"I Felt Held - In Community" | Queer Retreats

Kevin Hawkins shares what he took away from attending an LGBTQ+ wellness experience by Queer Retreats.

Kevin is a UX Research & Product Design leader with 17 years of experience in working on complex social problems, delighting customers, and growing startups. Kevin spends his personal time as a public speaker and mentor for under-represented groups in the tech sector, and is a former Pride organizer. As a gay, Liberian-American that’s lived across the USA, Europe, and Asia, he specializes in building communities and using food to bring people together.

As a first-time attendee at a Queer Retreats event, Kevin shared with us his perspective on what he took away from the experience—from perspective shifting techniques to learning to tap into our sources of joy.

When we talk about difficult, challenging moments, we talk about 'changing perspective', but maybe we don't have lots of techniques to actually do that. I really liked the metaphors, the usage of both science, western medicine and eastern medicine, so that I have a point of reference for both the left and right side of my brain. - Kevin Hawkins

Kevin joined our "Reclaiming Joy" retreat, which invites participants to reconnect with their essential nature, reclaiming their joy, well-being, and personal power as a means to navigate challenging circumstances. Through inner awareness, reflection, and practical tools, we guide participants on how to cultivate resilience and safeguard their mental health as Queer people, while fostering strength to face life's difficulties with renewed clarity and peace. Kevin shared how the retreat programme has shaped his approach to leadership:

Leadership doesn't come from calm stability, it comes from the ability to navigate the waves. Dedicating space and time to talk about what comes after the waves, before the waves, and how you can still find joy and lead with kindness is extremely powerful. - Kevin Hawkins

If you’re a queer professional or leader feeling the weight of burnout, isolation, or the need to reconnect to your purpose—our wellness experiences are built with you in mind. Find your retreat.

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While you're here...

Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here.

We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here. New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter so you can stay up to date!