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STOP the Madness Youth Empowerment Retreat
Register your youth today for a transformative and inspiring day at the STOP the Madness Youth Empowerment Retreat! This free retreat is designed to equip youth with the tools and confidence to manage stress, express themselves creatively, and pursue their dreams. Held at MyArts in Madison, this retreat will run in parallel with the Madison Metropolitan School District’s Staff Wellness Day, providing a great opportunity for youth to reflect healthy habits while they are out of school.
Event Date: October 3, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: MyArts, 1055 East Mifflin Madison, WI
Audience: Madison youth in 6th-12th grade
Cost: Free (Lunch provided)
Retreat Highlights
- Stress Management Workshop (led by Keena Atkins): Discover practical tools to manage stress and build emotional resilience.
- Telling Our Stories Poetry Writing (led by Jordan Waters First Wave): Tap into your voice and share your story through the power of words.
- Owning Our Path Art Workshop (led by Monica Mims): Get hands-on in this creative session where you'll design and print your own T-shirt to express your story through art.
- Pursue Your Dream Keynote Session (led Dasha Kelly Hamilton): Hear an inspiring success story from a First Wave alum and learn how to take actionable steps toward achieving your dreams.
Why Attend?
Free for all youth in grades 6-12!
- Enjoy a provided lunch so you can stay energized and focused.
- Connect with peers and mentors in an uplifting, creative environment.
- Gain tools for mental wellness, personal growth, and creative expression.
- Be part of a day dedicated to youth empowerment, creativity, and personal development.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a retreat focused on youth voice, wellness, and empowerment. Whether you're seeking strategies to manage stress, a chance to share your story, or inspiration to pursue your dreams, this retreat is for you! Register now to reserve your spot at the STOP the Madness Youth Empowerment Retreat on October 3rd!
About Our Keynote
Dasha Kelly Hamilton
Dasha Kelly Hamilton is a writer, performance artist and creative change agent. She has authored award-winning poetry, essays and fiction. She is a mainstage storyteller and host with The Moth, an alum of HBO's Def Poetry Jam, Poet Laureate Emerita for both the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin and a National Laureate Fellow with the American Academy of Poets. A skilled engagement practitioner and instructor, Dasha has even facilitated initiatives in Botswana, Mauritius and Beirut as an Arts Envoy for the U.S. Embassy. Dasha’s nationally-touring stage show, Makin’ Cake, serves audiences a unique conversation on race, class and equity. Her nonprofit literary arts organization, Still Waters Collective, is preparing for its 25th anniversary. Dasha will release three books in 2025, a poetry anthology, A Line Meant (Jaded Ibis Press), and two novels Baker’s Dozen (Jaded Ibis) and a 10th anniversary reprint of Almost Crimson (Traitmarker Books).
About the Presenters
Jordan Waters- First Wave
Jordan Waters- First Wave
Jordan Waters- First Wave
My name is Jordan Waters, and I am an artist from Philadelphia, PA. I am a sophomore at UW Madison and a First Wave Scholar, currently double majoring in creative writing and education studies with a minor in art teaching. I am a poet first and foremost, I believe that all my art forms are a product of my poetry, but in addition I am an
My name is Jordan Waters, and I am an artist from Philadelphia, PA. I am a sophomore at UW Madison and a First Wave Scholar, currently double majoring in creative writing and education studies with a minor in art teaching. I am a poet first and foremost, I believe that all my art forms are a product of my poetry, but in addition I am an emcee, singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. I use my art forms to tell my story as it unfolds before me. I am a firm believer that all pain can be turned to passion when honed creatively and my art is a direct reflection of that. It is only in my art that I am my most authentic and honest self, and for that I am grateful. I thank God for my creativity and hold a space to honor Him in my art. I will continue to walk my path as an artist and use my mediums to not only inspire others but myself as well. Life is temporary but art is forever.
Keena Atkins
Jordan Waters- First Wave
Jordan Waters- First Wave
Keena Atkinson, the visionary founder, and CEO of R'oujie Wellness, is a versatile wellness professional specializing as a nutritionist, wellness coach, dance fitness instructor, and a 500hr trauma Informed social justice yoga instructor with an Ayurveda perspective. With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UW Madison, Keena has jour
Keena Atkinson, the visionary founder, and CEO of R'oujie Wellness, is a versatile wellness professional specializing as a nutritionist, wellness coach, dance fitness instructor, and a 500hr trauma Informed social justice yoga instructor with an Ayurveda perspective. With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UW Madison, Keena has journeyed from homelessness to homeowner. She was a 15 year old teen mom, who gave birth while in the foster care system. As a domestic violence survivor Keena raises her two sons intentionally. Keena is creator and host of the transformative 2023 R'oujie Wellness Retreat, she also hosts a free monthly book club and leads a powerful 12 week life transformation program for women who have experienced domestic violence. Keena partners with numerous organizations and businesses to bring lasting generational improvements to wellness and wellbeing of people in the community. A writer, speaker, and poet, Keena hosts podcasts including "R'oujie Ruminations and Revelations" and "Good Bad Breakthru," found on all streaming platforms. Her YouTube channel @keenasfa offers over 80 on-demand yoga classes and more. Keena's holistic approach emphasizes parenting, emotional well-being, personal development, and women’s hormonal health, reflecting her passions for positive psychology, social, emotional and brain health development, literacy and liberation from the inside, out. She hosts a free monthly book club and leads a powerful 12 week life transformation program for women who have experienced domestic violence. Please find her on all social media at keenasfa or on her website at http://www.roujiewellness.com
Monica Mims
Jordan Waters- First Wave
Monica Mims
With an interest in fashion, an eye for detail and a love of creating things with my hands, I started making art and sewing at a young age. With my art, I like to capture the beauty in mundane objects. Using different mediums allows me to express different ideas without being too focused on the outcome of each individual piece. I let it
With an interest in fashion, an eye for detail and a love of creating things with my hands, I started making art and sewing at a young age. With my art, I like to capture the beauty in mundane objects. Using different mediums allows me to express different ideas without being too focused on the outcome of each individual piece. I let it kind of happen as it’s happening.
Monica Mims (she, her: Marketing/Communications professional, Certified DEI practitioner, Business Coach, Community Leader, and visual Artist.
As a visual artist, I've had the privilege of showing in local galleries throughout Madison, WI. I love music, especially reggae and hip-hop, and my favorite TV shows are Nature and Nova on PBS.
