Belonging Without Performing

A Healing Retreat for Black Queer Men

October 22-26, 2026 • Serenbe, Georgia

Join us just south of Atlanta. Rest, reconnect, and experience real brotherhood.
(Spaces are limited. Registration required.)

What This Retreat Is

Belonging Without Performing is a healing space for Black Queer men who are craving meaningful connection, emotional rest, and brotherhood without performance.

This is a space for Black Queer men to come together, connect, and experience real community without having to perform, shrink, or second-guess who you are.

For a lot of us, moving through the world hasn’t felt simple.

You may have learned early on that parts of you weren’t fully accepted.

Too queer in some spaces.
Too Black in others.
And rarely allowed to just be.

And over time, that starts to do something to you.

You learn how to read the room.
You keep your guard up.
You stay a little distant.
You show up but not fully.
You connect, but only to a point.

Not because you don’t want closeness,
but because it hasn’t always felt safe.

So maybe your relationships feel surface-level.
Or you keep people at arm’s length.
Or you’ve gotten really good at being independent, even when you don’t want to be.

This retreat is about finally putting some of that down.

Not fixing you.
Not forcing anything.
Just creating a space where you don’t have to perform to belong.

Expect depth, softness, laughter, and community without pressure.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

What This Retreat Is

Belonging Without Performing is a healing space created for Black Queer Men who are craving meaningful connection, emotional rest, and brotherhood without performance.

This is not a party weekend or a turn-up. This is a no sex, no substances healing container rooted in intention, care, and safety.

Expect depth, softness, laughter, and community without pressure.

SECURE MY SPOT NOW!

What We'll Do Toghether

This isn’t a packed schedule or a back-to-back agenda.

It’s a rhythm.
A balance of depth, rest, connection, and space so you’re not just taking things in, you actually have time to process, feel, and be.

Arriving and Settling In

You’ll arrive, get settled, and ease into the space.

We’ll start with a welcome dinner and an opening circle. Nothing forced. Just a chance to land, meet the group, and get a feel for the space.

The first night is about exhaling.

Naming the Experience

As we move into the first full day, we start getting honest about what it’s been like to move through the world as a Black Queer man.

We’ll talk about how those experiences have shaped the way you connect, where you might hold back, and what trust has looked like for you.

You’ll also have time throughout the day to step away, reflect, or connect with others naturally.

Nothing is rushed.

Letting Go of the Masks

This is where we go deeper.

We’ll spend time looking at the different versions of yourself you’ve had to become, what those versions protected, and what they might be costing you now.

Through reflection and guided exercises, you’ll have space to reconnect with yourself in a more honest way.

Not to fix anything.
Just to start letting go of what doesn’t fit anymore.

Connection Without Performance

Evenings are different.

We’ll gather for more relaxed, fireside-style conversations. Space to talk, laugh, reflect, or just sit and be around people who understand your experience without needing a full explanation.

A lot of the real connection happens here.

Mind and Body Reset

Each morning starts with gentle movement like yoga to help you slow down and get back into your body.

There’s also time to be outside, whether that’s taking a walk, sitting in quiet, or just stepping away from everything.

A Different Kind of Closing

Toward the end of the retreat, we’ll come together to prepare and share a meal.

Everyone contributes. Everyone has a role.

It’s a way of grounding connection not just in conversation, but in care.

Integration and Moving Forward

Before you leave, we’ll close the space together in an intentional way.

So you’re not just leaving with a good experience, but with a clearer sense of yourself, your patterns, and what connection can feel like when you don’t have to perform for it.

This Retreat Is For You If...

What's Included

Who this retreat is not for...

A HEALING SPACE

The Container

To support safety and care for everyone involved, this retreat is:
• No sex
• No substances
• No participant recording

For many of us, things like sex or substances have been ways to navigate connection or ease discomfort. This space simply invites something different.

These boundaries aren’t about restriction. They’re about creating a space where people can be fully present, honest, and held without performance.

Privacy creates safety. We protect the space.

YOUR RETREAT LEAD

Hey there! I'm Dr. C.

I’m Antoine Crosby, PhD (Dr. C), a clinical psychologist and the founder of Affirmative Spaces. My work centers Black and Brown Queer folks, with a focus on trauma, identity, emotional healing, and building community that feels safe and affirming.

This retreat is deeply personal to me. It's an extension of the work I've done supporting Black Queer men navigating identity, healing, and belonging.

It's been created with intention, structure, and care to offer a space where Black Queer men can step away from performance and reconnect with themselves and each other in a way that feels safe, honest, and grounded.

A LOOK AHEAD

A Glimpse at the Weekend

Each day offers a balance of group work, grounding, rest, and connection.

Participants can expect:

• Morning yoga and shared breakfast
• Facilitated healing circles and reflection
• Time in nature and guided integration
• Long dinners and fellowship
• Fireside closing and sound bath
• A gentle Sunday soft closing

A detailed itinerary will be shared after your spot is confirmed.

Room Options + Pricing

This retreat is intentionally small, with a maximum of 9 participants to ensure a meaningful and connected experience.

To secure your spot, a $500 depoist is required. After registering, you'll complete a short form so we can learn more about you and ensure the space remains aligned for everyone.

If the retreat is not a good fit, your deposit will be fully refunded.

Step 1
Secure your spot with your $500 deposit.

Step 2
Check your email for a confirmation and complete a short registration form within 48 hours.

Step 3
Once your form is submitted, your spot is fully confirmed, and you'll receive next steps to prepare for the retreat.

PRIVATE ROOM

5 Spots Available

$2,600

Private bedroom + bathroom

$500 deposit to secure your spot.
Remaining Balance: $2100

Pay In Full: $2100
3 Monthly Payments: $700
4 Monthly Payments: $525
6 Monthly Payments: $350

CHOOSE PRIVATE ROOM

SHARED ROOM

4 Spots / 2 Rooms Available

$2,100

Two separate beds in one room + shared bathroom

$500 deposit to secure your spot.
Remaining Balance: $1600

Pay In Full: $1600
3 Monthly Payments: $534
4 Monthly Payments: $400
6 Monthly Payments: $267

CHOOSE SHARED ROOM

Room Options + Pricing

This retreat is intentionally small.

This retreat is application-only to protect the safety and integrity of the space.

Step 1
Submit an application.

Step 2
If accepted, you’ll receive an email to submit your deposit.

Step 3
Once your deposit is received, your spot is officially reserved.

PRIVATE ROOM
$2600

Private bedroom + bathroom

SECURE YOUR SPOT NOW!

SHARED ROOM

$2100

Two separate beds in one room + shared bathroom

SECURE YOUR SPOT NOW!

Deposit + Payment Plan

A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot.

Flexible 3, 4, and 6-month payment plans are available to make this experience more accessible.

All payments must be completed according to the selected plan. Payments are non-refundable once submitted.

CHOOSE YOUR ROOM & PAYMENT PLAN

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQS

Where is Serenbe located?

What meals are included?

What does the schedule look like?

What does the retreat fee include?

Is this therapy?

Do I have to share in group?

Can I drink alcohol or use substances during the retreat?

Can I record content during the retreat?

What should I pack?

How do payment plans work?

What is the cancellation policy?

If you’ve been craving a space where you can be fully yourself and experience brotherhood without performance, you’re invited to attend.

Belonging Without Performing

A Healing Retreat for Black Queer Men

October 22-26, 2026 • Serenbe, Georgia

What This Retreat Is

What This Retreat Is

What We'll Do Toghether

Arriving and Settling In

Naming the Experience

Letting Go of the Masks

Connection Without Performance

Mind and Body Reset

A Different Kind of Closing

Integration and Moving Forward

This Retreat Is For You If...

What's Included

Who this retreat is not for...

A HEALING SPACE

The Container

YOUR RETREAT LEAD

Hey there! I'm Dr. C.

A LOOK AHEAD

A Glimpse at the Weekend

Room Options + Pricing

PRIVATE ROOM

5 Spots Available

$2,600

SHARED ROOM

4 Spots / 2 Rooms Available

$2,100

Room Options + Pricing

This retreat is intentionally small.

PRIVATE ROOM$2600

SHARED ROOM

$2100

Deposit + Payment Plan

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQS

Where is Serenbe located?

What meals are included?

What does the schedule look like?

What does the retreat fee include?

Is this therapy?

Do I have to share in group?

Can I drink alcohol or use substances during the retreat?

Can I record content during the retreat?

What should I pack?

How do payment plans work?

What is the cancellation policy?

Join Our Free Trial

PRIVATE ROOM
$2600