Florence “Flo” Noël founded Dear Black Women in 2016 from her studio apartment while juggling dual Master’s degrees in Business and Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Michigan. (Yes, grad student broke, but driven.) With an undergrad degree from Duke and over 20 years in community organizing and education/civic tech, Flo is passionate about creating safe, expansive spaces where we can un/recover our collective humanity.

A proud Haitian-American and self-proclaimed “blerd” (where my Black nerds at?!), Flo believes striving to live a full, embodied life in community is both a duty and a birthright. Her work sits at the intersection of healing, social justice, technology, and Black liberation.

Now, nearly a decade in, this Dear Black Women’s retreat is the living expression of Flo’s years of care and expertise — a thoughtfully curated experience designed to hold and nurture. From the flow of the programming to the spirit of the land, every detail is infused with intention.

You’ll also get to taste the gifts of Flo’s Costa Rican farm — her third farm and counting — through nourishing meals, a farm tour, and a hands-on herbalism workshop. Rooted in her practice as an herbalist and founder of Coming Home to Wellness, Flo’s offerings blend ancestral wisdom with everyday care, reminding us that healing is both radical and routine.

Brandi Keeler is a day one Dear Black Women — showing up at the very first party and one of our earliest Afirmation Circles, and holding space with love and fierce dedication ever since.

As the first-ever trained Dear Black Women facilitator, Brandi has led or co-led dozens of Circles across the country, helping build and nurture community from the front lines and behind the scenes.

In addition to Dear Black Women, Brandi brings her sharp creative vision and strategic mind to her role as Director of Student Engagement and Belonging at the College for Creative Studies, where she designs transformative experiences, leadership development and events that affirm belonging and cultural identity. A seasoned marketing and branding professional, she blends her design expertise with a deep commitment to storytelling and cultural truth-telling.

Brandi’s work is rooted in love for Black women and the power of community to transform. Her leadership and creativity have been instrumental in shaping the movement and supporting its growth in countless ways.

At the retreat, you’ll feel the ripple effects of Brandi’s care and wisdom — in every Circle, conversation, and moment designed to connect and uplift.

Ederique “Chef E” Goudia is a nationally recognized chef whose food bridges Louisiana roots and Detroit resilience. Raised on the flavors of Creole kitchens and Gulf Coast gardens, her cooking is soulful, intentional, and rooted in Black food traditions. Since 2017, she has been a valued part of the Dear Black Women community, providing meals at key events . In Detroit, Chef E is known for feeding the city — literally and figuratively — through projects that teach, empower, and uplift.

Chef E has cooked tens of thousands of meals from rescued produce, co-founded the award-winning Taste the Diaspora Detroit, and launched In the Business of Food, a consulting agency supporting BIPOC food entrepreneurs. Her work has earned national acclaim, including the James Beard Foundation Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellowship and the Hercules Posey Influencer Award, the highest honor from the State of Black Food.

And, yes, you're in for a serious treat:

Chef E will be feeding us for most of the retreat! She’ll be gifting us with a taste of the African diaspora — drawing inspiration from the Caribbean flavors of Costa Rica all the way to the Creole kitchens and Gulf Coast gardens of her upbringing.

Chef E’s food isn’t just delicious — it’s a love letter to us, a history lesson, and a healing practice all in one. Come hungry — and ready to be transformed!