier $40 membership with a five-tier membership structure that gives every SDARJ supporter the ability to engage at the level that’s right for them — with real benefits that reflect our community’s programs and culture.
We’ve named each tier to honor a stage in the journey of racial justice advocacy. Together, they tell a story:
| Tier | Annual Dues | Who it's For |
|---|---|---|
| Scholar | $20/year | Youth under age 18 |
| Ally | $50/year | All supporters (base) |
| Advocate | $100/year | Members wanting more connection |
| Champion | $250/year | Engaged community leaders |
| Visionary | $500/year | SDARJ's most invested supporters |
What’s In It For you?
Here’s a full breakdown of member benefits at each level:
Scholar — $20/year
Eligibility: Youth under age 18
Inspired by the civil rights Freedom School tradition, the Scholar tier is SDARJ’s investment in the next generation. Young members get full SDARJ membership at an accessible price — because the movement needs them.
Ally — $50/year
New base level for all adult members
Core SDARJ membership. You’re connected to our work, our events, and our community. The Ally tier is where every adult member starts — and it’s a meaningful place to stand.
Current members: When your membership renews on or after September 1, it will automatically move to the Ally tier at $50/year — a $10 increase that helps sustain the growing scope of our work. You can upgrade to any higher tier at any time.
Advocate — $100/year
Everything in Ally, plus:
- Black Voices magazine mailed directly to your home — SDARJ’s award-winning publication, delivered to your door.
Champion — $250/year
Everything in Advocate, plus:
- 2 complimentary tickets to the MLK Celebration (January) — one of Southern Delaware’s most inspiring annual events.
- Your choice of an SDARJ T-shirt or hat — wear your commitment with pride.
Visionary — $500/year
Everything in Champion, plus:
- All-Movie Pass to SDARJ’s Black Film Festival (February) — full access to all screenings of this beloved celebration of Black cinema and culture.
Why Are We Making This Change?
After ten years, SDARJ has grown far beyond what any of us imagined in 2016. Our programs, publications, events, scholarships, and advocacy now serve more of Southern Delaware than ever before. A single $40 membership tier — unchanged for years — no longer captures the range of ways our community wants to engage, nor does it adequately fund the work ahead.
A tiered structure does two things at once: it lowers the barrier to entry for new members (especially young people through the Scholar tier), while creating pathways for deeper investment for those who are ready to step up. It’s a smarter, more sustainable model — and it’s one that matches where SDARJ is going in its second decade.
Ready to join Forward Together? It’s easy — and you can upgrade at any time, not just at renewal:
- Join or upgrade your membership online
- Email us and we’re happy to help you choose the right tier.
- At renewal
None of this happens without you. Every member, every donation, every march, every conversation — it all adds up to something much larger than any one of us. Ten years of that work is worth celebrating. And the best way we know how to celebrate is to keep going — stronger, bigger, and more committed than ever.
