The Magic & Melanin Residency

Hey royalty! We've had so much fun facilitating our two-week immersion experiences that we created an expanded program for a longer adventure in the Motherland.

A 14-week program for creatives and entrepreneurs from the African diaspora that allows you to live locally in West Africa while doing what you love and supporting the community.

Residency Dates: October 17, 2021 - January 16, 2022

Please check back in 2023 for the next application round. Thank you!

Introducing: Magic & Melanin's 2021 - 2022 Residents

MM’s main goal is to provide a creative space for you to deepen and enrich your skills. Use the magic of the Motherland as a catalyst and inspiring space to sustainably do so. You’ll have access to our co-working space and private office to create to your heart’s content.

Offerings

West African Culture Courses
Language, dance, cooking, herbalism, and tailoring are offered (both private and as a group).
MM’s Community Involvement Program
Take part in equity-based initiatives that help fulfill local needs or requests.
Weekly Debriefs
Reflect each Sunday with your fellow housemates on anything the Motherland has inspired within you.
Weekly Show & Tell
MM Residents teach their fellow housemates a new skill, language, idea, etc … an opportunity to network and deepen connections.
Weekend and Week-long Retreats
Explore other West African countries: Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and cities throughout Togo (facilitation by MM Experiences available at an additional cost). Chosen participants can personalize their desired trip experiences based on available travel packages.

Wow! Where does this take place?

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire will be your home base for the first two months of the residency, Residents will live at two MM Residences curated with love by Dossé-Via, the founder of Magic & Melanin. She intends for the MM Bases to be chill spots to let residents’ inspirations run wild and create a masterpiece in the process.

Then for the final six weeks of the MM Residency, residents will discover the urban and remote areas of Ghana, which neighbors Côte d'Ivoire. Transitioning between two West African countries will provide MM residents greater access to discover the wonders of West Africa.

Whether you're writing a book or screenplay, painting a series of artwork, growing your start-up, or simply indulging in a digital detox, we invite you to do so at the MM Residence. As you invest in your craft and cultivate a new reality for yourself, you'll be able to network with fellow creatives and changemakers from around the diaspora and here on the continent.

Perks and Amenities

Private bedroom with a private restroom in MM Residences
2 meals a day: breakfast & lunch/dinner
Access to snacks & water
Wifi included
Ground transportation/shuttle to main locations
Access to living rooms, common work spaces, kitchens, and meeting rooms in MM Residences
Residents can take part in MM’s December ’21 - January ’22 trip, at an additional cost

MM Residency Cost

Payment plans available (calculated based on first deposit)
Example: May - September, $1240 per month

Included:
Cost of your living arrangements, roundtrip flights, ground transportation for pre-selected excursions, two meals per day, internet access, and housing amenities.

Not Included:
Cost of weekend or weekday trips that you can add-on to your package.

Payment plans available (calculated based on first deposit)
Example: May - September, $1040 per month

Included:
Cost of your living arrangements, ground transportation for pre-selected excursions, two meals per day, internet access, and housing amenities.

Not Included:
Cost of roundtrip flight to and from the Motherland.
Cost of weekend or weekday trips that you can add-on to your package.

Magic & Melanin aims to make this residency accessible to humans of the diaspora from all over the world.

We offer custom price packages for participants already living on the African continent who'd like to be a MM Resident. Please specify this in your application and if selected we will reach out to you to discuss a custom package for your residency experience.