As leaders, community members, creatives, and activists, the work we do isn’t always easy. Trying to create a liberated future—one built from collectivism and equity—is faced with the growing challenges of our political climate, economic barriers, and struggle of daily living. In the height of our uncertainty, what can we do to feel connected? How do we step back, look inwards, and rejuvenate?
Those are questions that Morgan Dawson, a philanthropic consultant and liberation architect, hoped to answer for leaders at Black Future Co-op Fund’s family gathering last month.
From August 27th to 29th, the Fund hosted its grantees at the Snoqualmie tribe’s Salish Lodge for a multi-day retreat focused on connection, rest, and imagination. Community leaders from around Washington came together with the hope of creating a space where everyone was free to let go and imagine—away from the world’s distractions.
For Morgan, this retreat was an opportunity for leaders to realize that they were not alone, and that their dreams were possible. The retreat brought together speakers across sectors: From Dr. Monique Couvson from Grantmakers for Girls of Color, who talked about how to bring your whole self to work, to Erika Totten, a Black liberation and wellness coach who nurtured the spirit of wellness throughout the retreat.
“I wanted to see folks see that…there are other people doing this work, too. There are other people who are in it with you. I want them to see these possibility models.” Dawson said.
The gathering was also a container for attendees to pause and reflect. A poignant moment for Morgan was when, during one of the lunchtime events, a participant allowed themselves to do what so many of us forget to prioritize—rest.
“One of the participants was saying…she was so tired. And [we] said, well, you should go to sleep. And she was like, well, I don’t want to miss the sessions. I was like, I totally get that. But also, the point is for you to rest.”
This value was woven throughout the retreat. Participants were free to take naps when they needed. Speakers continuously emphasized the importance of rest, and workshops were centered around melting down the rigid pressures that life can bind us to.
Lastly, throughout it all, Morgan hoped that leaders were building deep connections with each other, crafting community healing, and leaving with lifelong friends.
Every aspect of the retreat was designed to emulate the importance of these community ties. Workshop speakers were participants in the multi-day experience, making it easy for participants to sit and chat with them. Snoqualmie tribe members shared their journey to buy back the lodge in a touching opening speech, and shared grants offered by the tribe for nonprofit leaders. Everyone, from vendors to speakers to the Fund’s architects emphasized that this was a space for support, and it always would be.
There’s no doubt that we live in trying times. However, gatherings like these remind us that we are not alone, that there are people out there who are with us, who support us, who fight for us. The best we can do is ensure we hold on to each other in our fight for liberation.
“[I wanted participants to leave knowing] that they are worth investing in,” Dawson said.” They might go into rooms by themselves, but they have the whole Co-op behind them. I hope they feel that.”
