Aging While Black: Leaving Fingerprints on Eternity
Is financial aid for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to all, which is why we offer financial assistance on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
We aim to support individuals facing financial challenges, including but not limited to members of under-represented communities. Our goal is to empower those who may face barriers in pursuing their educational and professional goals. If you're experiencing financial stress that might prevent you from attending our workshops, we encourage you to apply for assistance.
Raymond A. Jetson
Community Strategist | Faith Leader | Author of Aging While Black: A Radical Reimagining of Aging and Race in America
Reclaim Your Story: Build Lasting Impact as a Black Elder in America
To age while Black is a testament to strength, wisdom, and legacy – proof that every new chapter opens a pathway to possibility.
It means honoring the wisdom we carry into our communities while dispelling the misconceptions of what life in our 50s, 60s, and beyond should look like.
This four-day workshop creates an intentional space for Black people navigating midlife and beyond to explore, reframe, and claim their narratives of aging, with allies invited as partners in this collective work.
Guided by Raymond A. Jetson, founder of Aging While Black and author of the bestselling Aging While Black: A Radical Reimagining of Aging and Race in America, this immersive experience blends honest dialogue, storytelling, and critical reflection to provide tools and perspectives for purposeful living and lasting impact.
Join Raymond and the MEA team for this reflective, forward-looking workshop and walk away empowered to design the next chapters of your personal and communal legacy—connecting your aspirations to the ongoing story of Black ingenuity and achievement.
"Black people in their 50s, 60s, and beyond aren't just survivors—they're wisdom keepers and community architects."
– Raymond A. Jetson
Meet
Raymond A. Jetson
Community Strategist | Faith Leader | Author of Aging While Black
Raymond A. Jetson has spent over four decades bridging faith, policy, and community leadership to address aging, equity, and purpose. A former Louisiana state legislator, senior pastor, and CEO of a statewide health and human services organization, he brings both lived experience and institutional knowledge to this work.
He founded MetroMorphosis, activating citizen leadership in urban communities, and created the Aging While Black framework that reframes Black aging as a time for legacy, wisdom, and meaningful contribution.
Supported By the MEA Team
Mary Hofstedt
MEA's Content Facilitator
Mary Hofstedt is an experienced non profit leader and educator who strives to advance a more hopeful, caring, and connected world. Her passion for youth and community development led her to work with Challenge Success, spearhead a coalition of youth and adult partners to develop a community arts center, and ...
View BioLee Johnson
Head of Land, Livestock, and Mindfulness in Santa Fe
Lee likes to say that he’s as ordinary as dirt but as complex as soil. A former Course Director for the Colorado Outward Bound School and Certified Holistic Management Teacher, he has managed ranches in Nebraska and Tennessee as well as several ranches here in New Mexico. As steward of our four-square mil ...
View BioThis Workshop Is For You If…
What You'll Gain
Reframe Your Aging Narrative
Explore and claim your story with courage and creativity, moving beyond limiting expectations.
Build a Framework for Purposeful Growth
Gain tools and perspectives that support intentional living, leadership, and community engagement.
Envision a Radically Reimagined Future
Use collective imagination and storytelling to expand possibilities for yourself and your community.
Honor Intersecting Identities
Examine the layered wisdom and strategies that have sustained you and your community across generations.
Our Agenda at a Glance
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
4:00 PM: Arrival / Check-In
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation Session
9:00 PM: Free Time
Friday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
Saturday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
6:30 PM: Dinner, Dessert & Graduation
8:00 PM: Evening Gathering
Sunday:
7:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Checkout / Departure
*Please note that not all “classroom time” activities take place in the actual classroom.
*Please note all times are estimates as some activities go longer or shorter depending on the group. This agenda is meant to give you an idea of the general flow of activities.
Step into transformation in the high desert
Rising Circle Ranch | Santa Fe, USA.
Our spectacular Santa Fe campus is located on an upscale regenerative ranch featuring traditional Pueblo architecture and nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails in the arroyo, and awe-inspiring beauty. Close to historic Santa Fe, an artisan’s mecca.
PLUS: Gourmet from-scratch meals, snacks, and drinks featuring locally sourced ingredients, made by our in-house chefs
Explore the Ranch
on Horseback
Our Rising Circle Ranch spans 2,600 acres of New Mexico high desert, offering guided horseback riding for all experience levels through diverse terrains under the vast Southwest sky
You’ll experience highlights like:
Horseback riding is an optional add-on activity you can book once you arrive on the ranch. Whether you’re seasoned or brand new to horseback adventures, this guided experience lets you discover the ranch’s natural wonders alongside our gentle horses.
Your Workshop Also Includes:
Your Lived Experience and Evolving Identity Deserve Recognition
Every Black life carries intersecting identities and layered wisdom shaped by unique historical and cultural contexts. This workshop acknowledges your lived realities while expanding the possibilities for what comes next.
This isn't about conforming to how others define aging. It's an intentional space to explore, reframe, and claim your narrative of aging while Black—through honest dialogue, critical reflection, and collective imagination.
In four days, you'll move from reflection into intentionality. You'll see how the strategies of survival and adaptation that have sustained you can become tools for purposeful growth and lasting impact.
By the end, you'll have:
Your narrative matters. Your contributions matter. It's time to leave your fingerprints on eternity.
Book Your Spot Today
Aging While Black: Leaving Fingerprints on Eternity
Is financial aid for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to all, which is why we offer financial assistance on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
We aim to support individuals facing financial challenges, including but not limited to members of under-represented communities. Our goal is to empower those who may face barriers in pursuing their educational and professional goals. If you're experiencing financial stress that might prevent you from attending our workshops, we encourage you to apply for assistance.
“He’s the leading voice on equity, intergenerational connection and community led change.”
– Ryann Hill, Indigo Hill Strategies founder
“Jetson’s book Aging While Black reframes the stories of Black elders as sources of innovation, intergenerational wisdom, and community power.”
– DrumBeats LA
“As a longtime activist against ageism and champion of intergenerational connection, I found Raymond A. Jetson's new book Aging While Black: A Radical Reimagining of Aging and Race in America nothing short of revelatory—even after having watched his TED Talk and following the Aging While Black movement since its inception."
– Janine Vanderburg
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this different from other workshops on aging?
Most programs on aging focus on decline, vulnerability, or surface-level wellness tips. This experience reframes aging while Black as a season of agency, dignity, and legacy. Guided by Dr. Raymond Jetson, you’ll engage in conversations that are honest about struggle but rooted in possibility, transforming resilience into purpose and presence.
Do I need to identify as Black to attend?
This workshop is centered on the lived realities of aging while Black in America. Black participants will find space that speaks directly to their experiences. Allies who come with humility and openness are welcome and will benefit from learning in a community where Black voices and stories are prioritized.
Do I need previous workshop or speaking experience to benefit?
Not at all. This is not about performance or presentation. It’s about reflection, dialogue, and claiming your next chapter. Whether you’ve been part of many circles before or this is your first immersive experience, the structure will meet you where you are.
What if talking about aging and race feels heavy or uncomfortable?
These conversations are designed to hold both honesty and hope. Dr. Jetson creates a supportive environment where discomfort can lead to breakthroughs. The aim isn’t to dwell in hardship but to transform what you’ve carried into clarity, courage, and contribution.
What will I actually walk away with?
By the end of the three days, you’ll have:
- A reframed personal narrative of aging while Black, rooted in resilience and possibility
- A clear sense of what matters most in your next chapter
- Tools to live your legacy daily rather than postponing it
- Deep connections with peers who will continue to support and challenge you after the workshop
What is included in the investment?
The fee covers three days of deep dive sessions, all workshop materials, three nights of lodging at MEA’s Santa Fe campus, and chef-prepared meals, snacks, and drinks. The only additional costs are your travel to Santa Fe and any personal expenses.
Still deciding or have questions?
Connect with our helpful team of Advisors
Our Advisors are all MEA alumni who can offer genuine insights into our programs. They’re passionate about helping you finding the right fit to make your next chapter the best one.
Daniel Booz
Lucas Erie
Leslie Bartlett