Retreat Center Vision
Advancing the Legacy
The Case for a Self-Sustaining Wellness Retreat
According to Candid, philanthropic funding specifically targeting African Americans represents only 2% of overall philanthropic funding in the U.S. This glaring inequity underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions that can generate sustainable impact without relying solely on external funding streams. A self-sustaining wellness retreat designed with a focus on wellness, convening, community, and empowerment offers a groundbreaking model to bridge this gap.
Such a retreat would not only provide transformative health and wellness experiences but also reinvest its revenue into programs aimed at addressing systemic disparities. By combining financial independence with a mission-driven focus, this initiative would create a lasting legacy of empowerment and equity for African American and ally communities.
Vision for the James Weldon Johnson Center for Culture, Convening, and Wellness
Imagine a place where creativity, history, and restoration converge—a sanctuary where intellectuals, artists, and professionals can retreat, recharge, and find inspiration in the cultural legacy of James Weldon Johnson.
The Center for Culture and Convening and Wellness Retreat at Five Acres envisions a transformative experience rooted in Johnson’s enduring values of equity, community, and creative expression.
Set within a serene 22-acre park-like environment in the heart of the Berkshire Hills, the Center will feature contemplative natural spaces, walking paths, and trails that invite reflection and exploration. Subtle yet impactful installations will introduce visitors to the thoughts, works, and legacy of James Weldon Johnson, weaving his profound influence into the fabric of the land. This visionary retreat will honor Johnson’s legacy while addressing modern needs for wellness and connection.
The James Weldon Foundation
A Space to Rejuvenate and Reflect
The Wellness Retreat will serve as a hub for creativity and well-being, designed to attract leaders in the arts, academia, and business who seek renewal in a setting of natural beauty and cultural significance. With its focus on accessibility and conservation, the Center will preserve the natural landscape and vistas of Five Acres while fostering an inclusive space for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration.
A Legacy Built on Collaboration and Growth
This ambitious vision extends beyond wellness and reflection. It aims to:
Expand Johnson’s Legacy
By acquiring adjoining land, the Center will preserve the landscape that inspired Johnson and his contemporaries while opening it to a broader audience.
Promote Conservation
Through careful land management, the Center will maintain the natural beauty and ecological significance of the Berkshire Hills.
Support Sustainability
The retreat will share its profits with the James Weldon Johnson Foundation, ensuring the sustainability of its cultural and educational initiatives.
The James Weldon Foundation
Why Great Barrington?
In 1926, James Weldon Johnson and his wife, Grace, sought refuge and renewal in The Berkshires, creating a space that was not only safe but also deeply restorative. Joined by like-minded friends, including W.E.B. Du Bois, the couple cultivated an environment of intellectual and artistic exchange that resonated with their shared commitment to social justice and creativity. Today, this community legacy continues to thrive, offering an ideal location for a retreat center that bridges the past and the present.
James Weldon Johnson and W.E.B. DuBois at John E. Nail's home in Great Barrington (Grace Nail Johnson's brother). Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
James Weldon Johnson. Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
Be Part of the Vision
The Center for Culture and Convening and Wellness Retreat at Five Acres is more than a physical space—it is a call to action to honor the enduring legacy of James Weldon Johnson by investing in a future where wellness, creativity, and social impact intersect. Your support can bring this transformative vision to life, preserving history, inspiring change, and creating a space where the leaders of tomorrow can find connection and renewal.
Together, we can build a place that not only celebrates Johnson’s legacy but also empowers individuals to carry forward his vision of a just, creative, and equitable world.