The Black Man’s Self Mastery Retreat is a six-day, five-night immersive experience for Black men committed to growth, reflection, and community.

Each retreat is intentionally limited to a small circle of men in order to preserve the depth of conversation, trust, and brotherhood that define the experience.

Held in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, between the Caribbean Sea and the Mayan jungle, the retreat creates space for men to step away from the pace of daily life and enter an environment designed for clarity, honest dialogue, and disciplined self-examination.

Grounded in the Seven Keys to Self Mastery, the experience unfolds over six days in a deliberate progression. Men arrive as individuals and quickly begin the work of reflection and conversation. As the days unfold, dialogue deepens, perspectives shift, and the circle becomes a space where men challenge one another, support one another, and strengthen their commitment to intentional living.

Throughout the week, structured conversations are balanced with shared experiences — including movement, breathwork, meditation, nature excursions, cenote visits, time at the Caribbean Sea, and ceremonies designed to mark moments of reflection and transition.

Men arrive from different walks of life, yet what they share is a serious commitment to growth and a recognition that the next level of life requires deeper alignment with purpose.

Over the course of the retreat, what emerges is brotherhood — a circle of men willing to speak honestly, listen carefully, and hold one another to a higher standard of awareness, accountability, and self mastery.

The retreat has received national recognition for its design and impact. In the May/June 2025 edition of ESSENCE Magazine, the Black Man’s Self Mastery Retreat was featured in The Great Escape as one of six wellness experiences helping Black men reclaim their wholeness and was honored as a Best in Travel 2025 award winner.

The experience has also been acknowledged by The Quintessential Gentleman, a publication dedicated to the lives, leadership, and development of Black men.

Participants consistently describe the experience as one where they feel seen, respected, challenged, and deeply connected to other men committed to growth and accountability.

Men leave with greater clarity, renewed energy, and practical insights they continue applying long after returning home. Just as important, they leave connected to a circle of brothers who remain in relationship beyond the retreat itself.

Participation is intentionally limited in order to preserve the depth and integrity of the experience.

When the circle fills, registration closes.

Participant feedback from the February Black Man's Self Mastery Retreat.

“Dr. G and Omar, this was an amazing experience and I am truly thankful for having this opportunity.”

“Being in a space where men could speak honestly without judgment was powerful.”

“The brotherhood and the conversations were the most meaningful parts of the experience.”

“This retreat gave me the space to slow down, reflect, and have honest conversations with other men.”

“This was a life-changing experience.”

By the Numbers

Seven of the nine participants from the February retreat completed the post-retreat evaluation.

100% said the retreat met or exceeded their expectations.

100% rated the overall experience 4 or 5 out of 5.

Participants most often identified the following as the most impactful parts of the retreat:

• Brotherhood and connection with other men
• Mindful mornings and meditation practices
• Self Mastery conversations and workshops
• Informal conversations and reflection time

Participants also reported that they felt safe, respected, and supported throughout the retreat, allowing for honest dialogue and meaningful reflection.

One insight from the evaluation stood out clearly: the most impactful parts of the retreat were not the excursions or activities, but the space created for conversation, reflection, and brotherhood.

The men who come to this retreat come from many different walks of life.

Over the years we have welcomed men ranging in age from 19 to 76. Some are fathers. Some are single. Some are married or divorced. Some are entrepreneurs, blue-collar workers, creatives, professionals, students, retirees, executives, mechanics, writers, coaches, and community leaders.

They come from different cities, backgrounds, and financial circumstances. Some are well established in their careers. Others are still finding their way.

What they share is not a profession, a status, or a stage of life.

What they share is a quiet recognition that life is asking something more of them.

For some men, that question shows up as a search for purpose. For others, it is a desire to grow, to reflect, or to strengthen the way they move through the world.

What brings them together is a willingness to pause, to look honestly at their lives, and to step more fully into the practice of self mastery.

Founded by seasoned facilitators and practitioners Omar Buckner and Dr. Gerald Hassell, Self Mastery Retreats International designs intentional spaces where people can step away from the demands of daily life and engage in meaningful reflection, personal growth, and community building.

While the organization hosts a variety of retreats and experiences, this particular gathering is intentionally created for Black men.

Our work is grounded in a simple belief: intentional environments matter. When people are given the opportunity to pause, reflect, and engage in honest dialogue, new perspectives often emerge and genuine community begins to take shape.

Each retreat is guided by the Seven Keys to Self Mastery — awareness, acceptance, action, assessment, integration, celebration, and self mastery. These principles support participants as they move from reflection toward more intentional living and the ongoing practice of self mastery.

Self Mastery Retreats International brings together years of experience in facilitation, leadership development, coaching, and community work. The goal is not simply to host retreats, but to create thoughtful environments where reflection, connection, and community can grow.

Omar Buckner

Omar Buckner is the co-founder of Self Mastery Retreats International and the architect behind many of the retreat experiences. His work centers on community building and the creation of intentional environments where people can pause, reflect honestly, and reconnect with what matters most in their lives.

Before launching these retreats, Omar spent many years working in Black and Brown communities, developing initiatives focused on youth development, leadership, and strengthening community connections. That experience continues to shape the way he approaches this work today.

In his facilitation, Omar is particularly attentive to creating spaces where everyone is seen, heard, and respected, allowing meaningful conversation and reflection to emerge.

Gerald Hassell, Psy.D. (Dr. G)

Dr. Gerald Hassell—known to many as Dr. G—is a co-founder of Self Mastery Retreats International, the creator of the Seven Keys to Self Mastery, and a true practitioner of the work he teaches.

A psychologist, author, and longtime advocate for Black men and Black fathers, Dr. G has spent more than twenty-five years helping individuals examine their lives with honesty and intention.

He is the author of The Impact of Father Absence on African American Boys and The Seven Keys to Self Mastery, the book that introduces the framework guiding the retreat experience.

Through his writing, therapeutic work, and facilitation, Dr. G continues to challenge and support individuals in the ongoing practice of self mastery.

Named after Afro-Mexican independence leader José María Morelos, Puerto Morelos is a charming, authentic beach town and fishing village nestled between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. Just 15 minutes south of Cancún International Airport, it offers a peaceful alternative to the busier resort towns of the Riviera Maya.

With its off-the-radar beaches, vibrant coral reef, and laid-back coastal vibe, Puerto Morelos is often described as the Yucatán Peninsula’s hidden gem. Visitors are welcomed by warm locals, fresh seafood, and a rhythm of life that invites you to slow down and stay awhile.

Unlike the heavily touristed areas nearby, Puerto Morelos retains its small-town feel—and is widely considered one of the safest places in the region. Most visitors report feeling safe and at ease, day or night, making it a perfect home for transformative travel and retreat experiences.

Born from a vision to create a harmonious space that resonates with the rhythms of the Earth, Lunita isn’t simply built on the land—it is crafted with heart and soul, rooted in a deep commitment to Pachamama, the nurturing spirit of Mother Earth. It offers more than just beauty; it offers belonging.

Their core values reflect a profound respect for the natural world, offering a sanctuary that stands in quiet contrast to the noise and pace of city life. At Lunita, nature is not just scenery—it is teacher, healer, and guide. This sacred space restores the spirit and invites deep connection, making it an ideal home for retreats grounded in love, truth, and transformation.

Every experience at Lunita is infused with the essence of local culture, honoring the vibrant heritage and the people who have cared for this land across generations. It is a place where ancient wisdom and modern consciousness meet—where visitors are invited to slow down, listen, and remember.

We are honored to call Lunita JungleExperience a true partner in every sense—and we are excited to be returning to this sacred ground to continue the work of healing, growth, and liberation.

Arrival & Check-In

Light Welcome Snack

Opening Circle & Orientation

Introduction Activity

Taco Night on Property

Evening Fire Circle

Mindful Morning (Movement, Meditation & Breathwork)

Breakfast

The First Key: Awareness

The Second Key: Acceptance

Lunch

Cenote Experience

Dinner

Evening Fire Circle

Mindful Morning (Movement, Meditation & Breathwork)

Breakfast

Time to Write: Journaling Activity

Rolling Massage / Acupuncture Sessions

Lunch

Open Reflection / Journaling / Quiet Time

The Third Key: Action

Rooftop Dinner at La Sirena

Mindful Morning (Movement, Meditation & Breathwork)

Breakfast

The Fourth Key: Assessment

Lunch

Beach Day

Dinner

Evening Fire Circle

Mindful Morning (Movement, Meditation & Breathwork)

Breakfast

The Fifth Key: Integration

The Sixth Key: Celebration

Lunch

Sound Bowl Ceremony

Dinner

The Seventh Key: Self Mastery

Final Circle

Gentle Mindful Morning (Meditation & Reflection)

Light Breakfast

Hug Ceremony

Tree Planting Ceremony

Closing Words

Check-Out