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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
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.
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.
Suites & Interiors
Community & Spa
Botanical Gardens
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African Wellness Cuisine
Choose Your Founding Experience
FOUNDING SUPPORTER
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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.
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
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.
Contact
Washington, DC Metro
AFYA® is a federally registered
trademark in the United States.