KALAMAZOO, MI (January 10, 2024)––Rootead Enrichment Center is welcoming Kalamazoo-area residents to an open house on Friday, January 26 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at their studio, located at 505 E. Kalamazoo Avenue, Suite 3 in Kalamazoo.
The purpose of the event is to encourage more people to learn about the mission of the organization and its programs and services. “We want the community to feel the Rootead vibes in real time!” said Rootead’s founder and Executive Director Kama Mitchell.
Rootead started as a dream project for Mitchell. She envisioned a place for people of all backgrounds, especially people of color, to come as they are, build community, connect with their African roots, and feel liberated. Rootead’s vision, “reclaiming the village,” has been the motivation for the work of the organization since its inception in 2013.
“We all need to heal from something, being a human is hard work! We all need a support system. Ultra-independence is the biggest burden to our American culture,” said Mitchell.
Today, the nonprofit is working toward that vision by offering programs and services under their three branches which are centered around the needs of Black and brown communities: Birth Justice, Youth Enrichment, and Community Healing.
All programs are delivered through a decolonized, trauma-informed lens, inspired by the African diaspora, and open to everyone. Rootead offers doula services, community playdates, youth drum and dance, community yoga, and more.
“The programs we offer help people heal from tough times, and our community has gone through some very tough times,” said Birth Justice Director, Vanessa Moon. “Anyone, [age] 0-100 would benefit from our offerings because we are responsive to our community.”
All branches will be represented at the Open House and community members can learn about the branches and programs from Rootead staff, Rootead-trained doulas, and therapists from the Black and Brown Therapy Collective, a Community Healing program in collaboration with Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT).
Community members will have the opportunity to learn more about Rootead, participate in mini classes, get to know staff, tour the space, and more. Attendees can also enter to win a Black History Month gift basket.
Mitchell’s goal for Rootead in 2024 is to continue to offer the community “transformational healing and easy access to it” through its programs and services.
Community members can discover all that Rootead has to offer at the Open House on Friday, January 26 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. More information is available at https://rootead.org/.
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Rootead is a nonprofit organization that centers the lived experiences of BIPOC by providing connection and support through birth justice, youth empowerment, and community healing.
