Why I Am Moving to a Paid Model: Honoring My Work, My Worth, and Our Collective Liberation
Let's Have The Conversation
This journey hasn’t been easy. For years, I’ve worked tirelessly to create spaces of healing, liberation, and decolonization, all while navigating the daily pressures of capitalism. My work is born out of a deep desire to dismantle oppressive systems and to help others find healing in a world that often feels broken. But it’s also born out of lived experience—navigating the intersections of being Black, multi-ethnic, disabled, fat, and a solo parent—and understanding just how exhausting and depleting the struggle can be.
In recent years, I’ve done my best to keep my work accessible, offering my resources and support to anyone who needs it. But the reality is, this work takes a toll—emotionally, physically, and financially. I’ve come to realize that in order to continue serving my community and creating the change we so desperately need, I have to honor not just the work, but my own worth.
put it best in her article How can we charge for our work while still promoting equitable access?This is why I’m making the difficult but necessary shift to a paid model. I want to be transparent with you about why this decision is essential, how it aligns with my values, and how you can continue to access my work—whether or not you can afford to pay. This is about creating a sustainable way forward, for both myself and the community I love.
I’ve wrestled with this decision for a long time. As someone deeply committed to liberation, healing, and dismantling oppressive systems, it feels hard to balance those values with the realities of capitalism. But I’ve come to a point where I realize that in order to continue the work I’m passionate about—teaching, advocating for change, and helping others heal—I need to honor not only the work but my own worth as well.
For years, I’ve poured my heart, soul, and lived experience into this work. As a Black, multi-ethnic woman, disabled, fat, and a solo parent, I have faced systems of oppression from many angles. My journey is not unique, but my labor—emotional, intellectual, and physical—is deeply personal. I’ve always wanted to make my resources accessible to everyone, especially those most impacted by the systems we are collectively fighting to dismantle. And I still do.
But here’s the truth: I am not independently wealthy. I have bills to pay, children to care for, and a future to plan for. This work is not just a passion; it is how I support myself and my family. I did not take a vow of poverty when I chose this path, nor should I be expected to labor for free in the name of justice.
As a social justice advocate and educator, I believe we are all worthy of being supported and cared for—without needing to "deserve" it. That idea of deserving, of earning the right to exist or to have our needs met, is a colonial construct, born out of systems designed to control and exploit people. In truth, none of us should be navigating capitalism in the first place. Capitalism is one of the greatest barriers to self-care, healing, and community. It was built on the subjugation and ownership of humans, and even today, it is sustained through extraction and exploitation. But within this system, I am worthy of being supported for the work I do.
The reality is, that trying to be accessible while navigating the pressures of capitalism is exhausting. I’ve tried the pay-what-you-can model, and while it comes from a place of deep compassion, it’s not sustainable. I’ve learned that many people—especially those who can afford to—simply don’t pay when they have the option to get something for free. And I end up feeling drained and financially unstable, unable to give my best to the work that matters so much to me.
In addition to my public work, I’ve cultivated an online community where I remain accessible. People text me for support, they message me, and I show up within my capacity because that is how I want to serve. This work is invaluable—not just to me but to the communities I help foster. The question is not about whether this work has value or whether it’s worth the price. The real question is: What wouldn’t you pay for transformative work? What wouldn’t you pay to heal broken bonds, to create sustainable communities, to learn boundaries, and to connect more deeply with the people around you?
There’s no price point for entry to healing, and it is my belief that you can’t hustle healing. But I do believe in being supported for the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual labor it takes to make this work possible.
I’ve seen firsthand how this work changes lives. I’ve witnessed people reclaim their cultural heritage, heal from intergenerational trauma, and build communities that reflect their deepest values. Every time someone tells me that my resources helped them break free from oppressive systems or reconnect with their whole selves, I am reminded that this work is essential. But it’s also labor—deep, soul-expending labor—and in order to continue it, I need to be supported.
That’s why I’m moving to a paid model. My work has worth. It transforms lives, fosters healing, and offers tools for liberation and decolonization. And it deserves to be supported. But I also know that financial hardship is real, and I never want to turn away someone who truly cannot afford to pay.
So here’s my promise: if you need my work and can’t afford it, just message me. I trust you, and I will always make sure my work remains accessible to those who need it most.
I hope you’ll understand this shift not as a barrier, but as a way to ensure that I can continue to do this work for the long haul. Liberation is a marathon, not a sprint. In order to keep showing up, I need to be able to take care of myself and my family, too.
I am worthy of being supported for my work, and so are you. Let's honor that worth together.
As a thank you to all of you who have supported me and my work, beginning November 1st, I will be shifting to a paid model. If you become a paid subscriber, you will receive 10% off any service I provide, including cohorts, workshops, and online courses throughout 2025.
If financial hardship is a barrier, please reach out to me directly at scholarships@desireebstephens.com. I believe in accessibility, and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
To become a paid subscriber, click [here]. Thank you so much for your understanding and for being a part of this journey as we continue to Make Shi(f)t Happen.
With love and solidarity,
Desireé B. Stephens
Educator | Counselor | Community Builder
I support you 100% in moving to a subscription model. We all deserve to be paid for our hard work. You are no exception! Your work is outstanding!
Excellent decision. It's a personal funny coincidence for me that just yesterday I happily went out of my way to go from being a free subscriber to a paid subscriber (I finally had funds for it). As a disabled single/solo mom living check to check, I often felt so guilty for continuing to be "free" when your work is so deep and valuable. The ppl with less money are often more willing to pay (when able) because they have experienced exploitation and do not want to be the source of the exploitation of another. In my personal experiences, because many ppl with the most money are unable to relate to financial struggle or exploitation, they might often be the last ones willing to pay for someone else's labor.