The Clearing: CCDA Pre-Conference Retreat

The Clearing
Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Pre-Conference Retreat

Richmond, Virginia

October 7, 2026

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sponsored by the CCDA Women of Color Affiliate Group

Facilitated by Lisa Sharon Harper (President and Founder, Freedom Road Consulting, LLC) with Brian K. Walls (Northwest Mutual, Financial Planner) and Dr. Kathleen Walls (Clinical Psychologist and Specialist in Mental Health Resilience)

Inspired by Baby Suggs Holy’s call to radical self-love in Toni Morrison’s Beloved, The Clearing is a national intervention, seeding and resourcing locally-rooted networks of mutual care across the United States. In the context of a mounting economic crisis, including the expulsion of nearly 700,000 Black women from the U.S. economy in 2025 and drastically cut healthcare access, this one-day retreat will equip participants with timely resources for economic, mental health, and spiritual resilience. Participants will also be introduced to key mutual aid organizations available when needed.Come to The Clearing. Connect and get equipped to meet the challenges of our times.

Registration:All registration levels offer access to The Clearing resource experts. Lunch not provided.

Post-Retreat coaching services will be available from all resource experts.

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Host or Publisher Freedom Road, LLC