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“Writing then becomes a way to embrace the mysterious, to walk with spirits, and an entry into the realm of the sacred. ”
This retreat is for Black artists who:
Want to bring clarity and intention to their writing through somatic practices.
Value ritual, community building, and Black feminism as a creative framework.
Seek creative practices that honor their emotional well-being, spiritual grounding, and sense of social connection.
About Retreat Host
Retreat facilitator Ciarra Ross is a writer, trained meditation practitioner, and second-generation family historian turned artist living in New York City. As the founder of Querent Studio, Ciarra develops narrative strategies for organizations and emerging artists working toward land justice, immigrant rights, queer and trans liberation, reproductive justice, andadvocacy of sexual assault survivors. Over the last decade, she has given talks at Columbia University, Spelman College, University of Michigan, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on visual culture, media exploitation, and somatic healing.
Day One Itinerary
Welcome & Grounding 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Host Introduction + Retreat Overview
Group introductions: Each attendee shares about their work
Grounding Exercise: Collective Ancestor Veneration & Libation
Community Agreements: Shaping the container for how we will share and hold space together
11:00 AM – 11:10 AM Break
Session 1: On Reading Black Writers 11:10 AM - 12:30 PM
Interactive Teach-in
Solo Reading & Writing Practice
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch Break
Session 2: Somatic Meditation & Solo Writing Practice 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Regroup + Check-in
Guided Somatic Meditation Session
Guided Somatic Movement Session
Structured Quiet Writing with Optional Prompts
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM Break
Day 1 Closing: Somatic Group Check-In 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Group Reflections + Share
Closing Meditation - 15 min
Day Two Itinerary
Grounding Morning Meditation + Group Discussion 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Grounding Exercise: Collective Breathwork Session
Group Discussion: Check In + Reflections
11:00 AM – 11:10 AM Break
Session 3: Writing as a Divinatory Practice 11:10 AM - 12:30 PM
Interactive Teach-In by Ciarra Ross
Quiet Reading & Writing Practice
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch Break
Session 4: Somatic Meditation & Solo Writing Practice 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Regroup + Check-In
Guided Somatic Meditation Session
Guided Somatic Movement Session
Structured Quiet Writing with Optional Prompts
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM Break
Day 2 Closing: Somatic Group Check-In 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Guided Grounding
Group Reflections + Share
Ancestor Veneration Closing: Honoring the Black writers who came before us
Optional kickback hour