Cultivating Community Leaders
Recognizing the need for respite and community for BIWOC leaders
The Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI), in partnership with the Harriet Tubman Liberation Foundation, the Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks at Great Camp Sagamore, and facilitator/mentor Lucienne Nicholson, presents a program designed to provide Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIWOC) leaders with the respite and sense of community needed to sustain their work and inspire their journeys.
This program aims to bring together individuals with lived experiences as women and gender-expansive individuals to create a supportive space for empowerment and healing.
- 100% of participants reported an extremely positive experience
- 100% of participants reported a deeper connection to nature, a stronger commitment to self-care, and a stronger support network
How the program works
Our program begins with a transformative 4-day retreat in the Adirondacks, where we create a space for rejuvenation, connection, and empowerment, utilizing nature as our healer.
Each cohort is then invited to networking and leadership development opportunities throughout the year to continue supporting and nurturing growth.
What to expect
Below is a sample list of activities to give you a sense of what to expect during the retreat. Participants accepted into the program will receive a detailed schedule, including full workshop descriptions, prior to the retreat. We carefully craft a schedule that balances the importance of time for rest with the community-building and resource sharing needed to sustain it.
Mindfulness & Nature-Centered Activities
- Guided Journaling and Reflective Writing Practices
- Art-Based and Creative Exploration
- Guided Nature Walks and Outdoor Discovery
- Hiking and Paddling Adventures
- Essential Wilderness Skills: Compass Navigation and Fire Making
Leadership Workshops & Activities
- What Do I Have? What Do I Need? What Can I Give?
- Finding and Following Your True North
- Diversity in Nature Discussion
- Tackling Our Limiting Beliefs
In participants’ words
This has been a life-changing experience - and I do not say that lightly. I am still in awe of what transpired at Sagamore.
The Retreat is very necessary and absolutely life-transforming. Leaders do not always have an opportunity to be a participant...
This was definitely a highlight in my career.
My biggest takeaway is the profound sense of shared purpose and authentic connection. I'm leaving with a renewed sense of confidence and a deeper commitment to leading with empathy and vulnerability. This retreat wasn't just about professional development; it was a deeply personal journey that has forever changed how I see my role in the world and how I plan to support the women around me.
I am recommitted to pairing compassion with accountability, holding myself and my community responsible for creating tangible, lasting change.
Facilitators
Lucienne Nicholson
Retreat facilitator
About Lucienne
Lucienne is the Spiritual founder of Cultivating Community Leadership, who brought us all together with her love of people and nature. Lucienne is an enthusiastic gardener, a beach lover, and a wholehearted admirer of nature and its power to heal. She is the former founding director of Woods and Us.
Lucienne believes that a relationship with nature is essential for all persons; equitable access to the outdoors for children, families, and communities of color with lower socioeconomic standing is a way to improve the physical, mental, and spiritual health of vulnerable populations.
Paris V. Price
Founding Director, Harriet Tubman Liberation Foundation
About Paris
The Founding Director of the Harriet Tubman Liberation Foundation, Inc., a founding member of Cayuga County Faith Partners and pastors the Harriet Tubman AME Zion Church in Auburn, NY. Paris is a native Syracusan, currently living in Cicero, NY, with her husband Darin. They are the proud parents of three adults, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Paris and Darin are business owners of Right Price Companies, Inc., celebrating 20 years in business. In addition, the Price’s own RPC Technology, Inc. and P &D Legacy Holdings, LLC.
Paris has a heart for service and loves to work with women to develop their full leadership potential. She is an avid gardener and loves to dance, paint, read, and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Paris is also a member of Girltrek.
Tamara Jolly
Community Initiatives Manager
tjolly@adirondack.org
518-891-6200 x102About Tamara
Tamara serves as the Community Initiatives Manager for the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, where she brings together her expertise in biology, ecology, teaching, and DEI to foster more inclusive and resilient communities in the Adirondacks. She is a passionate advocate for making nature accessible and inclusive for everyone. Tamara has confronted the challenges of exclusion in outdoor spaces, fueling her mission to broaden access and foster a sense of belonging in nature for marginalized communities.
Tamara fell in love with the Adirondacks after taking a sabbatical from teaching high school science in Baltimore City to attend the SUNY ESF Ranger School, where she was honored to graduate as valedictorian. When she is not working, you will find her outdoors birding, soaking up the arts, or adventuring with her husband and daughter on hiking trails, at campsites, and in everyday moments of joy. Recently relocated to Troy, NY, the family also treasures time on their property outside of Star Lake, NY, a place that continues to deepen her connection to the North Country she loves.
Toi Sweeney
Founder, The Well Dressed Brand
About Toi
Toi is the visionary founder of The Well Dressed Brand, a transformative platform dedicated to empowering fearless innovators, trailblazers, and disruptors to elevate their personal brands and build high-performance teams. With certifications in Brand Strategy from the Kellogg School of Management and Northwestern University, Digital Marketing from Harvard Business School, and Fascination Advantage™, Toi is a leading authority in personal branding and professional development.
An award-winning fashion stylist, Toi has received the Icon of the Year Award from The Art Institute of Philadelphia and the prestigious Telly Award for her groundbreaking work. She is also the bestselling author of Secrets of a Well-Dressed Brand and a TEDx speaker, captivating audiences with her insights on personal branding and empowerment. With over 20 years of experience, her expertise has been featured in publications such as Where Women Create Magazine, Canvas Rebel Magazine, and Troora Magazine, as well as on platforms like Donald Miller’s Story Brand, The Kim Gravel Show, and Anthony O’Neal’s podcast.
Toi is a student of Iaido, the Japanese art of swordsmanship, reflecting her commitment to focus, discipline, and resilience—qualities she instills in her clients. Through The Well Dressed Brand, Toi helps individuals and organizations unlock their full potential, craft powerful narratives, and set new standards for success.
In collaboration with
Kim Sorensen
Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks at Great Camp Sagamore
About Kim
Kim joined Great Camp Sagamore because its mission—to share the outdoors and its history—speaks to her heart. She has spent her career helping people connect to nature and culture through outdoor education, most recently serving 11 years with Texas Parks and Wildlife in roles ranging from Outdoor Education Diversity Specialist to Boater Education Manager.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Kim has always felt most at home in the mountains. Some of her most meaningful memories come from camping under the stars, paddling wild rivers, or casting a fly on quiet waters. A passionate outdoorswoman and educator, she brings that same joy and curiosity to Sagamore, where she loves inspiring others to discover adventure, history, and a deeper connection to the Adirondacks.
Where you’ll stay
Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks at Great Camp Sagamore
1105 Sagamore Road, PO Box 40, Raquette Lake, NY 13436
315-354-5311
Rooming: During the retreat, participants will be thoughtfully paired with a roommate. Each room features beautiful views, and our cohort will share several spacious, fully equipped bathrooms. Wi-fi will be available in our rooms and lobby areas, but not throughout the camp.
Please note that we cannot ensure single-occupancy rooms due to the size of our group.
Costs: This retreat is free for accepted participants, which includes all lodging, meals, programming, and activities. Each participant is responsible for their own travel; however, we will assist in arranging carpool groups.
Historic Great Camp Sagamore offers a variety of immersive experiences that encompass a wide range of interests and pursuits, including programs focusing on traditional Adirondack arts, music, outdoor recreation, history, wellness, family options, and more.
As an all-inclusive destination, multi-day programs include lodging, meals, expert instruction, access to various activities, and the opportunity to simply relax and enjoy Sagamore's rustic, historical beauty. Activities comprise a historical tour of Sagamore’s buildings and grounds, bowling in the historic open-air bowling alley, campfires in the historic lean-to, launching kayaks and canoes from the historic boathouse, and access to over 12 miles of hiking trails.
To ensure all participants' comfort and safety, we guarantee arrival and departure occurs with ample time to drive during daylight in the region.
We will do everything possible to ease travel-related worries and support participants' specific needs whenever we can.
Photographs
Adirondack Almanack Cultivating Community Leaders: BIPOC women find healing and connection at Adirondack retreat
Join the interest list
Our next cohort's application will be available in early 2027. Leave your name and email and ADI will write when it opens.
From ADI’s calendar
ADI gatheringThursday–Sunday, August 20–23, 2026
Cultivating Community Leaders Retreat
Great Camp Sagamore, Raquette Lake
ADI gatheringThursday–Sunday, August 21–24, 2025
Cultivating Community Leaders Retreat
Great Camp Sagamore, Raquette Lake