There are moments in life when pushing forward is no longer the answer, when what we truly need is to pause, breathe, and restore.

That is the heartbeat behind the 3rd Annual Big Easy Retreat, a powerful gathering of women committed to healing, growth, and authentic connection. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Essence Festival Weekend in New Orleans, this year’s experience invites women into a deeper conversation centered on “The Power of Restoration.”

Founded by Dr. Toscha L. Dickerson and her daughter, Kaleigh Dickerson, the retreat is more than a wellness event, it is a sacred space where real stories are honored, grief is acknowledged, and transformation is embraced. After navigating a deeply personal season of loss, Dr. Dickerson returns to this platform with renewed purpose, embodying the very message she shares: that restoration is not just possible: it is necessary.

From meaningful dialogue and wellness-centered sessions to intergenerational empowerment through the Teen Edition: Glow Up, The Big Easy Retreat creates an atmosphere where women are not only inspired but equipped.

Because in every season, there is power in choosing to heal.

We had the pleasure of catching up with these two to discuss the message behind the brand:

What inspired you and your daughter to create the Big Easy Retreat, and how has the vision evolved over the past three years?

The inspiration for The Big Easy Retreat was rooted in both a divine calling and a deeply personal desire to create space for healing. In 2019, I received a vision from God to build a safe, empowering environment where Black women and teen girls could focus on their mental health, wellness, and personal growth. At the same time, my daughter and I often talked about the pressures women carry and constantly give to others while neglecting themselves. Together, we recognized the need for a space where women could simply pause, be supported, and be restored.

This year’s theme is “The Power of Restoration.” What does restoration mean to you personally, and why is it so important for women in this season?

Restoration, for me, is deeply personal. It means being made whole again spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, after life has taken something out of you. It’s about returning to a place of peace, clarity, and strength, even after experiencing loss, disappointment, or exhaustion.

Restoration creates space to release what we’ve been holding, to reconnect with who we are beyond our responsibilities, and to be poured back into. It allows us to reset our minds, renew our spirits, and realign with our purpose.

That’s why The Power of Restoration is so important right now. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to operate from a place of depletion. We deserve to be whole. We deserve to heal. And we deserve spaces where we are supported in that process. Restoration isn’t just about recovery; it’s about renewal. It’s about coming back stronger, clearer, and more grounded in who we are and who we are called to be.

You shared that last year was a season of deep loss and grief. How did that experience shape this year’s retreat and your message to women?

This past season of my life reshaped my understanding of restoration in a profound way. After losing my mentor and my sister;  two women who were not only central to my life, but instrumental in building The Big Easy Retreat. I found myself in a space where I had to truly lean on God for healing. Restoration wasn’t instant. It required stillness, reflection, and allowing myself the grace to grieve while trusting that I could be rebuilt. For many women, especially Black women, restoration is not something we prioritize. We’re often taught to keep going, to stay strong, and to carry everything without pause. But in this season, restoration is essential. Women are navigating so much; personally, professionally, emotionally, and many are doing it silently.

Moving forward with the retreat after such a difficult time is powerful. What has healing looked like for you, and how are you pouring that into this experience?

Healing, for me, has not been a straight line. It’s been a journey of surrender, grace, and rediscovery. After losing my mentor and my sister, I had to allow myself to feel everything instead of doing what so many of us as women are conditioned to do, which is to push through and keep going.

Healing looked like it was slowing down. It looked like giving myself permission to grieve without guilt. It meant leaning into my faith in a deeper way and trusting God even when I didn’t fully understand the “why.” There were moments of silence, moments of reflection, and moments where I had to rebuild my strength from the inside out. But healing also looked like community. It looked like being surrounded by people who allowed me to be human, not just strong. And that piece right there reinforced why spaces like The Big Easy Retreat are so necessary.

As I’ve healed, I’ve become even more intentional about how that healing shows up in this experience. This retreat is no longer just something I created; it’s something I’ve lived. Every session, every conversation, every moment is designed with a deeper level of care and understanding.

The retreat focuses on holistic wellness: mind, body, and soul. Why is it important for women, especially Black women, to take a more integrated approach to their well-being?

Taking a holistic approach to wellness is essential because women, especially Black women, don’t experience life in separate compartments. What we carry emotionally shows up physically. What we endure mentally can impact us spiritually. Everything is connected.

For so long, Black women have been conditioned to survive rather than truly live. We’ve been the backbone of our families, our communities, and our workplaces, often at the expense of our own well-being. We push through stress, silence our struggles, and wear strength like a badge of honor. But that kind of strength, without restoration, can lead to burnout, illness, and disconnection from ourselves. An integrated approach to wellness acknowledges that you can’t fully heal one area without addressing the others.

You’re bringing in medical professionals to discuss mental health and grief. Why was it important to include those conversations in this space?

Including medical professionals in conversations around mental health and grief was intentional and necessary. While faith, community, and shared experiences are powerful, I believe true healing also requires access to credible, informed guidance, especially when it comes to navigating complex emotions like grief, trauma, and stress.

For many Black women, mental health has historically been something we don’t openly discuss. There can be stigma, lack of access, or the belief that we simply have to “pray it away” or “push through.” While faith is a cornerstone for many of us, it should work in partnership with knowledge and professional support—not as a replacement for it. Bringing in medical professionals helps to bridge that gap.

It creates a space where women can receive accurate information, practical tools, and language to better understand what they’re experiencing. It also normalizes these conversations. When women see experts speaking openly about mental health and grief, it affirms that what they’re feeling is real, valid, and worthy of attention.

For me personally, after experiencing deep loss, I realized that healing requires more than one approach. It’s not just spiritual; it’s emotional and psychological as well.  I wanted to make sure that the women who attend The Big Easy Retreat have access to a well-rounded support system.