Retreat: I AM Excellence

About the Event

This is the first Tutu's retreat, but it won't be the last! We are excited to give you 3 full days of activities, lessons, and unforgettable experiences! It's almost like an invite to the cookout... but actually, it is better! Aren't you excited you will be a part of the very first one?!!!

You can expect STEM, art, story telling, creativity, foods, presentations, and of course some hair care.

Some answers to Frequently asked questions: 

~THE SCHEDULE IS ON EST.~ 

~YOU PICK WHICH SESSIONS YOU WANT TO ATTEND.~

~YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ATTEND ALL SESSIONS. ~

~HAIR CARE WORKSHOPS WILL BE DONE ON MANNEQUINS.~

Our fabulous teachers will include but are not be limited to:

Analise Harris is from Curls on the Block, which creates safe spaces for girls to explore their beauty and hair care needs while integrating STEAM. Analise currently works as an adjunct professor at Community College of Denver. Hailing from Waukegan, Illinois, after obtaining a degree in Sociology and Communications at Creighton University, she moved to Denver in 2011 as a founding corps member of City Year Denver. Inspired by the year of service and evaluating her life goals, Analise pursued an alternative teaching license from Metropolitan State University and obtained her Master’s in Education with a certification in Special Education.

Soulliaa Rae specializes in cultivating wholeness through vocal performance, art, expressive arts, and equity programming and intervention. Soulliaa holds a Master's of Social Work (MSW) degree, a Master's of Science - Disaster Resilience Leadership (MS) degree, a Master's Degree in Education (MA), and a Bachelor's (BA) degree in Psychology and Africana Studies. She is a certified Texas teacher, grades 4th-8th, core subjects, with a special interest in the Social Science aspects of the STEM field. Soulliaa has also been trained in trauma response and recovery utilizing EMDR, with a desire to study Somatic Experiencing trauma interventions in the future. 

Terri Gill is a licensed cosmetologist, excellent braider, and long term bestie to Kanisha who has experience working in child care and salons. She will be there to take your braiding skills to the next level. Have you wanted to know how to add extensions? Or how to do some of the really cool styles? She is your girl! 

Lorena Alomia's passion is cooking. Her catering business is Delicias by Lorena, where she specializes in Colombian Street Foods and Afro-Latino Soul Food. Their motto is "Taste Something Different, Share Something Delicious." They are committed to bringing new flavors and variety to the Des Moines food scene. In 2020,  Lorena was honored with the Face of Diversity Award by the Iowa Restaurant Association. Her meals can also be vegan-friendly. When she is not cooking, she enjoys traveling, eating, and dancing. 

Plus your favorite, Kanisha Tillman of course. Y'all already know her, right? Well, she will be leading you through hair care along with bath bomb making for fun.

The children will have separate activities and dedicated teachers. The teachers will lead them through age-appropriate activities that are based around introducing and celebrating Black excellence. 

The parents will have opportunities to take hair care workshops with Kanisha and to learn from other Black community members as well. We will have open conversations, thorough lessons, and lots of fun! 

There are a few surprises, of course! We can't tell you everything now.