A Two-Day Gathering of Art, Culture, and Community Practice
Celebrating 10 Years of Holistic Underground and 5 Years of Beloved Community with Embrace Featuring the Launch of the Majalis Fund
May 2–3 · Oakland
The Real + The Radiant brings together artists, organizers, cultural leaders, and community builders to honor:
A decade of creative infrastructure-building by Holistic Underground
Five years of Embrace’s practice of beloved community
This gathering also marks the launch of the Majalis Fund — investing ecosystems and infrastructure for thriving culture, commerce, and communities across cultures.
Across two days, we will:
Reflect on the work that has brought us here
Share artistic expression and collective learning
Engage in practices that help us stay together across difference
Imagine what comes next
Art, relationship, and resource move together here.
Flame on.
THE EXPERIENCE
DAY 1: Friday Evening
May 2, 2026
4:00 PM - Arrival, Welcome & Check-in
5:30 PM - Opening Fire Ceremony
6:00 PM - Beloved Community DINNER
7:30 PM - Sacred Song Circle & Live Music
DAY 2: Saturday
May 3, 2026
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM - Self-Serve BREAKFAST
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Breakout - Authentic and Ancestral Paths (Brothers/Sisters Breakouts)
12:30 PM - LUNCH & FREE TIME
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Leading at the Threshold Ritual
4:30 PM - FREE TIME (Extended Community Arrival)
6:30 PM - Beloved Community DINNER
8:00 PM - Live Music & Sacred Song Circle
MEET THE TEAM
Co-Director, Embrace
Executive Director, Holistic Underground
Mazin Jamal
Co-Director, Embrace
Lotus Malana Wong
Chef, Farmer & Sustainability Expert
Zion Davidson
King David Walker Jr.
Embrace Retreat Event Producer
Ceremonialist, Musician, & Guide,
Altar de Koskatlan
Winter Jendayi
Embrace Men’s Circle Co-Lead
& Board Member
Men’s Integrity Coach & Ritualist,
Evolve. Men
Mischa Byruck
FAQ
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The Majalis Fund is a new initiative investing in ecosystems and infrastructure for thriving culture, commerce, and communities across cultures.
It will support Middle Eastern and North African performing artists across the Bay Area through partnership and regranting efforts.
More details will be shared during the Friday program.
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You can support by:
Attending and bringing community
Sharing the event with your networks
Contributing to ecosystem-building efforts connected to Holistic Underground, Embrace, and the Majalis Fund
Details on ongoing engagement opportunities will be available at the event.
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The Living Fire is designed for:
Artists and cultural workers
Organizers and community builders
Funders and ecosystem partners
Members of the Holistic Underground and Embrace communities
Anyone invested in sustaining culture, relationship, and shared practice
If you care about art, belonging, and building across difference, this space is for you.
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Whispertree Retreat Center is 2.5 hours from Oakland, CA. The address is 12378 Boonville Rd. Boonville, California 95415.
There is a carpool form you can complete and we will do our best to support your transport needs though it is not included in the cost.
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No. You are welcome to attend Friday, Saturday, or both days.
Each day has its own focus:
Friday centers Holistic Underground and the launch of the Majalis Fund.
Saturday centers Embrace and beloved community in practice.
We encourage attending both if you can — the arc across the two days is intentional.
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There are both private and shared-room lodging options. Lodging sign ups happen on a first registered / first serve basis. To accommodate guests arriving on Saturday Evening, some lodging options will be available Friday evening that are not available Saturday. We will prioritize elders and people with disabilities, however we will do our best to accommodate everyone's requests to the best of our abilities.
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We will be sending a special packing list.
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This is an invite only retreat. Please ask about +1 partners and children.
