Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to June Young . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
June, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I believe my purpose has always been to build community. I have a natural ability to connect people by creating inviting and inclusive spaces as an educator, military spouse, and community worker. Whether folks are coming together for a volunteer opportunity, school event, or a simple gathering at my home, I find the most joy in bringing people together for an experience. One of my favorite things to do is curate a space that reflects my personality, style, and culture. As an educator, I pour a lot of energy and time into creating an inviting classroom environment that feels welcoming. I want my students to feel connected, comfortable and valued when we share space. My goal is to always offer a space for those around me to be themselves and feel loved.
I don’t think I have had to “find” my purpose more so, I have had to find ways that my purpose supports the life I want to live. As I have transitioned out of the classroom, I have focused more on being in alignment with my purpose and identity as a Black woman. As a military spouse, I struggled with losing the physical connection to my friends and relatives. Isolation led me to being more forward in building a support system of new friends wherever we were stationed.
Because I was in need of connection and authentic friendships, I began hosting gatherings at my home that has grown into the work that I do now. My purpose as a community builder has naturally evolved into a powerful mission of creating rest experiences for Black women.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Over the past few years, I have lost several Black women in my life from illness, unexpected loss from COVID, and fights with cancer. I wrestled with my feelings about their loss because most of the women passed away before being able to enjoy their lives fully. Many of them spent their lives working, serving, and caring for others and not taking time for themselves. Their health had been placed on the back burner to raise children, support partners, make a living, and survive. For a long time, I was angry because I realized my own patterns in not prioritizing my health and well being. The more I spoke about the pressures and responsibilities many Black women face, the more I realized I must make a radical change to save my life. I began to turn my anger and grief into building a sustainable rest practice for myself to honor the women I’ve lost.
Last year I decided to combine my purpose of building community with my desire to transform my own life into a collective known as Black Women Rest. I asked my friends from all over the country if they would be interested in coming together for a 3 day weekend which centered on rest, wellness activities, good food, and quality time together. 14 women committed to participating and I began curating a weekend that would allow us all to rest collectively. During the months of planning, I had experienced several personal challenges that left me doubting if hosting the weekend was something I should do. I was experiencing challenges as an educator and mom during this time and I felt pulled to leave my position as teacher the day before I hosted our rest weekend. As the weekend progressed, I was reminded that I have always been an amazing host, God has blessed me with the gift to bring people together, and I should look to pursue this gift further. I decided before the weekend ended that I would begin to build on what I have started with a group of friends into something more substantial for the women in my area.
Black Women Rest is an intergenerational collective of Black women who desire a deeper connection for community care. My vision is to create restorative, nurturing experiences where Black women can rest, reconnect to themselves and each other, and heal. These ongoing rest experiences are either a weekend overnight experience or a one day event that allows us to be in community with each other while on our personal wellness journeys.
I use my time to curate detailed events or weekends with the goal to have every woman leave feeling supported, empowered to set boundaries, and with tools to continue to strengthen their rest practices. Black Women Rest experiences are intended to counteract the demands and stress that Black women face daily by creating a community of supportive Black women. One of the unique things about this collective is that we are women of all ages, career backgrounds, and talents. This dynamic allows for us all to learn from each other’s lived experiences in a way that provides us invaluable insight on how to navigate life challenges and obstacles.
In order to sustain honoring the legacy of Black women in my life, I am in the process of becoming a non profit organization. I do not believe Black women should pay large amounts of money to rest because we pay the price daily in society. Charging Black women money to be a part of a community that centers working less and resting is the antithesis of my goal and vision. I will be applying for grants and sponsorships from organizations that support wellness, mental health, and community building for Black women. I have also asked for donations from individuals in my life and Black women owned businesses who believe in my mission and want to support Black Women Rest experiences.
Since forming the collective, I have hosted 3 overnight rest experiences in the Montgomery, Alabama area bringing together over 40 women. I am currently offering a series of “Collective Unwinds’ ‘ which are hosted in my home for an evening of women to eat a meal and chat. I am planning one day events during the summer that will continue to prioritize rest and community care. I am in the planning stages of curating our one year anniversary rest experience for October.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the best qualities that have helped me on my journey is being resourceful, being comfortable with asking for help and support in areas that I have not yet strengthened, and remaining true to my vision.
Planning and hosting rest experiences require lots of materials, decorations, supplies, and food. In order to be accessible to all women I have to find a balance of cost effective supplies and materials while maintaining integrity in the execution of my vision. My resourcefulness allows me to thrift for some supplies, plan the color palettes around season colors and decor, and get donations from friends and family. My willingness to ask for help in doing this work allows the community to support not only my vision but other women as well. I am learning how to apply for grants and become a non profit, as well as how to leverage social media for marketing and outreach.
Although I am asking for financial support and using social media to showcase what Black Women Rest experiences are, I am remaining true to my vision and honoring my purpose. I do this from a place to honor the women in my life who did not have the opportunity to rest, not for money or fame. Rest is a daily practice and it is not a one time retreat or event. A rest practice should be sustainable and accessible to all.
If you are starting on your journey do not be afraid to ask for help and offer help within your community. I am confident in my abilities to execute rest experiences but I could strengthen my digital marketing and outreach skills. As I am growing in my rest practices, I am being reminded that we thrive in community. Do not be afraid to ask for help, embrace resourcefulness, and remain true to your core values and mission.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I would love to collaborate with individuals, organizations, and businesses who support Black women healing and health in a holistic way such as:
Wellness and Holistic Practitioners with services that support the mind, body and spirit. Services such as yoga, pelvic floor training, mindfulness and meditation training, massage therapy, nutrition counseling, life coaching, energy healing, and herbal medicine.
Businesses providing self-care products and experiences. Business with services that create experiences such as foot baths, candle making, painting lessons, cooking classes, or fitness classes.
Health and wellness organizations, community groups and other non-profits who are in alignment with Black Women Rest vision to build community through rest practices and creative expression.
Workshop leaders such as stress management experts, self-care advocates, mindfulness coaches, and emotional healing practitioners.
Event Spaces or Hosts who can offer a diverse location which can accommodate a group of women for one day or overnight stays.
By building a network of diverse and dedicated collaborators, I can be supported in creating enriching, holistic rest experiences for Black women that foster healing, community, and continuous support. Please reach out via email at [email protected] if you would like to collaborate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/blackwomenrest
- Instagram: @blackwomen.rest
- Facebook: Black Women Rest
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Photgraphers: Michael Carson & Nystasha Kelly
