Love Letters to Our Bodies: Day of Renewal — Restoration & Rest for Sisters

African American Women Experienced Integrative Therapies for Support

On July 17th, 70 African American women gathered at The Center for Healthy Communities in Oakland for the Love Letters to Our Bodies: Day of Renewal Wellness Summit — a day devoted entirely to rest, healing, and reconnecting with our bodies.

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From the moment doors opened for Check-In and Sacred Rose Entry, the energy in the room was warm, welcoming, and full of intention. Opening remarks set the tone for the day, followed by a proud moment: the reading of an official proclamation from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, honoring the work of Moyo Institute and this gathering of healing.

A Day Built Around Direct Experience

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After introductions from our incredible partners, attendees moved through a series of Direct Experience Rotations — hands-on healing stations designed to let every woman feel, not just hear about, the power of holistic care:

• Station 1 — Ear Seeds - Nishanga Bliss and Sachi Enochty of Charlotte Maxwell Clinic administered ear seeds, letting women experience the benefits of ear acupuncture without needles; Reiki - East Bay Healing House Team and Dajanee Dawson shared Reiki; & Chair Massage - Roshonda Parker of Royal Touch Wellness shared Chair Massage

• Station 2 — Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping with Jennifer Groebe

• Station 3 — Calming Your Stress Response with Melbra Watts

• Station 4 — Food As Medicine with Suzette Chaumette, Food Indy collaborator with Black Ladies Advocating for Cancer Care

• Station 5 — Micro Facials with Chu Teng

Each station offered a different doorway into the same destination: a body that feels cared for.

Nourishment, Recognition, and Rest.

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Dynamic Sisters Spotlight 2026

Midday brought a buffet lunch and a moment close to our hearts — the Dynamic Sisters Spotlight 2026, honoring three women whose survivorship and caregiving deserve to be celebrated out loud:

• Melodie L. Johnson — Survivor, Caregiver & Founder of Hart to Heart Food Pantry

• Juanita Waugh — Survivor & Co-Founder of Black Ladies Advocating for Cancer Care (BLACC)

• Jackie Mungo — Survivor & Founder of The Healing Institute Global Network

After participating in a raffle and hearing about the 100K Voices initiative of the American Cancer Society, the women were invited into inner reflection with Love Me Notes & Love Letters: Each woman drew inspirational messages from Moyo's newly created Love Notes to Me card deck and used them as a starting point to write her own love letter to her body. This was followed by a deeply healing Sound Bath led by East Bay Healing House that left the room in a collective, peaceful hush, and finally a Closing Circle — hands held, hearts full.

Gratitude

None of this would have been possible without our partners and funders: Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, East Bay Healing House, and BLACC (Black Ladies Advocating for Cancer Care), along with the generous support of the Lloyd Symington Foundation - principal sponsor for the Love Letters project, Red Oak Opportunity Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente. Thank you to all of the businesses who donated. Special thanks to the Doubletree by Hilton on the Berkeley Marian, Marriott Oakland City Center, and the Claremont Resort and Club for the generous donations for the Dynamic Sisters 2026 honorees.

Seventy women walked in carrying the weight of caregiving, work, and life — and walked out reminded that their bodies deserve love letters too.