Imagine a space where you don’t just have permission to rest, but are actively encouraged to do so. For many Black women, this is a rare and precious commodity. Enter the Soul Sabbatical ReFresHer Retreat, an experience designed to offer just that: a chance to breathe, find clarity, and reconnect with oneself.
A Sanctuary for Release and Connection
At Jackie B. Grice’s Soul Sabbatical ReFresHer Retreat, tears of release flowed freely, followed by laughter and dancing. Held at the luxurious Salamander Resort and Spa in Virginia, owned by Sheila Johnson, the retreat brought together over 30 Black women from diverse backgrounds. The common thread? A deep desire for permission – permission to rest, to pray, to be still, and to speak openly about their lives, aspirations, and challenges.
Grice, founder of Launching Deeper Enterprises, created this space specifically because she felt a void in existing retreats. ‘Women carry so much, and we never release it,’ she told Travel Noire. ‘This space is where women can release their titles and who people call them.’
The Genesis of the Soul Sabbatical
The inspiration for the Soul Sabbatical came from a deeply personal moment of crisis for Grice. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, her business, Agape Travel and Tours, faced immense financial strain. Seeking guidance, her pastor advised her to spend two days in complete silence. This period of stillness led to a profound clarity that reshaped her purpose and became the foundation for her work empowering others through Launching Deeper Enterprises.
Grice, also a successful CEO, recognized that while many retreats focused on meditation or social gatherings, few offered a space for complete vulnerability. The Soul Sabbatical is designed for those seeking clarity and confidence in their life’s calling, providing an environment where they can be 100% themselves.
A Weekend of Healing and Reflection
The retreat’s programming blends guided prayer, journaling, and meditation with ample free time for attendees to explore the resort, nap without guilt, or simply ‘be.’ Powerful moments often arise from conversations, particularly between elder women who have navigated life’s challenges and younger attendees seeking wisdom on topics like marriage and purpose. Workshops on financial wellness also offer honest insights into building wealth intentionally.
The core message woven throughout the experience is that rest is not idleness; it is productive. Clarity often comes not from doing more, but from finally doing less. This philosophy directly combats the ‘Superwoman Schema’ that often pressures Black women to suppress emotions and prioritize others at their own expense.
Rest as Radical Resistance
Research consistently shows that Black women face disproportionately high levels of chronic stress and poor sleep. The Soul Sabbatical is framed as a radical act of resistance against historical pressures to constantly produce and endure. By creating this space, Grice aims to disrupt those patterns and foster a culture of prioritizing wellbeing.
The impact is palpable. By the final day, attendees often appear brighter and lighter, reporting a calmer mind and a clearer sense of direction. Grice, who already has a waiting list for future retreats, hopes to eventually expand the concept to include a men’s retreat, but for now, her focus remains on providing the transformative space she once needed herself.
Does the idea of a ‘Soul Sabbatical’ resonate with you? What does permission to rest mean in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
