Last updated June 14, 2024
We are all in for Women of Color wellness travel. Meet six change makers rewriting the narrative with their Black-owned wellness retreats.
Being Black and living in America does come with pros. It gifts us that coveted golden ticket—our passport—which grants us entry into almost every country in the world.
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However, the weight of our “Blackness” and “womanhood” is heavy, both collectively and individually. While no two stories are alike, this heaviness can wear down even the strongest of souls.
Living in a system that doesn’t necessarily operate for us, but rather against us, can be disheartening. It can also be troubling and create highly toxic environments both within our hearts and spirit.
Despite this, community, sisterhood and travel are rewriting the narrative that Black women share, giving us the space to heal.
Six Black-Owned Wellness Retreats for Mind, Body & Soul
While no one path to healing and pursuing wellness (mind, body, soul) is identical, there are some change-makers on the scene. These Black women are spreading love and teaching us how to heal our souls so we can heal collectively.
1. Whole Experience
Pack your bags as you head to the heart of Kenya with Whole Experience. Centered around building a supportive community to restore your wellness, this Black-owned wellness retreat offers transformational retreats and holistic coaching programs.
Founders Tameika G and Whitney Gee share the why behind establishing Whole Experience. “We saw the retreat space as being very linear. It wasn’t super inclusive of women of all shapes, sizes and walks of life. So, we created a retreat space for everyBODY. One that empowers Women of Color to come together and focus on their health and wellness.”
All we is ask is that you bring an open mind to our retreats.
Tameika G and Whitney Gee, founders of Whole Experience
Whole Experience retreats blend meditation, yoga, fitness and wellness workshops with a healthy dose of JOY! Adventures and tours include safaris in Kenya or salsa dancing in Colombia. In addition, the retreats create an environment to build sisterhood and community.
Whole Experience retreat tip: Attendees do a lot of unique activities that they may not be used to. These include sound therapy healing and cocoa ceremonies. When you come with an open mind and no expectations, it allows you to be fully present and to experience something totally new.
2. IMARA Retreat
If you have an inkling for transformative retreats that deepen your connection to your higher self, IMARA Retreat provides just this. You’ll explore the depths of your power, create long-lasting sisters-ships and work on personal development. All while visiting a new country.
IMARA is an immersive and emotive life-changing experience that helps women reconnect to their true power. Greater personal awareness is created and new intentions are set to help attendees reconnect to self and others, in deeper, more meaningful ways.
All this via a specially curated program—leaving an attendee refreshed and renewed ready to take on the world as a better version of herself.
This Black-owned wellness retreat offers a sacred space to blossom, with a focus on wellness, personal and professional development that both invigorates and educates simultaneously.
3. OMNoire
Founded by Christina Rice, OMNoire is all about attracting high vibes focusing on three pillars: breathing, experience and life.
This Black-owned wellness retreat aims to build community and foster a sacred space for Black women and Women of Color to thrive and embrace the journey of life.
OMNoire has been hosting retreats since 2017 with Black women from around the world who are looking to reset, recharge and redesign their lives.
The immersive luxury retreat experiences and adventures focus on bringing the power of OM to life. Retreats take place in locations from a wine + wellness escape in California’s wine country to a mindful goddess expedition in Columbia.
4. Leisano Living
Through mindfulness and meditation, Leisano Living offers a way to step outside of your comfort zone and take a pause (deep breath here) as you relax, recharge and restore your soul.
Owner Leisan Echols started Leisano Living for very personal reasons. After boldly walking away from her “dream job” due to burnout in January 2018, she embarked on a six-month adventure to wellness that took her across the Caribbean and Southeast Asia.
As a dietitian and exercise physiologist who strongly believes in the healing power of travel, Echols was determined to build a business that provides Black women with tools to optimize their well-being and immerses them in new cultures to promote self-discovery.
Step outside of your comfort zone—this is when the magic happens.
Leisan Echols, owner of Leisano Living
“That journey in 2018 breathed new life into me, giving me clarity and direction on what I would do next. And in short, that’s how Leisano Living was born,” says Echols.
Today Leisano Living is a successful Black-owned wellness travel brand and pioneer in research-based health retreats and programs.
Leisano Living retreat tip: Being open to new experiences allows you to connect fully, push past physical and mental barriers, and reach a different level of freedom. At the same time, you will find beautiful pieces of yourself along the way that you didn’t even know existed.
5. Africa With Us
Looking for active retreats with expert local guides? Africa With Us is all about understanding, spreading and experiencing the exoticness and richness of Kukuwa Fitness, a combination of African dance, fitness, cultural exploration and community service.
This Black-owned wellness retreat will have you swaying your body to a variety of African music. You will dance and dine at various retreat destinations from Senegal and the Gambia to Botswana and South Africa.
Additionally, you’ll sample various cuisines to enrich your body, participate in community service to enrich your soul and have incredible cultural experiences to enrich your mind.
6. Black Women Healing Retreats
Owner Satya traded in her heels for sandals only to discover that she was happier barefoot. And founded the first wellness and healing sanctuary centered around Black women.
All about crafting luxury experiences for the Black woman traveler, Black Women Healing Retreats takes luxury to the next level. And we’re not talking about fashion, but luxury in the sense of deserving to feel good (mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually).
Choose your personal path (healing, yoga and meditation, or self-care) as you jungle bathe in serene greeneries ranging from Jamaica to Costa Rica at this Black-owned wellness retreat.
About Vacayou
At Vacayou [pronounced VACAY – YOU], we believe that travel has the power to change lives. The power to revive, rejuvenate and redirect your inner wellness warrior. And that’s why we’re here. Vacayou brings the world of wellness travel to you!
No matter how far or how adventurous, our team scours the globe to curate the best in wellness travel. However, the booking process can often be time-consuming and complicated. We’ve made it much easier to search, discover, and book wellness and active vacations. With Vacayou’s Instant Book, your dream wellness getaway is now just one click away.
Start the trip of your lifetime today, with Vacayou. We are here to help create a healthier global community through wellness and active travel.
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