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The first destination-grade
African wellness resort
in America.

The community

1.5M+

Black & African American residents in the DMV

U.S. Census Bureau ACS · DC-VA-MD-WV Metro

The market

$9.4B

Black American annual beauty spending

NielsenIQ · 2023

The gap

0

Destination African wellness resorts in America

Observable market fact

The scarcity

535

Total founding supporter spots available

 Phase I Campaign

The goal

$250K

Phase I Campaign Goal

 Phase I Capital Plan

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Our Story

Where African
healing 
belongs.

“We have spent our career in hospitality and wellness,And we have never seen a destination resort truly built for us — rooted in who we are, where we  originally come from, Africa.”

- The founders.
Anchor 1

The Philosophy

A·FYA
ä — fyä

AFYA traces back to the Arabic word "afiyah" )عافية Meaning health, vitality, and wholeness, later carried into Swahili through centuries of East African trade and cultural exchange.

Today, that legacy returns in a new form: a destination-grade, African-rooted wellness resort, bringing a deeply cultural and holistic approach to well-being to the DMV.

1

Ancient Roots

African healing traditions predate Western medicine by millennia. Hydrotherapy, plant medicine, movement rituals, communal healing  AFYA gives them a world-class home.

2

World-Class Resort

24 suites. Full spa complex. Hydrotherapy circuit. Botanical gardens. African wellness cuisine. Cultural programming. A destination resort, not a retreat center.

3

Community Anchored

Community Anchored  Built by and for the African diaspora of the DMV. A cultural home, an economic engine, a legacy for the community.

The Experience

Feel it
before you arrive.

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Suites & Interiors

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Community & Spa

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Botanical Gardens

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African Wellness Cuisine

Choose Your Founding Experience

FOUNDING SUPPORTER

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$99

MZIZI

  • Digital Founding Certificate

A commemorative piece marking your place in AFYA's origin story

  • AFYA Founding Wall

Your name permanently displayed at the resort

  • Early Access Newsletter

First to know updates, news & behind-the-scenes

  • Priority Opening Invitation

Exclusive first access when AFYA opens its doors

mzi-zi Swahili You are the foundation everything grows from.

THE HEALING

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$250

UPONYAJI

  • AII MZIZI Benefits

Certificate, Founding Wall, newsletter, opening invitation

  • 60-Min Signature Treatment

African botanical healing session at the resort

  • Founding Rate Locked for Life

Your supporter rate honored on every future visit

  • Redeemable Upon Opening

Your experience waits when AFYA opens its doors

you-po-nya-ji Swahili The first step into the ritual of restoration.

THE ORIGIN

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$500

ASILI

  • AII UPONYAJI Benefits

Treatment, founding rate, certificate, Founding Wall

  • Full-Day AFYA Founding Experience

A complete curated day at the resort

  • 90-Min Ancestral Ritual Treatment

Deep African healing rooted in tradition

  • Pan-African Welcome Lunch

A curated culinary journey through the continent

  • AFYA Botanical Gift Box

Take home a piece of the AFYA experience

a-si-li Swahili Connected to nature, ancestry, and where it all begins.

THE BLESSED

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$1,000

BARAKA

  • All ASILI Benefits

Full-day experience, ritual treatment, lunch, gift box

  • Overnight Stay for Two

One night at AFYA resort, including breakfast

  • Couples Ritual Treatment

Couples Ritual Treatment

  • Exclusive Founding Members Dinner

A private event with fellow founding supporters

  • Early Check-In Priority

First access to rooms on opening weekend

bara-ka Swahili/Arabic A life touched by grace, abundance, and sacred rest.

I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

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$2,500

UBUNTU

  • AII BARAKA Benefits

Overnight stay, couples treatment, founding dinner

  • 3-Night Resort Stay for Two

Three nights of full immersion at AFYA

  • Private Wellness Consultation

Personal session to design your healing journey

  • Patron Wall Engraving

Your name permanently engraved at the resort

  • Lifetime 20% Discount

On all future stays and treatments, forever

u-bun-tu. Zulu / Nguni Your presence makes AFYA whole.

GO BACK AND FETCH IT

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$5,000

SANKOFA

  • AII UBUNTU Benefits

3-night stay, patron wall, consultation, 20% discount

  • 5-Night All-Inclusive Stay for Two

The ultimate founding experience

  • Personalized Wellness Program

Designed personally by Simone & Yene for you

  • Private Dinner with the Founders

An intimate evening with Simone and Yene

  • Legacy Hall Feature

Your name & story permanently enshrined at AFYA

san-ko-fa Akan/Twi The one who carries the past forward to build the future.

The Team

Built by people
who've done it.

Simone Lipari

Founder & Managing Partner

Hospitality and wellness executive with multi-market operating experience across the U.S. and Africa. Track record building and operating award-recognized premium wellness brands.

EMBA — Global Hospitality Management,Les Roches

Multi-market operator, US & Africa

  • LinkedIn

Yene Damtew

Co-Founder & Strategy Partner

​Founder of the #1 textured hair salon in the DMV. ULTA Muse 100 recipient 2021. Brand strategist with direct access to the aligned wellness and beauty audiences AFYA will serve. Personal hairstylist to the Obama family.

ULTA Muse 100 · 2021

Founder, #1 textured hair salon in DMV​

 
  • LinkedIn

FAQ

Questions,
answered.

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The resort America
has been waiting for.

“AFYA® is a registered trademark of AFYA Resorts LLC.
This is not a securities offering. Contributions made through this campaign are not equity investments and are non-refundable.
AFYA Resorts LLC is a pre-development project.”Perks are fulfilled upon resort opening.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Select Your Interest.

Contact

hello@afyaresort.com

Washington, DC Metro

AFYA® is a federally registered
trademark in the United States.

© 2026 AFYA Resorts. All rights reserved. AFYA® is a registered trademark.

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