The Liberation Path: Ceremony, Story & Stillness
Hosted by IKONI Collective

An Intimate Gathering for Black Women in the Heart of Soho, NYC

A morning and afternoon of healing, storytelling, and deep rest—designed specifically for Black women to release, remember, and return to themselves.

What to Expect
This is not a panel or workshop—it's a sacred, curated experience that feels like entering a warm, welcoming living room with sisters you didn’t know you needed.

Live Conversation
A fireside-style conversation with renowned author, release activist, and Founder of The Great Exhale, Lisa Hurley—a three-time Anthem Award-winning creator whose work centers softness, rage, and radical honesty. Lisa draws on her experience as a Reiki Master, community builder, and burnout survivor, offering practical and powerful tools to reclaim your energy, clarity, and peace.

Somatic Grounding
We’ll begin with gentle, floor-based embodiment practices led by Lauren Dike—a sought-after somatic practitioner, nervous system expert, and Founder of Harmonna Inclusive Wellbeing. You’ll be guided through movement and breathwork designed to relieve tension, settle the body, and shift out of survival mode.

Nourishing Lunch
Enjoy a beautiful, communal meal crafted with intention. Time to connect, share, and be nourished—body, mind, and soul.

Ceremonial Tea Ritual
Led by Kia Croom, folk herbalist and founder of Itutu Apothecary, you’ll participate in a slow, grounding tea ritual featuring custom herbal blends formulated for rest, release, and remembrance.

Throughout the day, you’ll be invited to exhale, to speak your truth—or simply be held in silence.

You do not need to do anything or be anything to belong here.

Why We Created This
Black women are among the most overworked, under-supported, and misdiagnosed populations when it comes to stress-related illness.

Studies show we are more likely to suffer from chronic stress, hypertension, anxiety, and burnout—and less likely to receive adequate care or space to rest.
Western medicine often deems us “fine” if our bloodwork looks okay, ignoring how stress, disconnection, and systemic pressure manifest in the body.

Over-medicating, under-resourcing, and dismissing our fatigue is not healing.This experience was born out of a need for something deeper.

A space for us to take charge of our health in ways our ancestors always knew—through connection, ceremony, bodywork, and truth-telling.

To end the cycles we didn’t choose and begin new ones rooted in softness, safety, and liberation.

This is how we reclaim our bodies.

This is how we spread our magic to the generations after us.

Who This Is For
This gathering is for Black women navigating burnout, disconnection, stress, or emotional exhaustion—especially in the workplace, caregiving roles, or community leadership.

Whether you’re new to healing spaces or deeply practiced, you’re welcome here.
You belong here if:

- You’re tired of holding it all together
- You crave rest but feel guilty taking it
- You long for softness, connection, and truth without explanation
- You want to reconnect with your body and finally feel safe in it

What You’ll Leave With
- A deeper understanding of how stress lives in your body
- Practical somatic tools for nervous system regulation and recovery
- Grounding herbal wisdom and rituals to carry with you
- Space to be witnessed, not judged
- Community and connection that lasts beyond the day

What to Wear & Bring
Wear comfortable clothing (athleisure, loungewear, or anything you can move in)
Bring a yoga mat or blanket, and a pillow or cushion for seated/floor practices
An open heart—no prior experience with somatics or healing requiredAdditional Info

Space is limited to preserve intimacy and care.
This is a ceremony, not a conference.

Employer Reimbursement: We’ve included a template you can submit to your employer for reimbursement. This event qualifies for many professional development and wellness stipends—don’t be shy about advocating for yourself!

Questions? Email Nneoma Ossai Ifeanyi: [email protected].