Black History Matters:
A Spiritual + Historical Journey for Women of Color to the Roots of our History, Destiny & Power
A Gullah Island Retreat
Sea Islands, South Carolina
October 5-9, 2017
A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture
is like a tree without roots. Marcus Garvey
NOURISH YOUR SOUL
Imagine heading to the beautiful Gullah Islands on the coast of South Carolina with an intimate group of amazing soul sisters. From Beaufort to Charleston, together we’ll explore the richness of the Gullah Culture throughout the diverse Sea Island region.
The soul connections are instantly felt. The familiarity of your lives and similar journeys are comforting. No need to explain yourself-you feel immediately accepted by this sisterhood of women. Picture yourself sitting on a beautifully decorated verandah, one of Beaufort’s magnificent Colonial Era Bed & Breakfast’s shaded by majestic oak trees. The night breeze cools you and you look out onto the perfectly manicured garden. You and your newfound sister-friends drinking your mint julep cocktails; sharing stories and remarking that 100 years ago, this scene would not have been possible.
You feel so blessed to be in the company of these dynamic women, all open and ready to give and receive love and support; sharing intimacies that for some reason, already feels natural and sacred.
It’s so refreshing to have real conversation, heartfelt and sincere; in a space that’s safe to be completely yourself, with nothing held back. You speak your mind. You speak your heart. You listen and share as others do the same, freely revealing thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams. And most of all, you find your fascination with the Gullah culture and people growing. You are so excited at the idea of how it’s deepening your own self-confidence and who you are and can be in the world.
Why Gullah?
Well, when enslaved West Africans were brought to the South Carolina Sea Islands to work the rice and cotton fields, many fled to Sea Islands to start the first freedman’s village in the United States. Others were enslaved and forced to work on the plantations in the region.
Because of the geographic location separated by the mainland and strong sense of community, the descendants have been able to preserve their African cultural heritage. These descendants became known as the Gullah people, which means “a people blessed by God.”
For me, Gullah represents the motherland; and the motherland represents our core foundation as strong African American women. Although throughout most of the South, our rich African culture perished with slavery – in the Sea Islands it has been kept powerfully alive through the language, food and customs. On this retreat, we’ll pull from the strength of our powerful ancestors and bring their wisdom and power into our everyday lives.
“The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are”
Maya Angelou
Wow – this sounds fascinating. What is a Spiritual Retreat? Tell me more.
Girlfriend, how would it feel to be actually LIVING a great life instead of just thinking or talking about it?
Using mindfulness tools to experience the present moment, you will learn how to stop “shoulding” on yourself and enjoy the freedom that is yours to have. And our customized life-planning program will leave you motivated to take inspired action to create the life you’ve always dreamed of!
Wouldn’t you love to drop the burdens of the past, have confidence in yourself and know that you’re on track to make a difference in the world?
Then let’s make it happen! Through journaling, meditating and sharing, you will understand how to drop the frustration, heartache and disappointment. And after learning about your miraculous history and tapping into your inner strength, you will map a vision for the future that leaves you ready to overcome any obstacle and leave a legacy of achievement and inspiration.
Imagine how it would feel to deeply love and value yourself and move through life with boldness and confidence in yourself?
Together, we will explore the meaning and sources of true self-worth, and through my simple but powerful self-love process, you will come to know and appreciate your own value without needing to prove yourself to anyone anymore.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to feel a sense of oneness and connectedness everywhere you go?
Well, get ready for a new kind of communion! During our time together, you will practice mindfulness tools that will bring you into contact with the true source of your joy and love – The God in You! And then, merged with what really matters, you’ll see your life and the world with new eyes.
Ready to be surrounded by a sisterhood of women who understand you without saying a word?
Come release your fatigue of the “only one” syndrome; your frustration about having to prove yourself more than your counterparts do; and your fears and tears from seeing our brothers slain in the streets. Using powerful prayer and intimate sharing, we’ll unburden ourselves so we can better support ourselves, our families and our community.
How would you feel if you could trade in your “sometimey” friendships for deeper connections, real conversations, and a truly meaningful lifestyle?
Well, start imagining, because throughout our time together, we’ll support you in being able to share your deepest self in a safe, loving environment, leaving you with a new experience of what’s possible in your life.
Travel the Globe
“Whereas our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel ourselves entitled to participate in the blessings of her luxuriant soil.” Richard Allen
Our days will be a melange of a spiritual journey, historical culture & exploration, local fun and outdoor adventure. From the picturesque narrow streets to the lovely green parks, we will meander and discover all the charm that is Beaufort. Hearing the local storytellers (or griots) regale of the stories of the heroes and heroines who proudly held and remained steadfast to their history and heritage will have you standing tall in who you are. And enjoying the bountiful flavors of authentic foods and low country cooking will have you celebrating traditional foods from our history like: succulent juicy shrimp and creamy grits, low-country boil, old fashioned collard greens with a side of sweet moist cornbread...yummy. Everything has been perfectly designed for you to relax in safe space nurtured by sisters who are excited to support you in your process.
The Venue
Our home base will be in Beaufort, South Carolina where we’ll spend our afternoons in and between the Sea Islands discovering and un-peeling the layers of our past. Our mornings and evenings will be spent in our majestic bed & breakfast, reveling in the splendor of Southern hospitality.
You will enjoy old world charm and new world comfort, with classic, modern day amenities. Hardwood floors, fireplaces, gardens, verandahs and balconies are just some of the features that will enhance your experience in during our enchanting bed & breakfast stay. Breakfast consists of a full southern spread in the exquisite dining room to prepare us for our full day ahead.
Following magnificent and inspiring days of learning, experiencing and enjoying the richness of Beaufort and the Sea Islands, our Beaufort Bed and Breakfast will welcome us home with its unique Southern flair of tea and dessert or a nightcap sitting on the verandah or in the lush garden area while we share intimacies and reflections of our moving days.
Retiring to your well-appointed room after a full day will feel like slipping on warm fluffy slippers after a day in those sexy Manolo Blahniks reserved for special occasions. Whether you are in the mood to sit in your large comfy chair with your journal or a good book, or soaking in the claw-foot bathtub or standing under the walk-in rainwater shower as the beads of water massage your head, neck and shoulders, your bedroom will be your haven to relax and release and rest. Any or all of the above will prepare you to slowly drift off to sleep in your antique canopy bed covered in luxurious bedding.
Curious? Take a peek below:
In addition to the wonderful amenities that you would expect at a AAA, 4 diamond Inn, you will also you will enjoy:
- Glass of champagne welcoming your arrival (only the best for you)
- Daily famous full southern breakfast (start planning your post retreat diets now)
- Coffee, tea, Lemonade, and homemade cookies throughout the day (oh my!)
- Evening hors d’oeuvres (let’s add a pre-retreat diet too)
- Homemade desserts in the evening (maybe a diet, detox and a fast)
- Use of fun beach cruiser bicycles (we will need all the exercise we can get)
- Beach towels, beach chairs and umbrellas for your trip to one of south Carolinas most impressive beaches (nice touch, I must say)
- The private, exclusive sanctuary club at cat island (ooh la la)
Cuisine
Sis, you may want to either start a diet right before enjoying the fabulous feasts or wait until you get home because you will not be able to resist the delicious low country southern cuisine starting with southern buffet breakfasts of scrambled eggs, homemade waffles, fresh fruit and preserves, fluffy biscuits and so much more….Yes, every morning we receive a buffet full of Southern favorites. Can’t you just taste it?
You will absolutely love the bountiful flavors of authentic foods and low country cooking; succulent juicy shrimp and creamy grits, lowcountry boil, rich and creamy she-crab soup and old fashioned collard greens with a side of sweet moist cornbread…delicious.
And you know, everything tastes better fried; and they sure know how to fry up some food in the South. Succulent, juicy fried chicken, crispy fried fish with crunchy hushpuppies, colossal fresh fried shrimp and topped off with some old fashioned fried green tomatoes. Green smoothie detox starts the day after we all get home. I will share my detox recipes with you. I am so seriousJ
And for dessert, you will delight in some authentic Lowcountry Benne wafers. Benne is the Bantu-word for sesame and was brought from East Africa and is now South Carolina’s most famous desert. Looks yummy doesn’t it?
If you’re a chocolate lover like me, you will absolutely love all of the French inspired chocolate desserts that abound in and near Charleston, like chocolate macaroons, chocolate ganache and my favorite-creamy, whipped devilishly good chocolate mousse. And if chocolate isn’t your thing, no worries, there are plenty of other sweet treats to keep you smiling for days, pies and creams and cakes, oh my!
To cool you off during those warm days, how about a tall cool glass of lemonade top with a fresh sprig of mint? Or you can try an Arnold Palmer with sweet tea and lemonade. It’s sweet and tangy deliciousness in a glass. I haven’t had one, but I hear an Arnold Palmer with Bourbon is sublime. And aren’t you looking forward to sipping on a mint julip, full of sweet minty goodness? I know I am.
Your Transformational Journey
Our Daily Practice
There so much in store for you on your inner journey. Each day on our amazing retreat, you will practice tools that will support you on your spiritual journey. There is so much power in the coming together of women to connect with their Divinity; to nourish our souls and share our light with others. If you already have a solid practice, then you will enjoy the time away to go deeper, grow your relationship with your loving Creator; and allow the synergy of a beautiful group dynamic to raise your energy and empower you even more. And who knows, you may even pick up a couple of new tools for your toolkit. And If you don’t already have a steady, habitual practice, don’t worry, sis, I got you. We will build one together, so that when you go back home, you can easily continue on your amazing path to freedom. So, what does this look like? I’m glad you asked.
Every day, we will begin with a group meditation, each day focusing on different types of meditative practice so you can discover what resonates with you. From silent, to guided, to mantra, we will have fun exploring a wide range of an ancient and effective ways to connect with your Divine nature. In addition to our daily meditations, we will use journaling exercises to excavate and clean out our internal houses; we will practice using active visualization & positive affirmations to create new visions for our lives; we will perform powerful forgiveness rituals to help release us the pains of our individual and collective pasts. We will also learn how to intentionally tap into our gratitude genes to allow us to embody our natural state of appreciation. And finally, the art of surrender will allow us to completely be set free.
Are you ready to be free sis?
DAY 1: VISION
Welcome to Beaufort, South Carolina. We will begin our sojourn together, learning about the rich Gullah history and her people, while weaving lessons about our own personal journeys, uncovering the truth about our collective and individual stories.
Ready to write a new story for your life? Storytelling has always been a part of our collective strengths and you will reclaim this waning art form to empower yourself to write a new story of hope and vision for your future.
For centuries, Africa recited tales of courage and strength of her sheros; She spoke words of freedom and joy of their future; She whispered softly of her hope and love for her daughters; And She sang melodies of sorrow and heartbreak to them too.
We begin our journey together creating new visions for our lives. You will learn how to develop or deepen your own visioning process to create life you desire. Armed with new tools and a fresh perspective, you will be ready to dive into day two.
DAY 2: ACCEPTANCE
On the second day of our journey, we will explore the extraordinary history of the Sea Islands starting with Beaufort.
The closest connection to West Africa in the United States, the sometimes overlooked Sea Islands in South Carolina provides us with a glimpse of a painful past yet resilient people.
Picture standing in the center of the St. Helena Island’s Penn Center, the site of one of the nation’s first schools for freed Blacks the same place where Dr. Martin Luther King, years later used for as his own retreat center.
You will also really appreciate encounters with real Gullah life. We will learn about the intricate art of making sweetgrass baskets, which is one of the most treasured Gullah traditions in the Lowcountry as well as the indigo-dyeing tradition of Ibile, from Nigeria, which is also practiced on the Sea Islands.
From the Gullah Museum preserved by the great-granddaughter of its original owner to a visit of the first post-Civil War settlement for freed Blacks, we will do it all. The emotion of visiting slave quarters may be overwhelming, I know. Walking inside the unimaginable hovel where so many suffered and perished is no task for the faint of heart. Together though, we will face the demons of the past; deal with our heavy emotions; pray for forgiveness and strength; and vow to cherish the memories of our ancestors. No historic site will be left unseen; no honor will be left unpaid.
You will also learn about the language of the people. Their words are like pieces of broken glass bonded together with glue and tape and any other adhesive available to enable the drinker to quench her intense thirst. Called Gullah or Geechee, names for the same dialect, a melange of West African and colonial-era English, this language has been preserved, passed on from generation to generation. You will hear the beautiful ancient island patois and journey back to an ancient time and ancient place.
After taking in all of the emotion and power of the past, we will share how we can use attributes of courage and strength in our daily lives to find our own way to freedom.
We will also learn tools necessary to face, overcome and conquer any obstacles from our past, present or future.
DAY 3: MOVEMENT
All visions require action, so today we move and have a little fun in Beaufort. The raw beauty of the Sea Islands are simply mesmerizing. Its vast waterfront, lighthouses, charming streets, historic mansions, beautiful gardens and majestic live oak trees in one tiny city is the perfect retreat destination.
Your day will begin with an early morning kayaking adventure. Your exciting escapade will take you through the shallow waters that are home to thousands of coastal seabirds and marine life including dolphins. Apparently, bottlenose dolphin sightings are a common occurrence in that area. Whether you are a beginner or experienced kayaker, you are guaranteed to have a delightful time on our kayaking adventure together.
If you are a little braver, how about trying stand up paddle boarding or SUPing. Yes, paddle boarding while standing! Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe and is a popular activity for visitors to the Carolina Coast. We will take some braver souls through smaller waterways exploring rivers, creeks and marshlands, experiences unique to those that get their paddle on!
Whether you choose kayaking or SUPing, we will push our boundaries, move outside our comfort zones and take our brave new selves back home to conquer other new adventures. As you continue your inward journeys, you will consider specific ways on how you can take action in your life to enliven and realize your dreams and visions.
After a little rest, reflection and comfort food, we gather together to create our action plan; the plan that will take us forward implementing our big visions for our lives.
DAY 4: SURRENDER
Time to say ahh and relax those muscles you worked the day before. Today, it’s all about relaxation, You know every reginethetravelqueen retreat has to include pampering. Today, we visit one of Beaufort’s boutique day spas so you can relax and let go of any stress still nagging at you. Whether a facial, massage or combination, you will slip into complete release and relaxation mode for the day.
And we will continue to surrender into our afternoon session and how we can all learn to let go and let God in our daily lives. No life map plan is complete without learning how to surrender. As Black Women, we often carry way too much, we take on stuff that’s ours as well as stuff that has no business on our plates. Today, we surrender it all to a Power greater than us, that is waiting for us to give it all over.
The pampering doesn’t end in massages. The only way to properly conclude such a luxurious day is to end it with a fine dining experience in one of area’s beautiful private dining restaurants. Overlooking the majestic sunset, you will enjoy a three course meal surrounded by your royal Soul Sisters.
DAY 5: MAINTENANCE
It’s time to say goodbye; solidify our bonds; and to impart our final words. We will share a beautiful ceremony that will pull together all of our hard work and bless our time together.
In our final workshop, you will learn why you need an excellent support system; you will acquire more tools for sustaining your personal growth; and even get a couple of tricks that I have picked up along my journey that I can’t wait to share with you.
And finally, we will mastermind together on how we can all take all of this greatness back to our families, our homes, our communities and our find our unique way to share our gifts with the world.
INSPIRE THE WORLD
After seeing and experiencing the history and culture of the resilient Gullah People, you will no doubt feel more empowered to create your own legacy. Through seeing and experiencing the rich history and culture of the extraordinary Gullah People, you will see yourself and know your own Greatness. That’s where your inner journey will begins. You will tap into your wisdom source and your true source so you can begin to access your greatness; the greatness of your grandmother, and her grandmother and her grandmother. The greatness of your earth mother and spirit mother.
“I have crossed over on the backs of Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Madam C. J. Walker. Because of them I can now live the dream. I am the seed of the free, and I know it. I intend to bear great fruit.” Oprah Winfrey
What’s Included
- Beautiful accommodations– SINGLE* occupancy four nights; five days at a 4 diamond Bed & Breakfast in Beaufort, South Carolina
- 5 delicious Southern styled full breakfasts
- An authentic catered Gullah styled luncheon
- Our pampering day sunset private dining experience
- An educational and entertaining Gullah Geechee storytelling presentation
- 3 amazing powerful workshops and exercises plus lots of juicy retreat conversations
- Transportation for our day trips
- Our customized tour for the Gullah experience in Beaufort & the Sea Islands
- A tour of one of the most significant African American historical and cultural institutions & one of the country’s first schools for freed Blacks
- Our outdoor kayaking adventure tour including rental equipment
- A Mini coaching session to support you in your transformation
* There are extremely limited double occupancy rooms. Please contact us for pricing.
What’s Not Included
- Your roundtrip airfare and transportation to Beaufort, S.C.
- Any meal not listed above
- Any spa treatment
- Other non-included items would be travel insurance, excess baggage charges & airport taxes, beverages (alcohol, soda), personal items, and souvenir shopping!
- Additional excursions**
** Want to go to Charleston with me for an additional day to see more of the rich Gullah culture, learn about the contributions of Black Charlestonians and eat some more amazing low-country cuisine? Contact me for details.
“Regine the Travel Queen”
Your Sister Guide on Your Journey of Self-Discovery
Growing up, I always felt that I didn’t belong. I was ridiculed and teased for the way I looked. I grew up in a time when being dark skinned was not cool, especially in the South. And top of that with my “nappy” hair, I was the exact opposite of what a beautiful girl should look like. It was painful. I felt ashamed and embarrassed to be me.
Because of my insecurities, I looked outside myself for validation. As I got older, I filled out, my hair grew longer and I developed a great smile. In the end, I became quite a cutie (thank God!)
With all my insecurities, I naturally welcomed all the attention I started getting from men, and I began dating to fill the emptiness inside. Of course, I didn’t realize that that’s what I was doing at the time; I just wanted to have fun. But truthfully, I was looking for love in all the wrong places.
I was always a pretty smart girl, too, and in some ways that saved my life. I studied hard, got good grades, graduated high school, went to college and ultimately became a high-profile lawyer earning accolades that continued to feed my self-image.
On the surface, everything seemed great. But underneath, I was overworked, stressed out and scared of losing the game. Eventually, I didlose – and I lost big. I was fired in a big and public way. Humiliated and deflated, my sense of self-worth was crushed.
That crisis forced to me to reassess my values and priorities. For the first time in my life, I really began heeding my intuition. I was led to disconnect from the world, figure out who I really was and what was going on inside me. And then, I began an intensive process to fall in love myself fully and completely. Having been a lifelong learner, it was now time to use all of my book knowledge, years of coaching and my spiritual and personal development work and take the transformational journey from my head to my heart.
And after my long period of self-reflection and metamorphosis, here’s what I learned: I learned that nothing outside me will complete me or make me happy, and that attaching my self-worth to a person, job, career or anything external was a recipe for disaster (not to mention pain and suffering). I also began connect deeper with and be inspired by who I am historically, including the rich heritage of courageous and brilliant souls who have come before me.
I know now beyond the shadow of a doubt that I’m okay just as I am; that I am a spiritual, endowed with all of the qualities and characteristics of my Creator; that I do not have to prove myself to anyone and there’s always space for me to be my real self.
And now that real Self wants nothing more than to share her life lessons with YOU . . . so you can also know how valuable you are and learn how to create a happier, more authentic and richly empowered life – without all the pain and suffering!
Now let me share a little more of my vision with you: I discovered during my own transformation that meditation and wellness retreats were like lifelines to me – and helped me stay balanced over the years. However, on most of the retreats I attended, I seldom saw other women of color. So one day it occurred to me: If these experiences feed my soul, wouldn’t other sisters be nourished by them, too? In fact, what if I could create a sisterhood of like-minded women who want to travel the world and discover and strengthen their authentic selves at the same time?
Today, my vision is still expanding, and it’s very exciting. I’m creating a sort of “ecosystem for fun and learning” –off the beaten path, including enriching, luxury retreats for Women of Color who want to disconnect from their hectic lives and reconnect with their true selves.
And my greatest joy is to see these women return home feeling as rejuvenated and transformed as I felt, with all the tools and techniques they need to live a healthier, more empowered and beautifully balanced lives.
My vision for you is to realize who you are. To see yourself as unstoppable. To let yourself shine!
Does this sound like you? Then by all means join me. Let’s nourish our souls; travel the globe & inspire the world together.
Contact Us
Rhett House Inn