Now Forming · Inaugural Season · 2026
A Journey Through Grief
The Year of Firsts Sisterhood Circle
A safe circle for widows navigating the firsts — together.
About the Circle
You Don't Have to Navigate
the Firsts Alone
On May 7, 2024, V.B. Danzy lost her husband of 15½ years — suddenly, on an ordinary Tuesday. In the beginning, she was not writing a book - she was simply trying to survive. Recording voice notes in her car, videotaping herself on the hard days, writing in her journal, and sharing her journey on social media became habit. Doing whatever she needed to get through each first, each milestone, each ordinary Tuesday without him, without completely falling apart, was the focus.
Over time, all of that became A Journey Through Grief: The Year of Firsts. Now she is opening a small, intimate circle for women navigating loss — whether you are in your first year, your second, or beyond. You will say their name. You will be heard.
✦ 3 Seasons
✦ 12 Sessions Total
✦ 60 Minutes Each
✦ Every Two Weeks
✦ Small Group via Zoom
✦ All Years Welcome
Each built around 4 chapters of the book — love and laughter, presence and music, healing and hope
One chapter at a time, one conversation at a time — no rushing, no pressure
Intimate enough to go deep, short enough to honor your energy
Time between sessions to reflect, write, and return with more to share
Intimate circle of YOF Sisters so every voice is truly heard (locally we can possibly meet for some sessions in person)
Whether you are newly widowed or years into your journey, there is a place for you here
HOW THIS WORKS
session schedule
🗓 Sessions are held via Zoom — bi-weekly · 60 minutes each
We are currently forming our inaugural cohort.
✦ Thursdays at 7:00 PM Central Time (8:00 PM ET · 5:00 PM PT) or
Our inaugural season begins Thursday June 4, 2026 and runs through November 5, 2026.
Select your preferred session tier when you register below.
✦Drop-in sessions available from June 18 onward.
Opening sessions are reserved for season and Founding Member registrants.
What You Will Experience
— A safe, confidential space
— You say their name
— V.B. Danzy shares
— Intimate group sharing
— Chapter activities
— Two weeks between sessions
— All years of grief welcome
— No rushing, no pressure
what is shared in the circle, stays in the circle
your late spouse/partner is welcome here, always
her story opens every session, giving you permission to go there too
every voice is heard, no one gets lost in a crowd
Self recording, the Laughter Box, the Storytelling Journal, music moments, and more
time to reflect, write, and return with more to share
year one, year two, year three and beyond are all welcome
there is a place for you here
grief takes time, and this circle honors that
The book is the heart of the circle. Every YOF Sister is required to have a copy of A Journey Through Grief: The Year of Firsts by V.B. Danzy. Upon registration you will receive a free PDF immediately so you can begin right away while you wait for your book to ship. If you just want the book for a "drop in" session, you may click the following book link.
the book
JOIN the Circle
Choose Your Place in the Sisterhood
the Firsts Alone
Every registration includes a free PDF of the book delivered immediately. The circle is open to women who have lost their spouse or life partner — any year of grief welcome.
The Value Ladder — Per Session Cost
Drop-In
Single Season
★ Founding Member — Best Value
$35.00 per session
$18.75 per session
$12.50 per session
Option 3 · Inaugural Only
Founding Member
Complete Journey
$150
Best Value - $12.50 per session
-
All 3 seasons
-
12 sessions (bi-weekly)
-
6 months
-
-
Free PDF + signed book copy to ship
-
Name honored as Founding Member
-
Group music playlist
-
Priority enrollment · Season 2+
-
Price retires forever after the inaugural cohort. Limited/Intimate group
Chicagoland area? An in-person option may be available depending on interest. Contact V.B. Danzy for details.
OUR CIRCLE GUIDELINES
What Every YOF Sister Agrees to...
What You Will Experience
-
What is shared in this circle, stays in this circle
-
We say their names
-
No advice-giving, no fixing
-
You may always pass
-
There is no "should" here
-
Tears are welcome. Laughter is welcome.
— confidentiality is the foundation of everything here
— your spouse or partner is welcome in this space, always
— when someone shares, we listen. We do not redirect or compare.
— sharing is an invitation, never a requirement
— your grief looks exactly the way it looks. That is allowed.
— Both can live in the same breath here.
"A widow wants to talk about her husband. She wants to share stories. She wants to listen. We find strength in each other."
— V.B. Danzy · A Journey Through Grief: The Year of Firsts
Sisterhood Circle