Retreating While Black at Soho Farmhouse

It’s not often that Black people find themselves leaning into rest, rejuvenation, and reclamation. Be it the pervasion of hustle culture or that Black achievers find themselves overachieving as a panacea for fear of failure, or toxic exertion as a response to oppression, or being told that we have to work twice as hard – respite is rarely an option for us. 

Last weekend at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, this endemic was challenged with Retreating While Black, a retreat cofounded by Adrienne Everett, one of Soho House’s most in-demand yoga teachers, and Chris Glass, Soho House’s Membership Director for Africa. ‘Retreating While Black emerged from a time when the trauma of being Black was palpable and the need for a space of comfort, community, and healing was at its highest,’ said Glass, when asked about the initiative’s origins. Everett, who ideated the concept and joined forces with Glass to bring the event to life echoed this sentiment: ‘Retreating While Black was created to cultivate a space to let our strength guards down, practice peace, and activate intention.’

The first instalment of Retreating While Black, fondly acronymised to RWB by attendees, took place in late 2021 at White City House, and following its success members demanded that it continue and expand as the need for healing was immense. The most recent retreat welcomed 30 leading creatives of colour from Europe, the UK and the US to the Farm for two days of mind, body, and heart activations and restoration. 

Commencing with poetry and meditation, intentions were set for the weekend, which included sessions run by experts and entrepreneurs who were themselves attendees. Deep explorations of identity and self-worth, breathwork, discussions around financial wellbeing, plus yoga, dance and Black gastronomy made for two days of taking up space where it mattered most. 

Charlotte Mensah, the doyenne of the natural haircare movement and Afro Hairdresser of the Year, shared her personal journey and offered advice to Black creatives navigating their own trajectory. ‘I feel so blessed to be in this place and see this type of initiative going ahead,’ said the multi-award-winning hairstylist and entrepreneur who also gifted guests with her latest book, Good Hair: The Essential Guide To Afro, Textured And Curly Hair. 

After the retreat, Tamu McPherson, fashion savant and corporate social responsibility ambassador for Bulgari, wrote, ‘Thank you for helping me to open neglected doors’. As for what RWB really meant when asked, she added, ‘It was proof of the universe’s power to align human beings through the flow of intentional vibrations.’

‘I found myself at the centre of a portal opening toward a deeper path of healing and transformation led by the grace of Retreating While Black,’ said Elijah McKinnon, artist and activist, and cofounder of the intersectional web platform, Open Television (OTV). ‘Chris and Adrienne have created something truly special for Black people along the diaspora to reconnect with peace and intention.’ McKinnon flew in from Chicago to co-lead a session that allowed for intimate confessions and facilitated a collective shedding of tears, a washing of souls.

Sadly, being in a space where the intention is restoration isn’t the norm for us as Black people, and this is especially the case for ambitious and creative Black people. Retreating While Black was a slingshot for those of us in need of repose and to make headway in the achievement of goals and wins. The weekend was testimony that retreating is a necessary tool for those aiming to achieve, disrupt, soar, and thrive sustainably. 

Members at the event enjoyed sample juices from PRESS, tonics from Pentire, and Soho House’s Island Negronis, courtesy of Banks 5 Island Rum.