Creative Flowers Sistah Circle - Zanzibar, TZ Retreat

As part of the YEAR OF BLACK WEALTH & AFROFUTURISM, Unlock Creative Enterprises is taking us back to the motherland to dream about our futures. We will host our first-ever in-person Creative Flowers Sistah Circle retreat in no other than Zanzibar, Tanzania at Sharazad Oasis Retreat in partnership with Backyard Soiree led by Tanzanian-born CEO, Natalie Mgonja.

Cohort Mentors, Ashley Walden and Natalie Mgonja, international partners, will host the retreat and create space for black and brown women from around the world to share valuable lessons learned and build personal connections with one another. We will be joined by a host of Creative Flower alumni, facilitators, and artists sharing in the experience.

Since the inception of Creative Flowers in 2020, there have been over 100 women who have passed through the program over 8 cohorts. This program seeks to provide a nurturing and intergenerational brave space for women from 18-100+ years old to explore the creative sector and build relationships with one another. The Creative Flowers Professional Sistah Circle Retreat Cohort will meet virtually leading up to the retreat to build relationships with one another and explore the creative sector culminating in a 3 day retreat oceanfront in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The goals of the program are as follows:

• To offer Black women a nonjudgmental place where they can be their whole-self, ask hard, racially-based, and sometimes even embarrassing questions to further enhance the knowledge of the entire sister circle acumen of the creative sector.
• To offer a nurturing and supportive space that is also free from anti-blackness.
• To build community with one another and develop relations with peers so each woman knows she is not alone.
• Expand the network of participant peers at various stages of their careers and identify mentors. The Sistah Circle will gain practical resources to further learn about segments of the creative sectors and where to go for support.

Who Should Join the Circle?

As an open and loving place, we will let you identify if you feel the program is right for you. The creative sector includes the nonprofit, fine arts, and entertainment industry and is inclusive but not limited to visual arts, theater, dance, film, graphic design, animation, producing, composing, songwriting, sound engineering, museum management, costume design, lighting design, opera, and technical direction. To learn and curate as eclectic of a group as possible with the broadest network, we welcome all Black women creatives.

The program is being crafted for Black & Brown women who:

• Are interested in exploring and/or entering the creative sector
• Identify as an artist or arts administrator
• Have a passion for creativity, including artists, writers, musicians, designers, and individuals involved in any form of artistic expression
• Have a career in the Creative Sector in US and internationally
• Curious to connect and engage in an intimate sister circle with other black & brown women to share learning
• Have a keen interest in travel, eager to explore new destinations and immerse themselves in different cultures and landscapes
• Seek excitement and adventure, whether through physical activities, cultural exploration, or pushing the boundaries of their creative pursuits
• Are open-minded, willing to engage in diverse conversations, and build connections with like-minded individuals from various backgrounds
• Value the power of community and seek to build meaningful connections with fellow creatives and travel enthusiasts.
• Are on a journey of self-exploration, looking to discover new aspects of themselves, their creativity, and the world around them in a safe and uplifting environment.

Program Design & Dates

The cohort will meet weekly via video conference for one month. The following is an overview of the program design. Individually, each participant will be supported to develop a Self-Investment Plan as part of their personal and professional development journey.

Cohort Timeline

Week 1: April 30, 2024

Welcome & Relationship Building (Partners) - Natalie, Back Yard Soiree & Ashley, Unlock Creative

Introduction to Visiting Tanzania/ Africa

Introduction to Personal Investment Plan

Week 2: May 21, 2024

Check-In - Affirmations

Relationship Building

Week 3: June 1, 2024

Check-In - Affirmations

FINAL Know before you Go

Activity

June 6

Arrival and welcome drink

Hotel tour

Dinner

June 7

Prayer / Meditation

Yoga

Breakfast

Grounding + Welcome

Check-Ins + Introductions (I see you)

Art break

Lunch

Pathways: Black Creatives in Careers

Dinner

PJ Party

June 8

Meditation/Prayer

Breakfast

Journal / Self-Investment Plan Work (Independent)

Review of the Personal Investment Plan

Art Break

Sunset Cruise

Dinner

June 9

Breakfast

Snorkeling + swim with dolphins (optional + Additional cost)

Lunch

Sermon on the beach (optional)

Closing flower circle on the beach/ group photos

Beach party

June 10

Breakfast + Check out

Pricing Options

Sharazad Oasis Retreat - https://sharazadzanzibar.com/

Deluxe Sea View Bungalows - 4 nights - Full Board (Meals included) + Retreat Programming

Single Rooming: $1,000

Double Rooming: $1,500 ($750 per person)

*Pricing made possible by onground partnership with Backyard Soiree.

*Partners, friends, mates, etc are welcome as part of the rooming accommodations. Sistah Circle sessions are for the participants.