Join us for a two-day immersive retreat, where women gather to reconnect with their inner power through spiritual renewal, mental wellness, sisterhood, and Intentional healing.
Guided by world-renowned wellness icons Queen Afua and Chef Babette Davis, along with a circle of gifted facilitators, this transformative weekend is designed as a sacred earth school—a place where education, empowerment, and love converge to awaken your deepest truth.
Through uplifting teachings, experiential workshops, and restorative practices, you’ll journey into greater clarity, vitality, and consciousness, while reclaiming the recovery of your power.
Each session offers meaningful opportunities to align with your intention, embrace healing, and draw inspiration from both ancient wisdom and modern holistic practices.
Nourishing meals will support your body’s renewal, while sacred circles and sisterhood connections will uplift your spirit. This retreat is a call to step into your wholeness with love, empowerment, fulfillment, and purpose—to rise as the most powerful version of yourself.
You’ll leave grounded, inspired, and radiating vitality, ready to carry your renewed energy and sacred clarity into every part of your life.
Hosted by Gigi the Vegan, Kansas City’s own nutritionist, author, and wellness advocate who healed herself from colon cancer through a plant-based lifestyle. She is the founder of Midwest Soul Vegfest, Gigi’s Vegan + Wellness Café, the KC Health Initiative, inspiring communities to embrace plant-based living for healing, empowerment, and sustainability.
Gigi welcomes you to this gathering of renewal, dedicated to helping you connect with your fully nourished life.
Retreat Affirmation
“I am rooted in love, guided by intention, and open to divine healing. In this sacred space of sisterhood, I release what no longer serves me and rise into the highest version of myself. I honor my body, my spirit, and my purpose—today and always.
As I journey through this healing process, I trust that I am carried in the eternal flow of Divine Life. The Infinite Intelligence within my cells aligns perfectly with the wisdom of my soul.
I see each strand of DNA glowing at the center of every cell, every organ, and every system of my body—imprinted with radiant health, harmony, and wholeness.
I choose to nurture my thoughts and emotions only with visions of restoration and positive outcomes.
Therefore, I speak words of wellness, love, and strength to my body.
Anchored in this energy of truth, I release all fear with ease and welcome the fullness of my restoration—returning to vibrant health and vitality.”
Our Esteemed Keynote Speakers
Queen Afua
Influential holistic health icon & New York Times bestselling author
With more than five decades of wisdom and healing, Queen Afua is a trailblazer of holistic wellness, revered as the “Mother of Womb Wellness” and the visionary behind the Sacred Woman movement. Her work blends ancient Afrikan healing traditions with modern health practices, empowering individuals through the transformative power of food, ritual, and self-care.
Queen Afua is the creator of the Heal Thyself product line, the Sacred Woman Rites of Passage Program, and serves as CEO of the Queen Afua Wellness Institute. Her influence has reached over one million people worldwide through her workshops, books, coaching, and speaking.
Queen Afua is joining us to help you reclaim balance — mind, body, and spirit — through sacred routines you can carry home.
Chef Babette Davis
World‑class vegan chef & worldwide voice for intentional living
Chef Babette Davis is a celebrated vegan chef, fitness enthusiast, and motivational speaker who co‑founded vegan restaurant Stuff I Eat in Inglewood, California. A familiar face on national television and co‑host of Sunday Bites & Tidbits, she inspires people everywhere to embrace plant‑based living as a joyful path to vitality and longevity.
From the beginning, her mission has been clear: serve food made with love, organic produce whenever possible, and never any animal products, refined sugars, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Her menu proves that transitioning to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle can be delicious, deeply satisfying, and filled with the flavors we all crave.
At the retreat, Chef Babette invites you to cook — and live — with clear intention, aligning nourishment with the life you want to feel.
Dr. Tonika Brockman – Holistic Leadership Strategist
Dr. Tonika Brockman, affectionately known as The Leadership Doctor, is a holistic leader with over two decades of experience equipping women to rise above extreme life challenges and lead with divine clarity, confidence and conviction. As a wife, mother of five, and faith-led entrepreneur, she empowers high-achieving women to align their lives, families, and businesses with purpose—creating generational impact and legacy.
With an expansive career spanning banking, finance, sales and entrepreneurship, Dr. Tonika blends her practical expertise with her academic foundation—holding an MBA and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership. She is uniquely gifted at helping women 10x their faith, heal generational patterns, and architect visionary plans for their families, careers and calling. Through her holistic leadership frameworks, she has guided hundreds of women in building faith-filled lives and multimillion-dollar legacies rooted in stewardship and strategy.
Amy Appleton Dreyer – Women in Business
Amy Appleton Dreyer graduated with a Bachelors in Business Marketing from Truman State University and studied at the University of Newcastle in Australia with a concentration on branding. She’s worked on many sides of the fashion industry, both in front of the camera modeling and on the other side styling and art directing. She is a travel and style writer for Lifestyle Magazines and can be found freelancing from time to time with other local publications. Her blog, Steps of Style, is a personal creative outlet that she began 7 years ago inspired by her extensive travels and love of adventure. Collaborating and creating visual branding has been incredibly rewarding and she has worked in some capacity with a variety of companies from all over the world.
Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw — Civic Leader & Advocate for Wellness
Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw of Kansas City is a committed public servant and advocate for community health and equity. She offers empowering perspectives on leadership, service, and the role of wellness in creating stronger, more connected communities.
Rev. Paulette Pipe — Meditation Leader & Sacred Space Holder
Rev. Paulette Pipe is an acclaimed meditation leader, sacred space holder, energy support practitioner, retreat facilitator, podcast host, and ordained Unity minister known for creating deeply nourishing experiences that support inner peace and conscious, compassionate living.
A spiritual artisan, she designs contemplative experiences that invite women to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with their bodies, their values, and the natural world.
Formerly Spiritual Director of the UK Unity headquarters and manager of the Retreats department at Unity Village, MO, Paulette founded Touching the Stillness Ministries in 2009, a non-profit offering accessible meditation and mindfulness resources to individuals and communities worldwide.
She is best known for her long-running podcast, “Touching the Stillness,” which aired over 3,000 episodes on Unity Online Radio from 2012 to 2022, and for her offerings on the Insight Timer app.
A highly sought-after meditation leader at conferences and retreats worldwide, Paulette weaves mindful awareness and gentle embodiment practices into her work, creating sacred experiences that align beautifully with vegan values of kindness, non-violence, and reverence for all life.
Originally from the UK and now residing in Lee’s Summit, MO, Paulette is a creator of beauty who also delights in drumming on her djembe, freestyle dancing, and engaging in uplifting adventures that celebrate her bold spirit and love of life.
Gigi The Vegan — Wellness advocate, Nutritionist, Author, Herbalist, Urban Farmer, Wellness Coach and Plant-based Educator
Gigi The Vegan (Gigi Jones) is a wellness advocate, nutritionist, author, herbalist, urban farmer, wellness coach and plant-based educator on a mission to help people discover their “doctor within.” After overcoming colon cancer in 2016 through holistic healing and a lifestyle rooted in organic, living foods, Gigi transformed her personal journey into a powerful movement of healing, education, and empowerment.
She is the founder of Gigi’s Vegan + Wellness Cafe, a 100% sustainable and organic space dedicated to nourishing the mind, body, and spirit, and Gigi’s Wellness Center and the creator of Midwest Soul Vegfest, one of the largest vegan festivals in the world. Through her work, Gigi has helped thousands embrace plant-based living as a pathway to vitality, prevention, and self-love.
Known for blending living foods with ancient healing techniques, Gigi’s message is simple yet powerful: let food be our medicine. Through coaching, speaking, programs, and experiences she calls the Deliciousness Experience of Health and wellness , Gigi continues to inspire people to live their best life.
Shalese Clay — President and CEO of Uzazi Village
Shalese Clay serves as President and CEO of Uzazi Village, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s strategic vision, strengthening community partnerships, and driving sustainable growth. With more than a decade of experience in maternal and paternal health, Shalese brings deep expertise, visionary leadership, and lived experience to her work.
Shalese is a wife, a proud mother of four, a grandmother to one grandson, and joyfully anticipating the arrival of a granddaughter. Her path to leadership is deeply rooted in her personal journey. After navigating motherhood as a single mother and hearing and living alongside the traumatic birth stories of Black women, Shalese recognized her own experiences reflected in the systemic inequities faced by Black birthing families. These moments became a catalyst for her lifelong commitment to birth justice and community centered care.
A dedicated advocate for reproductive justice, Shalese has centered her work on improving maternal, paternal, and infant health outcomes for Black families and communities of color. Her professional journey includes serving as Executive Director of Queens Village, a national organization committed to supporting Black women and advancing maternal health through culturally responsive, community led approaches.
In 2020, Shalese launched a community engagement business rooted in bringing people together, creating space for healing, dialogue, and collective action. This work helped shape her leadership style—one grounded in relationship building, accountability, and sustainable, community-driven solutions.
Shalese is also the founder of Elevating My Community Inc. and has led impactful initiatives, including Dope Black Dads KCK, which centers Black fathers in maternal and family health, and Queens Village Metro KC, which expands access to safe, affirming spaces for families to connect, heal, and lead.
Her prior service as Chair of the Uzazi Village Board of Directors reflects her long-standing commitment to the organization’s mission and her deep alignment with birth justice, equity, and community-led care. Today, Shalese leads with purpose, compassion, and an unwavering belief that Black families deserve dignity, safety, and joy throughout the birthing journey.
Dr. Aisha Augusta — Psychologist
Dr. Aisha Augusta is an accomplished healing professional and thought leader specializing in workplace psychology, racial trauma, psychometrics, and equity benchmarking. As the founder of Psychological Justice, LLC, an organization dedicated to treating those effected by racial trauma, Dr. Augusta as spent years developing a path towards healing for highly melanated individuals. In addition, as the Chief Consultant of Sepow, LLC she leads a cutting-edge technological platform designed to enhance organizational innovation, resilience, and employee satisfaction.
Guided by Tehuti’s insight that the highest level of achievement is to, “Know Thyself,” Dr. Augusta champions innovative solutions to discovering the true self. Her work emphasizes the power of indigenous practices and technology, the use of new perspectives, and the ultimate alignment of Self and God to foster personal and organizational growth.
Dr. Augusta earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminal Justice and Communications from the University of Missouri Kansas City. She went on to complete a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regent University and earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas.
Ready to Invest in Your Whole Self?
Midwest Women’s Retreat Brings You a Sacred Journey of Healing & Empowerment
This retreat is open to all women seeking a sacred space to:
Heal from burnout, past womb trauma, emotional wounds, and stress—restoring balance, vitality, and wholeness
Deepen spiritual alignment, consciousness, and faith for greater clarity, fulfillment, and inner peace
Learn and be educated on feminine wellness, self-care, and sacred practices as pathways to empowerment
Connect in sisterhood, love, and shared truth for meaningful relationships and inspiration
Reclaim your health empowerment and purpose—awakening intention, recovering your power, and stepping into the abundance of life
Throughout this earth school experience, you will be guided to heal, transform, and rise—embracing the energy of empowerment, clarity, and divine fulfillment. Every moment is designed to awaken your deepest truth and align you with a life of abundance, vitality, and love.
Reset, Revival, Return to YOU!
Our intention is to awaken the divine power within every woman by creating a sacred space rooted in healing, empowerment, compassion, and sisterhood.
We bring women together to rise—mentally, spiritually, and physically—through transformative experiences that honor the mind, body, and soul. Centered in plant-based wellness, emotional restoration, and spiritual truth, our retreat is a call to reclaim your wholeness, reignite your purpose, and return to the world as the highest version of yourself.
At this retreat we celebrate our movement of women healing themselves and each other with intention, love, and unshakable power.
Workshops & Healing Circles
- Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
- Spiritual Healing + Faith as Fuel
- Plant-Based Nutrition for Women’s Wellness
- Journaling, Forgiveness & Inner Child Work
Daily Healing Opportunities
- Morning Meditations + Sacred Movement
Yoga, breathwork, and grounding practices to align the body and spirit - Plant-Based Meals (Included!)
Nourish yourself with delicious organic, whole-food, plant-based breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared with love - Night of Reflection + Sound Healing
Unwind under the stars with guided meditation, sacred sound, and release ceremony - Vibe & Vendor Lounge
Shop and support women-owned wellness brands, herbal remedies, and spiritual tools
What You'll Experience
What's Included:
- Nourishing plant-based meals (organic, whole-food, prepared with love).
- Inspiration + appearances from keynote speaker Queen Afua and four other esteemed guest speakers.
- All retreat workshops, circles, and ceremonies.
- Facility accommodations, honoraria, and materials.
- Special take-home resources (journal entries, self-care tools).
- Grounded time for reflection, breath, and emotional reset.
- Workshops that help you reclaim purpose and step forward with confidence.
- A loving circle of women lifting each other up.
What's NOT Included:
- You’ll provide your own transportation to and from the retreat.
- You’ll provide overnight accommodations during the retreat.
- You’ll have your personal health insurance and healthcare options handy.
- You’ll refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages or using other perception-altering substances.
What You'll Take Home
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A renewed sense of connection to your own inner guidance and spiritual strength.
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Deeper peace of mind and emotional balance you can carry into daily life.
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An empowered body, nourished by plant-based wellness practices you can continue at home.
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Practical self-care tools rooted in ancestral wisdom and holistic health.
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Lasting bonds with women who uplift, encourage, and inspire.
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A fresh perspective on how to align your faith, values, and personal wellbeing.
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Inspiration to continue your healing journey long after the retreat.
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Unique treasures and tools discovered in the Vibe & Vendor Lounge.
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Memorable moments and heartfelt stories to revisit again and again.
Special Considerations
Book Now: ``Me Time`` & Peaceful Sleep
While arranging an overnight stay isn’t required (many attendees will be local) a private overnight during this experience can add protected personal time to your retreat.
We have arranged a block of rooms at Unity Village’s retreat accommodations. Reserve your room here.
You are responsible for reserving your overnight stay separate from retreat registration with us. We recommend planning ahead and arranging it now.
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel any time at your discretion. After January 1st you can receive a 50% refund, however, if you cancel after March 1st there will be no refund.
We reserve the right to cancel the retreat if it is not meeting the minimum required participants — in that case, you will be refunded in full.
If we find the retreat is not a good fit for you, we may cancel your reservation, and you will be fully refunded.
Healthy Spaces
Your safety and wellbeing are important to us. At this time there are no vaccination or mask requirements, but we will have rapid COVID tests available if needed.
If you have specific health concerns, let us know in the pre-event form so we can support your participation.
Flying In?
If you are arriving into the Kansas City area by air, fly into Kansas City International Airport (MCI) by April 22nd and arrange transportation to Unity Village and your self-arranged overnight accommodations.
For departures, schedule your flight for the day you check out (according to your own arrangements.)
Registration
Retreat Experience
$347
Full access to all Thursday and Friday keynote presentations, group workshops, meals, vibes, and the exclusive Vibe & Vendor Lounge.
Retreat + VIP Reception
$487
Everything in the Complete Retreat Experience plus the Wednesday night VIP Reception with Queen Afua and Chef Babette Davis.
VIP Reception Only
$147
An exclusive Wednesday evening soirée, enjoying clean-food appetizers, healthy drinks, and good vibes with Queen Afua and Chef Babette Davis.
Limited spots are available at this in-demand, exclusive health experience.
Grab your spot while they’re still here!
• Choose from three ticket levels.
• This is a private and protected event, created with intention to nurture your journey of consciousness and recovery of power. After checkout, you will receive full event details and specifics.
• Be sure to arrange your own overnight accommodations if you need them here.