Exploring History and Healing: A Transformative Retreat for the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Special Gathering recently curated a transformative retreat in Montgomery, Alabama, for the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust staff, Trustee, and Advisory Council. The immersive experience centered around the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy Sites, providing a safe, reflective space for the North Carolina-based team to explore difficult histories. 

To ensure the group felt fully supported while engaging in this profound work, our team managed every logistical, safety, and care detail, including:

Special Gathering deeply values our shared pursuit of justice with the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust (the Trust) during their time in Montgomery.

We are thrilled to share our Q&A with Trust President Dr. Laura Gerald and Special Assistant to the President Erin Yates. Their unwavering commitment to equity is driving healthier, more resilient communities across North Carolina. Under their leadership, the Trust continues to forge innovative partnerships that address pressing challenges and create lasting change for the communities they serve.  

1. What were the primary reasons you decided to hire a professional event planning firm? 

Dr. Laura Gerald:  Special Gathering came highly recommended. Having served on the Grantmakers in Health board for seven years, I was already familiar with their work. A colleague from the Horizon Foundation, Nikki Highsmith Vernick, specifically mentioned that Special Gathering had flawlessly coordinated their full board’s trip to the Montgomery Legacy Sites. When it came time to plan our annual Advisory Council retreat, they immediately came to mind.

Erin Yates: When Dr. Gerald first proposed this trip, I knew it would be a massive undertaking. Our group had never traveled outside of the North Carolina Triad for a retreat. We were highly concerned about logistics and whether people would actually attend. However, after speaking with the Horizon Foundation—who emphasized that they literally could not have pulled off their trip without Dani—our anxieties vanished. Though we had planned to interview other planners, we felt completely confident after our initial conversations with Special Gathering. 

2. What specific highlights or moments from the 2026 Advisory Council Retreat in Montgomery stood out to you the most in your partnership with Special Gathering?  

Dr. Laura Gerald: Having Bryan Stevenson join us through Special Gathering was instrumental in shaping our strategic direction. His insights on truth-telling and narrative change have profoundly influenced our work as a health improvement foundation. 

The retreat provided a much-needed, unexpected sense of hope during challenging times. Special Gathering meticulously planned the itinerary, ensuring we had time to emotionally process the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Sites without feeling overwhelmed. Whenever the emotional weight of the sites peaked, they seamlessly transitioned us into regrouping and replenishment activities. 

I was deeply moved by how intentionally they cared for our well-being through breathing and grounding exercises. One of our staff members perfectly captured the impact, noting:

"There is no other setting in which I would have felt safe going through this, but I felt safe going through this with the Trust and Special Gathering."

Erin Yates: From the perspective of the person who usually plans a lot of the details, this retreat allowed me to truly be a participant rather than worrying about all the behind -the-scenes activities. At every retreat I attend, I find myself participating while also thinking about things like ‘Why isn’t the water here yet?’ or ‘This person is speaking for too long.’ My colleague, Veronica, and I discussed this, and we both felt that we could genuinely participate as attendees. I know things didn’t go exactly as planned, but Special Gathering handled everything with such professionalism and a positive attitude.

Dr. Laura Gerald: One of the things that impressed me most was how kind the staff at the Elevation Hotel was.

That kindness truly enhanced the whole experience for us.

We try not to do things without connecting with people, and that was certainly true of everyone at the Elevation Hotel - from the staff providing us with food and nourishment to the bus drivers. Their kindness was so significant and shouldn’t be overlooked.

It meant a lot to us to feel cared for and to participate fully without worrying about the details, even though those details are very important to us. This speaks volumes about Special Gathering’s skill set. Overall, that made a significant impact, and we truly appreciate it. 

3. What is the single most effective strategy you would recommend to other organizations looking to create a meaningful impact on their team culture? Additionally, how did the choice of Montgomery, Alabama, as your retreat location enhance that impact?

Dr. Laura Gerald: The essence of our team culture is that we are purpose-driven at our core. Our mission is to improve the quality of life and health for our community in Forsyth County and across North Carolina. It’s remarkable that, despite our local dedication, we traveled to Montgomery with our Advisory Council, which guides our strategic direction alongside our full staff and Trustees. Not only did we have our main Trustee representative, but our investment advisor also joined us, illustrating their commitment to understanding how we can maximize our impact. 

During this challenging time–marked by nonprofit staff burnout, federal and state funding cuts, and increased demand for philanthropic support–it was crucial for us to ground ourselves in our history. Understanding the roots of our mission helps us focus on healing systems rather than just fixing individuals. We must engage meaningfully with our past to avoid making misguided choices.

The experience in Montgomery helped clarify this connection by vividly highlighting the systemic inequities we face today. One Advisory Council member noted how clearly the historical narrative was presented and how it illuminated our current challenges, particularly for marginalized communities. Our trip to the Legacy Sites was essential in reinforcing our strategy, which is deeply rooted in history and honesty.

What stood out about our team culture was the importance of experiencing this together.

From traveling to the airport, sharing flights, riding buses, and engaging in meaningful discussions at museums and parks, every moment contributed to an impactful team dynamic.

The shared experience fostered a collective sense of purpose. Many expressed feeling inspired and called to action upon returning.

The discussions we’ve had since then have been vibrant, reflecting both the tangible and intangible benefits of this journey. This trip has invigorated our team spirit and strengthened our commitment to our mission.

Erin Yates: One thing we didn’t realize we needed was those informal times to connect. As Dr. Gerald mentioned, we had never taken a plane ride or bus trip together before. I think Special Gathering’s command and control of the agenda - deciding where we were going and what we were doing - really facilitated that connection.

I can’t imagine having done this with any group other than Special Gathering.