When you hear the word **CULT,** what comes to mind?

For many people, the word brings images of isolated compounds, charismatic leaders, or extreme religious groups. But are cults always that obvious? What actually makes a group a cult, and how do high-control groups differ from healthy religious or spiritual communities?

In this introductory support group, we'll explore the fundamentals of cults and high-control groups through a trauma-informed and educational lens. Together, we'll examine common myths and misconceptions, discuss the characteristics of cultic groups, and explore how coercive control can gradually replace freedom, curiosity, and personal autonomy.

Whether you're questioning past experiences, supporting someone who has left a high-control group, or simply interested in learning more, this gathering offers a safe, judgment-free space to learn, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation.

You do not need to identify as a cult survivor to attend. Our goal is to build a shared understanding of what cults are, how they operate, and why recognizing these dynamics can be an important first step toward healing.

**See you on 7/9/2026 @7pm EST**

Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network

BlackRTRN

Gwendolyn Curry

crystalyn

Empress 

Ebony Roots

Empress ShauShe-Ra 

Joella

Let's Talk About Cults: What Makes a Group a Cult?

Online event

After exploring the foundations of cults and high-control groups, this support group takes a closer look at how cultic dynamics can uniquely emerge within Black religious and spiritual communities.

The Black church has long served as a source of faith, resilience, cultural identity, and community. At the same time, some religious and spiritual environments can develop unhealthy patterns of coercive control that leave lasting emotional, psychological, and spiritual wounds.

Together, we'll explore how cultic dynamics may appear in Black religious spaces, including the misuse of authority, fear, shame, conditional belonging, image over truth, spiritual abuse, and the pressure to conform. We'll also discuss why recognizing these dynamics can be especially challenging when faith, family, culture, and community are so deeply interconnected.

Whether you're processing your own experiences or seeking a deeper understanding of cultiic environments, this gathering offers a compassionate space to learn, reflect, and connect with others.
Through education and conversation, we'll begin examining what makes the Black cult survivor experience both deeply personal and uniquely complex.

**See you on 7/23/26 @7pm EST**

Recognizing Cultic Dynamics in Black Religious and Spiritual Communities

Since the month of **August** is considered - **CULT AWARENESS MONTH,** we will continue our series on Cults.

What do groups like **Jonestown**, **Branch Davidians**, **Carbon Nation**, Hebrew Israelites and other well-known high-control movements have in common?

Although these groups differ in their beliefs, leadership, and history, many share strikingly similar patterns of coercive control, manipulation, and psychological influence. By examining these real-world examples, we can better understand how cultic dynamics operate—and why they can be so difficult to recognize while we're experiencing them.

In this support group, we'll explore several historical and modern cults through a trauma-informed lens, identifying the common dynamics that exist across many high-control groups. Together, we'll discuss topics such as charismatic leadership, thought reform, fear, shame, isolation, unquestioned authority, identity transformation, and the gradual loss of personal autonomy.

Throughout the evening, we'll also view brief video clips and engage in interactive discussions to help us recognize these patterns in action and deepen our understanding of how coercive influence works.

Whether you're a survivor, questioning past experiences, supporting someone who has left a high-control group/cult, or simply interested in learning more, this gathering offers a compassionate, judgment-free space to learn, reflect, and connect with others.

Our goal isn't to sensationalize these groups—it's to understand them. Because when we recognize the patterns, we become better equipped to make sense of our own experiences, support survivors, and protect ourselves and our communities from coercive control.

**See you on 8/6/26 @7pm EST**

Intune WTW - Laresa

Jen Morgan

From Jonestown to Carbon Nation: Exploring Cult Dynamics Across Popular Cults

We are continuing our **#AugustisCultAwarenessMonth** series.

Leaving a cult or high-control religious or spiritual community is often only the beginning of the healing journey.
Long after someone leaves, they may continue to struggle with fear, shame, grief, identity confusion, self-doubt, difficulty trusting others, or uncertainty about what comes next.

Recovery from cultic abuse is rarely a single event—it is a gradual process of making sense of what happened, rebuilding trust in yourself, and learning to move forward with greater freedom and confidence.

In this support group, we'll explore the emotional, psychological, and relational impact of cultic abuse while discussing common experiences many survivors face during recovery. Together, we'll examine topics such as grief and loss, cognitive dissonance, trauma bonds, establishing healthy boundaries, and finding hope after high-control environments.

Whether you've recently left a high-control group/cult or have been on your healing journey for years, this gathering offers a compassionate space to learn, reflect, connect with others, and be reminded that recovery is possible.
Healing doesn't happen overnight—but you don't have to navigate the journey alone.

**See you on 8/13/26 @7pm EST**

Breaking Free: Navigating Recovery After Cultic Abuse

Healing doesn't end when you leave a cult or high-control religious or spiritual community—it begins there.

After surviving coercive control, many people find themselves asking: *Who am I now? What do I believe? How do I trust myself again? What does a healthy future look like?*
This final gathering in our Cult Awareness Month series focuses on life beyond survival.

Together, we'll explore what it means to move forward after cultic abuse by rebuilding trust in ourselves, developing healthy relationships and community, embracing personal autonomy, and creating a life that reflects our own values, hopes, and aspirations.

Whether you're taking your first steps after leaving a high-control group or have been healing for years, this support group offers a compassionate space to reflect on your journey, celebrate your growth, and consider what comes next.
Leaving a cult may be part of your story—but it does not have to define your future.
Join us as we conclude our series with a conversation centered on hope, healing, and discovering the many possibilities that exist beyond cultic control.

Beyond the Cult: Finding Your Way Forward

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Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network

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