About this Event
During Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday Weekend, the ADODI SOUTHERN REGION will host the FIFTEENTH ANNUAL WINTER WELLNESS SUBMIT in Jacksonville, FL.
The retreat theme is "Rooted in Wellness: Mind, Body, and Soul". During Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday Weekend, the ADODI SOUTHERN REGION will host the FIFTEENTH ANNUAL WINTER WELLNESS SUMMIT in Jacksonville, FL." It will include empowerment affirmation sessions, workshops, talent sharing, and fellowship.
***This is an alcohol & drug-free weekend***
The Adodi Southern Region comprises the 16 Southern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. The District of Columbia is also included.
Registration Information
Complete Registration Package - includes two-night hotel accommodations, Reception Dinner (Friday), lunch and dinner (Saturday),
Conference Materials & Special Adodi Southern Paraphernalia.
Breakfast is included with the hotel accommodations.
For those requiring accommodations, the registration fee is $400.00 (double occupancy) and $600.00 (single occupancy).
Retreat Only Package - includes Reception Dinner (Friday), lunch, and dinner (Saturday). Conference Materials & Special Adodi Southern Paraphernalia.
For those individuals who do not need accommodation, the registration is $275.00
The Opening Reception will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 7:30 pm EST. The Closing Event will take place on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST.
**************NOTICE**************
Adodi Southern Region's COVID-19 Protocol for January 16 - 18, 2026, in Jacksonville, FL.
**** Safety Protocols****
The CDC guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but it also helps us reach a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives. Therefore, the Adodi Southern Region Advisory Board will remain mindful of best practices when proceeding with our in-person retreat. These requirements reflect current CDC guidelines and aim to create the safest possible space for all ASR Retreat Attendees.
The following safeguards are in place to mitigate our community risk:
1. Face coverings: Attendees are encouraged to wear Face coverings/masks while indoors at the hotel, except when eating and drinking. Face coverings will be available for all events. In addition, during meals (food/beverage service), servers wear masks and gloves.
2. Hand sanitizer: Hand sanitizing stations will be strategically located/used throughout the Retreat site, and attendees will be reminded to wash their hands frequently.
3. Social distancing: Be mindful of self-physical distance and social distancing throughout Retreat events.
4. Cleaning/Sanitizing: Regularly clean high-touch areas (e.g., workshop room doors, door handles, etc.). ASR Winter Retreat Committee Designees and volunteers will perform these tasks.
Adodi Southern Region's main priorities are caring for and supporting one another during the Retreat and in general.
We appreciate you and look forward to hosting you from January 16 -18, 2026, in Jacksonville, FL.
Adodi Southern Region Advisory Board
How to submit payment for the ASR Winter Retreat
Online registration through Eventbrite (full payment required)
1) Payments can be submitted through PayPal
The account username is [email protected]
**Partial payments can be made through PayPal, sending to [email protected], using the prompt "send to friends & family."
2) Payments can be submitted through CashApp
The account username is $AdodiSouthernRegion
**Partial payments can be made
3) Payments can be mailed to the P.O. Box
1. Make your payments out to Adodi Southern Region
2. Mail to P.O. Box 4805, Columbia, SC 29240
**Partial payments can be made
You can connect for additional information about the retreat registration and payments.
Gerald McNair
[email protected]
803-553-3477
*****Retreat Deadline Dates*****
The deadline for online registration and PayPal for the Full Retreat Package is Friday, January 9, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST. Total payments (Cash, CashApp, or Money Orders for the non-hotel package) will not be accepted at the door.
**** RETREAT CANCELLATION POLICY****
RETREAT CANCELLATIONS
You must read and understand our cancellation policy before completing your registration.
Naturally, no one wants to cancel or postpone their retreat, but unexpected things can happen, so please consider purchasing travel cancellation insurance once you have made your reservation.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The cancellation policy ASR designed below is to protect both retreat leaders and all retreat attendees (prospective and current).
CANCELLATION | Initiated by Participant
Please note that there will be no refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays, or illness. If you cancel your participation in the retreat for any reason, the cancellation policy below will apply, with no exceptions.
We wish we could compensate people for unforeseen circumstances, but we have incurred expenses that, once paid, we cannot refund. If you have concerns, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
** CANCELLATION POLICY**
IF YOU CANCEL MORE THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE THE RETREAT (BEFORE December 16, 2025)
The balance of your fees paid will be refunded, minus a cancellation fee of 30% of your registration fee, to cover administrative costs.
IF YOU CANCEL LESS THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE THE RETREAT AND YOU CAN NOT FILL YOUR PLACE:
You will forfeit a full refund and receive a 50% credit to be applied to a future retreat.
CANCELLATION | Initiated by retreat leaders
While we have never canceled a retreat to date, if the Adodi Southern Region retreat must be canceled for any reason, you may transfer your full retreat payment to another retreat or request a refund of your payment, constituting a full settlement. Adodi Southern Region is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled retreat, such as airline tickets, loss of work, and/or other costs associated with trip preparation. If you have any concerns, please consider purchasing travel insurance.
To cancel, you must notify Gerald McNair by email or phone at [email protected] or 803-553-3477
WHAT IS ADODI
Adodi is dedicated to the mutual acknowledgment, acceptance, appreciation, & affirmation of same-gender-loving men of African descent. Our purpose is to foster & encourage the self-discovery, validation, empowerment, & liberation of all members of our diverse community. We provide a safe space to same-gender-loving men of African heritage who seek a better understanding of their spirituality, self-expression, & sexual identity. Over the last 30+ years, same-gender-loving brothers have gathered under the banner of ADODI to affirm, celebrate, and honor themselves and each other.
THE SIX PRINCIPLES OF ADODI
1) Spiritually Guided
We seek alignment with the Divine Energy that unites and centers all our spirits at the beginning and end of everything we do.
2) Honesty, Openness, & Clarity
We stand personally responsible for communicating thoughts and feelings in a sincere & concise manner. We clearly & fully articulate our ideas, suggestions, insights, & needs while being mindful of our body language.
3) Sensitivity to Feelings
We utilize active listening as a means of respect, acknowledgment, & validation of the feelings or viewpoints expressed & implied by our brothers, whether or not we agree with them.
4) Carefronting
We reach out to support & assist each other in a caring & effective manner. When coming face to face with each other around sensitive & challenging issues, we always address each other from a place of love & openness to facilitate healing & intimacy versus aggression & antagonism, which leads to hurt & distance.
5) Resolution
We take collective care, within the bounds of all we do, to allow space for individual members to achieve closure on matters discussed while monitoring the process & the time constraints. When necessary, we can establish a specified time & setting where unresolved issues can be further explored.
6) The Five A's: Acknowledge, Appreciate, Affirm, Accept, Ache'
This principle guides and supports all the others, and all other principles can be seen as an aspect of The Five A’s. ACHE is the concept of Power and Empowering (So Be It), which reinforces all that we say or do, declaring our intentions to the Universe and the Divine Energy that unites and centers all our spirits. We use The Five A’s as ideal dynamics when responding to each other.
This principle guides and supports all the others, and all other principles can be seen as an aspect of The Five A’s.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
DoubleTree By Hilton Jacksonville Airport, 2101 Dixie Clipper Drive, Jacksonville, United States
USD 275.00 to USD 600.00
