Washington, D.C., March 18, 2024 — In a remarkable demonstration of leadership and connection, A. Prince Albert III, a distinguished Georgetown University Law Center alumnus and the Founder, President, and CEO of Goldwater Ventures, recently co-lead the consortium's inaugural "Grounding: A Space for Healing and Reconnection" retreat. This transformative retreat was designed for and by BIPOC Georgetown students from communities with legacies of enslavement, exploited labor, forced migration, and displacement. The program aims to unearth and heal their connections to the environment through immersive visual and performance arts activities, personal reflections, inspiring speakers, and meaningful interpersonal dialogue.
The retreat team comprised a dynamic group of staff and coordinators, each bringing exceptional experience and expertise. Georgetown's Director for Protestant Life, Rev. Ebony J. Grisom, guided the entire retreat experience. Renowned for his ground-breaking work in uplifting Afro-Diasporic and Indigenous cultural sustainability efforts, Princekeynoted the initial "History and Identity" module. His presence at the retreat resonated deeply with the students who, inspired by his journey of integrating his purpose with his profession, aspire to do the same. Fr. Barwendé Médard Sané, SJ, Ed.D, a Jesuit Priest and postdoctoral researcher of Afrocentric epistemologies and environmental justice, delivered the grounding address for the "Reconciliation and Healing" module. Fr. Sané brought critical perspectives on how integrating diverse knowledge systems and values could address contemporary environmental and social challenges. Dr. Melanie Y. White, an Assistant Professor of Afro-Caribbean Studies in the Black Studies Department and the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, keynoted the final module titled "Preparing for the Present," where she offered deep insights into the intersections of faith, social justice, and cultural identity.
Student leaders played integral roles in planning, designing, and administering the program. Chiefly, Sophia Monsalvo SFS'26 served as the Retreat Director, and Akil Cole C'24 served as the Activity Coordinator. Sophia is an environmental studies major from the class of 2026 whose leadership ensured that the retreat's programming ran smoothly and incorporated a strong environmental focus. Akil, a peace and security major from the class of 2024, designed the activities that challenged and inspired participants to engage with concepts of connection on personal and global levels. Together, this team ensured a retreat experience that was educational, deeply reflective, and transformative.
In an engaging and insightful session, Prince shared his intersectional identities and the experiences that have shaped his understanding of his ancestry and his relationship with the environment. His stories and insights were a testament to the transformative power of understanding our personal histories and how they shape our relationships with our communities and nature. His participation in the retreat highlighted the crucial first step toward healing and reconciliation: acknowledging and understanding our histories and identities. He emphasized the critical role that communities of color, with their unusual legacies to the land, play in advocating for and protecting our planet.
The students left the retreat with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of their role in caring for the environment, their communities, and our common home. As they look forward to integrating their studies and professions with their desire to uplift their communities, Prince Albert III's "groundedness" serves as a powerful model for merging purpose with profession.
Goldwater Ventures is a global consulting partner for mission-driven organizations and social entrepreneurs. Through its three specialized practice areas—technology and telecommunications, media and entertainment, and cultural sustainability—the firm empowers individuals and communities to solve social problems.
Citation
Goldwater Ventures, Goldwater President Keynotes Georgetown's Inaugural Grounding Retreat, Mar. 19, 2024, https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/goldwater-president-keynotes-georgetown-s-inaugural-grounding-retreat?referral=business-feed.
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