It was an honor realizing a dream come true of our inaugural Utopia SGW West Africa Retreat. Bringing 14 women CEOs, executives, investors, and thought leaders from The United States to this continent to Escape, Elevate, Enrich, and be Empowered, was nothing short of incredible. This retreat experience was curated to promote self-care and cultural enrichment around the African diaspora, investment opportunities, women’s empowerment, and social impact.
Our ladies enjoyed 9 days of experiences and memories that will last a lifetime from cultural tours to Goree Island in Senegal and Lamin Lodge in The Gambia, to empowerment talks with The Third, The Woman Boss, and an evening with the US Ambassador to The Gambia, Sharon L. Cromer.
We thank our partners, Awamary Khan, founder of The Woman Boss, Malik Khan, Co-Founder of Innovate Gambia, Disruptive Labs, and Monifah Pendleton-Vodonou, CEO of The Third for your gracious hospitality and the impactful time spent together.
While some of us are still a little jet-lagged, we are enjoying every repost and recap. Every day truly was an adventure and we can't wait to reveal our plans for our next Utopia Experiences!
Make it a Utopian Day,
Naya F. Powell
Gambia News Features
Truly an honor to make the front page of the Gambian newspaper, NEXT.
Making An Impact
At the invitation of Founder Awamary Khan, The Utopia SGW Retreat participants had the pleasure of visiting The Woman Boss and The Innovate Gambia headquarters. Selected attendees also gave power talks. The speakers included #1 Bestselling Author, 3rd generation entrepreneur, CEO/founder of Utopia Spa and Global Wellness, Naya Fela Powell, Executive Coach, Dynamic speaker, and Leadership Strategist, Me'chelle Degree, International speaker, Author, Certified Coach, and TV Lifestyle expert, Dee C. Marshall, Certified Career Coach and Speaker, Rae Boone, and Keller Williams Premier Realty Operating Principal and Owner, Koren Bowman.
The Woman Boss curated a market allowing retreat attendees to shop while investing in the businesses of these women entrepreneurs and developing additional mentorship relationships and strategic partnerships.
Other notable opportunities included some of the women learning about real estate investment opportunities and touring properties.