(W.H.O.M.S.) Dorothy S. Johnson Y Retreat July 11–13. The three-day retreat will welcome youth aged 13 to 21 from across the country for a weekend of leadership development, spiritual growth, and immersive exposure to the HBCU experience.

Participants will travel from all corners of the nation—including the West Coast, Midwest, South, and Northeast—to take part in this intergenerational gathering grounded in faith, fellowship, and purpose.

Hosting the Y Retreat on Livingstone’s campus not only allows students to experience college life, but it also reinforces the college’s longtime relationship with the A.M.E. Zion Church. Livingstone College was founded in 1879 as the Wesley Institute to train ministers. In 1882, it relocated to Salisbury and was renamed in honor of African missionary and philanthropist David Livingstone. Today, college stands as a beacon of education, faith, and social progress.

Throughout the retreat, students will live in campus residence halls, dine in the cafeteria, and participate in pep rallies and campus traditions—offering a true taste of HBCU life at the institution built by the A.M.E. Zion Church.

This year’s retreat will follow the theme “Igniting the Leader in You,” with workshops tailored to each age group:

• Ages 13–15 will focus on early college preparation.
• Ages 16–18 will explore the admissions process and high school readiness.
• Ages 19–21 will dive into career development and financial literacy.

Meanwhile, adult chaperones will attend sessions on how to better support and serve the youth of the A.M.E. Zion Church.

Evenings will be dedicated to artistic expression, as participants showcase their talents in music, dance, and spoken word—culminating in a celebratory closing ceremony during the final worship service.

“We are thrilled to bring our youth to the campus of Livingstone College, where they’ll experience firsthand the spirit and culture of this beloved institution—the same place that helped shape my own daughter’s success,” said Marva Polk Wright, Connectional Secretary and Youth Missionary Supervisor of W.H.O.M.S. “As missionaries, our calling is to nurture young people spiritually—teaching them to listen to and speak with God—while also learning how to better support them in today’s world.”

Reflecting on the retreat’s deeper significance, Dr. Datarvia Parrish, Director of the Honors College and a proud member of the A.M.E. Zion Church, shared, “It simply feels good to witness the return of Zion youth events to Livingstone College. As a former attendee of the 1994 Christian Education Department’s Quadrennial Convention, and now an employee of Livingstone, I recognize in full circle this is where all Zion youth events should be. “

President of Livingstone College, Dr. Anthony J. Davis, added, “I’m excited about hosting the Y Retreat on the campus of Livingstone College. It is consistent with my overarching strategy to connect the campus community and the A.M.E. Zion Church.”

The retreat is more than just a summer event; it represents a significant investment in future generations. By bringing young people together to Livingstone College’s historic campus, this event connects faith, education, and culture in a way that represents the principles of both the A.M.E. Zion Church and the college itself. As students leave with new connections, a stronger spiritual foundation, and a clearer perspective for their future, the retreat demonstrates what is possible when institutions work together to invest in young lives.