This past weekend, Tekeya Priester and Jamila Palmer of Not Just A Getaway, hosted their 5th Annual Girls Wine Out Experience: Glamping Edition. The all-women’s getaway weekend took place at the Ark on Lake Lanier in Gainsville, Georgia.

 

Photo courtesy of Girls Wine Out

We had the chance to speak Tekeya Priester about the event.

 

Travel Noire: How did Girls Wine Out start initially?

Takeya: It started as a simple girls trip. Going through the hustle and bustle of life, we wanted to just get away for an overnight girls trip. This also came after Oprah’s “The Life You Want” Tour which inspired me to do something to keep the momentum going for women. What we did not expect was women pouring out their hearts and I did not realize how many women go through the trials of life and not take time out for themselves, until we did this trip at a local winery in Atlanta. So, a simple girls trip became therapy. We decided to create a private Facebook group that started with ten people and has now grown to over 3000 women. When I saw how fast our Facebook group grew, I decided to incorporate the event as the annual event to us to get away. Initially, it was just a one-day getaway, this year was an entire weekend.

 

Photo courtesy of Girls Wine Out

 

 

This year’s girls event began on Friday evening around 7 pm. As guests arrived to the property, they were welcomed with heavy hors-d’oeuvres and cocktails prepared by the weekend’s private chef, Travis L. Davis.

 

Photo courtesy of Girls Wine Out

 

Once everyone was checked-in and settled, the activities for the evening began. There was a wine tasting by Vino’s Chick (owned by a black woman who makes her own wine), a mixology class, girl chat by the fire pit, games, and a comedy show by comedienne Kiana Dancie.

 

Day 2 was jam-packed with things to do as soon as everyone woke up. The morning began with a Twerk Fitness class to help everyone work up an appetite for the amazing breakfast and mimosa bar that was prepared.

Photo courtesy of DeAnna Taylor

 

From there, attendees were able to float around to various wellness sessions such as a vision board event lead by Deborah Hawkes, a color therapy session with Nevaina Rhodes, makeup classes, a financial wellness session, and a seminar on investing. The sessions all focused on various areas that will help black women to live their best lives.

Photo courtesy of Girls Wine Out

 

Attendees could also get pampered during the day. Just for registering for the event, the women could receive free manicures, pedicures, and mini massages. There were also paid options for yoni steams, a foot detox, infra-red sauna, and tantra massages.

 

If all of this does not sound convincing, there was an empowering panel session. The all-female panel consisted of Mikki Taylor (author and Editor-at-Large of Essence Magazine), Brandice Daniels (author and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row), Angel McCoughtry (2x Gold Medalist and WNBA star), Ericka Pittman (brand architect), and Alechia Reese(international speaker and author). The women spoke about the importance of self-care and even seeking therapy as girl bosses in today’s world. They also shared their personal stories and proved that success doesn’t happen without faith and perseverance.

 

Photo courtesy of DeAnna Taylor

 

The evening concluded with an all-black gala to honor a few honorees for being powerful women in their respective industries.

Photo courtesy of Girls Wine Out

 

As far as future plans for the growing event, Priester told Travel Noire, “I don’t think I will do another Girls Wine Out Event exactly like this. I still want to do a girls getaway event, but I want to take it next level. Hopefully take it international with a large villa for everyone to stay in. It’s been somewhat difficult to get the sponsorship I need due to the “Wine Out” title. But I will still host other events for women.”

 

The event also works with different nonprofits that support women. This year Priester created her own cause to help women with cancer have the opportunity to get away without feeling guilty about it.

 

Photo courtesy of Girls Wine Out

 

All in all, the weekend did exactly what it was created to do: mentally and physically refresh women, so they can return to take on their responsibilities with a clear mind and newfound motivation.