As communities in Madison and across Wisconsin grapple with rising economic pressure, political backlash, and an “anti-equity” climate, Black women will be gathering in Madison for a different kind of resistance — one rooted in wellness, joy, and collective power.
The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness will host its 18th annual Black Women’s Wellness Day, themed “Grounded in Wellness, United in Our Fight” on Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center. The event will bring together hundreds of women and girls, along with a few men, for a day of healing, strategy and celebration.
The event will feature keynote messages on faith, justice and joy, along with workshops on maternal health, menopause, mental wellness and generational wealth. The day is designed to support the well-being of Black women while equipping them to confront the challenges facing their communities.
In 2009, it began as a small gathering of about 40 women in a public library; Black Women’s Wellness Day has grown into one of Madison’s most anticipated annual events. There’s nothing else like it.
Lisa Peyton, founder of the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness
“It’s hard to believe that we’re already at the 18th annual Black Women’s Wellness Day — from a small thing to a big thing that has become such an event in our community to bring people together and to re-energize ourselves,” Lisa Peyton, the founder of the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, tells Madison365.
The signature annual event of the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness aims to inform, inspire, and empower Black women of all ages to build, lead, and sustain healthy, wellness-centered lives, families, and communities.
“We chose a theme that really speaks to the moment: “Grounded in Wellness, United in Our Fight.” That theme is so important to us right now, with the national and global circumstances we find ourselves in in this world,” Peyton says. “We have to be grounded in our wellness individually and collectively, and we have to understand what we’re here for — to be united in our fight to protect our health, our communities, our liberties, and our freedoms in an anti-equity, anti-DEI climate. Our community is feeling it.
“We’re doing what we know best, which is pouring into community’s well-being and providing a day that reminds us of our strength — the strength that we have when we pull together and stay focused on pouring into ourselves, our families, and our communities,” she adds.
The lineup of speakers for the event “really speaks to that in a powerful way,” Peyton says.
“We are bringing back the tried-and-true Black Women’s Wellness Day formula, which is information, inspiration and empowerment,” she says. “We built a day that will really infuse that energy into everyone who participates. And, of course, the focal point is always our keynote luncheon.”
This year’s two keynote speakers are Dr. Taisha Caldwell-Harvey, affectionately known as Dr. Tai, a licensed psychologist who uses her work to heal and inspire others, and Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Allen Sr., senior pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
“Our community has gone through a lot this year and is facing significant challenges, including the recent [Madison] police killing of Corey Ruiz. That is happening within the context of a very uncertain national climate that is threatening the stability of our communities,” Peyton says. “We felt it was important to have someone local, like Rev. Allen, speak to what our community is experiencing while also reminding us of our spiritual groundedness and how our faith matters more than ever.”
Dr. Taisha Caldwell-Harvey and Dr. Marcus Allen will be the keynote speakers at the 18th annual Black Women’s Wellness Day on Saturday. (Photos courtesy of the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness)
Rev. Allen’s keynote will be balanced by Caldwell-Harvey, founder of Black Girl Doctor, who will focus on the importance of joy and wellness amid difficult times.
Peyton says the two messages will remind attendees of the challenges facing their communities while grounding them in their “birthright to be well, healthy and rooted in joy.”
“We want to have this powerful conversation about how we stay grounded while confronting social and economic pressures, racial injustice and threats to our progress — and how we resist what harms us and build what we need through our collective voice and strength,” she says.
Over the years, BWWDAY has grown into one of the largest annual health and wellness gatherings by and for Black women, attracting attendees and speakers from across the country and around the world.
“This year is really about strategizing and envisioning the present and the future that we want and deserve, and creating the solutions and an action plan together,” Peyton says.
Black Women’s Wellness Day Wellness Fair and Market (Photo: Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness)
Saturday’s activities will begin with registration, networking and the Wellness Fair and Market from 9 to 11:30 a.m. A special session for women age 60 and older will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
The official program will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a welcome and opening luncheon. The afternoon will once again feature the Wellness Fair and Market, as well as a special session for teen girls ages 13 to 18.
Attendees can choose from a series of concurrent workshops throughout the afternoon. Sessions will cover topics including finding joy and wellness, building wealth and legacy, transforming mental and physical health, menopause, the role of doulas in improving Black birth outcomes, and healing through sensory experiences.
The full lineup of speakers and presenters for the day can be found here.
“Our lineup is a demonstration of our community power and the trust we have built within the community. Black Women’s Wellness Day belongs to the community, speaks to the community and represents our collective ability to speak healing to ourselves and move toward a position of power,” Peyton says.
Peyton created the event to honor her mother, Roberta W. Peyton, who died of heart disease at age 64 on May 22, 2006. She also wanted to inspire a movement among Black women to transform their health and their lives.
Last year’s Black Women’s Wellness Day
(Photo: Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness)
Peyton says the most powerful evidence of the event’s impact comes from the women who return years later and share how it changed their lives.
“When you ask people, ‘What has Black Women’s Wellness Day meant to you?’ the powerful testimonies are about how it positions women to transform their lives — how they leave with courage and energy and a belief that they can tackle whatever challenges they’re facing,” she says.
She adds that it is especially rewarding to see women return five or 10 years later and reflect on how far they have come.
“Their lives have totally changed — building businesses, running for office, starting organizations, taking leaps and bounds forward in all kinds of ways,” Peyton says.
Black Women’s Wellness Day 2026 will conclude with a closing session and circle ceremony from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by raffles and the official end of the event.
“This day is very important, and we believe it will catapult our community to a position of confidence as we continue to navigate the world as it is today,” Peyton says.
Peyton anticipates another strong turnout, emphasizing the importance of organizations working to advance equity and improve health and security.
“Organizations like ours are on the front lines, advancing equity for Black women, but also for all women and community members by working to improve health and security. Being able to do this work is incredibly important to our community.”
As the organization prepares to expand at its new, larger space at 2801 Coho Street and extend its reach, Peyton says community support will be essential.
“We will be calling on the community to support us as we move into a larger, more expanded space, with an opportunity to deepen our work, include more women and invite them to join us on the next leg of our journey,” she says.