NFBLME 2026 National Fall Wellness Retreat

October 8–11, 2026 | Stamford, Connecticut

Four Days of Real Brothers, Real Conversations and Real Growth.

The NFBLME 2026 National Fall Wellness Retreat was more than a gathering—it was a powerful investment in the men, the mission, and the movement we call NFBLME. Hosted at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Stamford, Connecticut, the retreat brought together more than 30 Fellows from our Rising Leader, Senior Leader, and C-Level Leader cohorts for four transformative days of leadership development, meaningful connections, and Brotherhood. Through dynamic workshops, honest conversations, and practical leadership strategies, Fellows strengthened their skills, deepened their relationships, and gained valuable tools to drive meaningful change within their organizations and improve outcomes for the students they serve.

The impact was undeniable, and the numbers speak for themselves! An incredible 90% of Fellows surveyed rated the retreat a perfect 10 out of 10, while every respondent gave it a 9 or higher, resulting in an exceptional overall average of 9.9! But the real story goes beyond the numbers. Fellows described an experience that challenged their thinking, strengthened their leadership, deepened their sense of Brotherhood, and reignited their purpose.

🌹“My experience this weekend was nothing short of phenomenal, because I got to meet gentleman from around the country and engage in conversations that I thought wouldn’t happen.”

🌹“Heart, Mind and Soul feeling. I left so filled with tools, ideas and goals for my next journey.  It wasn't just a feel good experience it was intentionally planned in a way that allowed me to fully be present and gather practical tools I can immediately apply to my work life, family life and personal life.”

🌹“So much praise to the planning team, y’all gave me the most incredible experience intellectually, spiritually and relationally I've ever had and you did it in 4-days! Outstanding!!!”

🌹“A necessary space! Cultivating leadership is a skill and NFBLME understands the depth needed for excellence.”

The retreat kicked off with intention, setting the stage for a day of Brotherhood, self-discovery, and personal growth. CEO & Founder Keith Brooks opened with Introduction to the Brotherhood: Rose & Concrete, grounding Fellows in the shared values and commitments that unite the Brotherhood. Through Diversity Rounds, Fellows engaged in honest conversations about the intersectionality of their identities as Black and Latino men, exploring how race, culture, and lived experiences shape their perspectives and leadership journeys. Building on these conversations, Exec-In-Residence & 2020 Alumni Dumar Paden led LifeMaps, a powerful workshop that encouraged Fellows to reflect on the people, experiences, and defining moments that have shaped who they are as men and leaders. The afternoon continued with Manage Yourself: Built Different + Conscious EI 101 + Focus!, providing practical strategies to strengthen emotional intelligence, sharpen focus, and lead with greater self-awareness. Fellows then had an opportunity to connect with NFBLME Board Chair 2021 Alumni Jamie Downs before coming together for a lively Guac Challenge, filled with laughter, fellowship, and connection. The evening concluded with dinner and Legends, Legacy, and Longevity, a special session led by Roberto Gutierrez that explored the importance of relationships, purpose, and building a legacy that extends beyond ourselves.

Day 2 focused on strengthening leadership skills and expanding impact through specialized workshops tailored to each Fellow’s leadership journey. Dumar opened the morning with Rose & Concrete + Intentions, setting the tone for a day of purposeful learning and growth. Senior and C-Level Leaders participated in two engaging workshops focused on leading people, teams, and organizations more effectively. Dr. Stephen McClain facilitated Manage Others: Management Center 201, providing practical strategies for managing teams, developing people, and strengthening leadership effectiveness. Dr. Cametra Edwards led Manage the Work: Organizational/Systems Leadership 201, helping Fellows navigate complex organizational systems, think strategically, and drive meaningful results. Meanwhile, Rising Leaders joined 2022 Alumni Raymie Fernandez for Data-Driven Decision Making, exploring how to use data to identify strengths and weaknesses, address organizational gaps, and prioritize solutions based on impact, risk, and audience. Together, these sessions equipped Fellows with practical tools and strategies to strengthen their leadership, improve organizational performance, and ultimately drive better outcomes for the students they serve. The day concluded with an open evening, giving Fellows time to recharge, connect, and reflect on how to put their learning into action.

Day 3 brought a dynamic mix of innovation, executive insight, and sodality as Fellows continued to push their leadership to new heights. The morning kicked off with Rose & Concrete + Wheel Reflection + Intentions, encouraging Fellows to reflect on their personal wellness, leadership growth, and goals. The energy arose as The Second City team took the stage for Manage the Work: Agile & Resilient Leadership, an interactive workshop using improvisation to strengthen adaptability, communication, resilience, and confidence when navigating uncertainty. The afternoon featured two rounds of Executive Leadership Panels with Jonas Crenshaw, 2020 Alumni Martin Palamore, Jonathan Howard and Davon Russell, giving Fellows access to experienced executives who shared real-world lessons, leadership challenges, and strategies for success. The learning continued as C-Level and Senior Leaders joined Dumar for Manage Yourself: Conscious Personal Branding 101 — Networking to Net Worth + Telling Your Story, exploring how to strengthen their professional presence, communicate their leadership journeys, and build meaningful connections. At the same time, Rising Leaders reconnected with Raymie for Data-Driven Decision Making, focusing on transforming priorities into actionable project-management strategies. The day concluded with dinner and an evening of bowling at Bowlero, bringing Fellows together for laughter, connection, and another memorable Brotherhood experience.

The final day brought everything full circle as Fellows reflected on their growth, strengthened their commitments, and prepared to carry the weekend's impact forward. The NFBLME Fellowship Team kicked off the morning with State of the Fellowship + Loteria, sharing the organization's vision, future priorities, and opportunities for Fellows to help shape what's next. The focus then shifted to collaboration and real-world problem-solving as NFBLME Executive Coaches facilitated Manage the Work: Iron Sharpens Iron Wellness Check-In + Radical Problem Solving by Tribe, creating space for Fellows to tackle leadership challenges, exchange ideas, and develop practical solutions with the support of their peers. The retreat concluded with the Brotherhood Induction, Closing Reflection, and Survey, an opportunity to celebrate the journey, reflect on key takeaways, and commit to meaningful action. Fellows left Stamford with stronger relationships, renewed purpose, practical leadership tools, and a deeper commitment to themselves, their communities, and the Brotherhood. 🌹