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.
Registration closed. Sign up for our newsletter for info on future programs.
Program dates: October 2, 2025 - January 11, 2026
Residency Countries: The West African countries of Togo, Bénin, and Ghana
Magic & Melanin Residency Capstones
Driven by curiosity and built on purpose, this is where bold thinking meets thoughtful execution. Let’s create something meaningful together.
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 home to sustainably do so.
OFFERINGS
West African Culture Courses
Language, dance, cooking, herbalism, and tailoring.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.
Photos by MM '21 - '22 Resident Atoi Spates and MM photographer Juls Tornyi
Perks and Amenities
Private bedroom with a shared restroom at the main residency base in Togo; private bedrooms in Bénin and Ghana
2 meals a day: breakfast & dinner
Access to snacks & water
Wifi included in main residency bases
Ground transportation to locations included in itinerary
Access to living rooms, common work spaces, and kitchens in MM Residences
Package Options
Togo & Bénin:
$6,500
Payment plans:
Option 1: $465 for 14 months
Option 2: $650 for 10 months
Option 3: $812.50 for 8 months
Option 4: $1625 for 4 months
Option 5: Pay in full $6200 (best value)
Togo & Bénin + Ghana:
$8,800
Payment plans:
Option 1: $628.57 for 14 months
Option 2: $880 for 10 months
Option 3: $1100 for 8 months
Option 4: $2200 for 4 months
Option 5: Pay in full $8400 (best value)
INCLUDED:
- roundtrip airfare to Togo (departing from New York JFK Airport)
- housing for 100 days in the motherland
- 2 meals per day: breakfast & dinner
- 3 learning activities per week
- 3 road trip/nature excursions
- ground transportation
- 1 cultural excursion per week
NOT INCLUDED:
- the cost of travel to New York JFK Airport and back
- visa fees for Ghana, Togo, and Bénin (we will assist you in the application process)
- lunches (kitchen available for use in our main residency base)
- additional excursions or transportation not included in the itinerary
Residency Packages
Select your payment plan to start your adventure in the Motherland
Come spend 100 days in the Motherland as part of MM’s 3rd residency cohort from Oct 2025 - Jan 2026.
Registration closes on March 31, 2025.