On December 4–5, 2025, the Black Families Flourishing (BFF) team gathered in Washington, D.C. for our first annual team retreat, which was a two-day experience designed to honor the work of our first year and chart a bold path forward into Year 2. The retreat was planned and facilitated in partnership with Dr. Kristine Andrews, whose skilled facilitation allowed each team member to be fully present and engaged as a participant rather than focused on leading the conversation. What unfolded was more than a planning session. It was a moment of genuine connection, honest reflection, and renewed commitment to the mission that drives everything we do.
Day One: Reflection
The first day kicked off at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation offices in downtown D.C., where the team started with individual reflection on the following questions:
- How did our work this year center equity or challenge deficit narratives about Black families?
- What was our biggest challenge in Year 1, and what did we learn from it?
- What proud moments stand out from the year?
- What skills or capacities do we each want to grow in Year 2?
These questions set the tone for the day: thoughtful, equity centered, and personally invested.
Following that, the team used activity stations to explore four critical themes that emerged from our reflections:
- Wins — celebrating what we accomplished
- Challenges — naming what was hard without minimizing it
- Equity in action — identifying where our values showed up in practice
- Gaps and missed opportunities — staying honest about where we can grow
Each station fueled a full-group discussion, during which the team synthesized key takeaways and built a collective understanding of where BFF stands heading into its second year. The conversation was candid, caring, and filled with enthusiasm about the work.
After lunch, the team worked through project objectives and workplan creation for Year 2. The conversation was grounded in the lessons of Year 1 and driven by a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference for Black families. The day closed with a reflection circle, where team members shared one word or thought they were carrying out of the room. It was a fitting end that was grounded and full of intentionality.
Day Two: Connection
Friday brought a welcome change of pace and a chance for team connection beyond the work. Because BFF is a remote team spread across different cities, this in-person time offered a rare, valuable opportunity for the kind of relationship building that doesn’t easily happen over video calls. The team headed to Georgetown for a morning of friendly competition, starting with the Great Big Game Show and finishing with an escape room (yes, we made it out!). There was laughter, creative problem-solving, and teammates showing up for each other in ways that don’t always surface in a workday. We also made a delightful discovery: Several colleagues are, apparently, bird experts.
Carrying the Momentum Forward
This retreat reminded us of what makes the BFF team special: a deep commitment to equity, a willingness to be honest with one another, and a genuine belief in the power of Black families to thrive. As we move into Year 2, we carry with us the wins we’ve celebrated, the lessons we’ve learned, and the relationships we’ve deepened.
