Reimagining Restorative Justice Through Self-Care Recharge: Body-Focused
In the heart of Bronzeville, Chicago, a historic hub of Black culture and artistry, Lighthouse Foundation held its last Self-Care Recharge event of 2023, “Body-Focused." The event took place on Saturday, September 23, at the renowned Gallery Guichard and was a celebration of Black bodies as an act of restorative justice.
Gallery Guichard, a Black-owned art gallery showcasing works by Black artists, provided the perfect backdrop for this event. As the largest Black art district in the country, Bronzeville served as an ideal location to promote body positivity and wellness within the Black LGBTQ+ community.
With more than 100 people in attendance, the event aimed to address a crucial need within the Black LGBTQ+ community: accessible wellness services. Attendees were treated to a wide array of free self-care experiences, including express facials, ear acupuncture, group and individual stretching workshops, one-on-one chiropractic consultations, and massages. These services not only offered healing, but also emphasized the importance of prioritizing one's physical and mental well-being in the future.
Paulo Colby, a fitness coach who led stretching workshops throughout the day, highlighted the significance of these activities. “Wellness activities are not up to speed in the Black community,” he explained, “It’s all about being skinny. You’ve got to move your body. [As Black folks], we exist in more stressful and tasking environments. I encourage you to be active for the desire to be functional. It’s practice for real-world stress.”
The event left attendees feeling refreshed and revitalized. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to indulge in self-care that is not always readily available or encouraged. One older attendee marveled at the transformation of her skin, remarking, “My skin hasn’t felt this clean in I don’t know how long.” She couldn't wait to share the news with her family, confident they wouldn't believe how good she looked and felt.
Another attendee appreciated the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere of the event. “I enjoyed the ambiance of the event. To be around Black and POC folks always fuels my heart.”
Though this was our last Self-Care Recharge event of the year, predated by Self-Care Recharge: Mind and Soul and Sexplosion, we look forward to hosting more in 2024. They have consistently been among our most popular and well-attended events as an organization. They serve as a vital reminder that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity, and that building self-worth and community is an essential social determinant of health.
The Self-Care Recharge series has continued to provide a platform for Black LGBTQ+ Chicagoans to not only rejuvenate their bodies but also connect with others, explore new forms of spirituality, and reaffirm their self-worth. Our commitment to holistic well-being within the Black LGBTQ+ community remains unwavering, and future Recharge events promise to be just as transformative and empowering as those of this past year.
