Where Voices Rise and Community Gathers

Reflecting on a four-day retreat that empowered local young Black women through creativity, mentorship, and belonging.

When women gather, voices rise, joy multiplies, and magic takes shape.

The Black Girl Summer Retreat was more than a gathering — it was a four-day experience designed to empower local young Black women, ages 16 to 22, through creativity, wellness, mentorship, and community. Over those days, participants celebrated Black Joy, strengthened their sense of identity, and explored self-expression in ways that built confidence and connection.

The act of women coming together creates more than a retreat; it creates transformation. 

Over the course of the retreat, that magic showed up in so many ways— through makeup lessons, photoshoots, and fashion shows that encouraged self-expression; through creative writing, art, and design that opened space for reflection; and through wellness practices that grounded the experience.

Future Black Female, rooted in feminist values, has been creating these pathways of empowerment since 2019. Their initiatives continue to help young women step boldly into their education, careers, and civic engagement while building strong networks and advocating for change.

For us, offering our studio for this retreat was about more than just a spot to gather. It was about holding space where identity could be celebrated, where voices rose together, and where the next generation of female leaders could see themselves reflected in community.

We are deeply humbled to have witnessed the voices, talents, and joy of the young women who gathered here this summer. Their energy filled the loft with transformation, and it was an honour to be part of their journey.

Many thanks for our friends at Future Black Female for choosing our space to host this event — if this blog speaks to you, we encourage you to explore further and see how you can get involved  futureblackfemale.com