Rootead

Open Mic Night
2025-08-14 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Join us for Open Mic Night!
Creating space for young adults through the healing art of spoken word. Join us every 2nd Thursday of the month from 7:30–9 PM for Open Mic Night! Whether you’re a seasoned poet, first-time performer, or just want to vibe with the community, all are welcome. Tea and water will be provided. In partnership with RAWK.
August featured artist: JB

🎤 Sign-up to perform at the door
🎟️ Suggested entry donation of $5

This event is for ages 18+.

Baby Café Open Hours
2025-08-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-31 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Announcing our new Kalamazoo Baby Café at Rootead!
Thursdays weekly from 10 AM – 12 PM
Our weekly Kalamazoo Baby Café at Rootead is a new initiative in our community, dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing space for chest- and breastfeeding individuals to access professional assistance free of charge, receive unwavering support, and gain access to invaluable resources essential for the success of their journeys. We understand the significance of supporting individuals and their infants during this crucial stage of life, and our mission is to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered and supported.
The Baby Café is a walk-in parent support group with lactation professionals present to provide support for baby feeding. This free service is available in partnership with Bronson Health Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Date: Weekly on Thursdays
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Rootead Enrichment Center, 505 East Kalamazoo Ave. Suite 0, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Diaper Giveaway @ Baby Café
2025-08-13 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-06 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-30 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-23 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-16 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-09 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-02 11:00 - 13:00 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Diaper Giveaway Every Wednesday!
Diaper giveaway will be every Wednesday from 11 AM -1 PM. Come to the Village Playdates and also get free diapers!
Newborn – 4t/ 5t Pull-ups ~ Limited supply, first come first serve!

Village Playdates are weekly drop-ins with story time and activities to participate in at no cost.
Village Playdates will be every Wednesday from 10 AM – 11:30 AM at the Kalamazoo Baby Café at Rootead.

Breastfeeding Empowerment Event
2025-08-09 13:00 - 15:00 | 612 N. Park Street, 612 N. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Breastfeeding Empowerment Event
Saturday, August 9th from 1 PM – 3 PM
Join us for a day of community, education, and support. We will have free resources, lactation support, a photobooth, giveaways, and more! This event is a safe, welcoming space to be seen, supported, and celebrated in your breastfeeding journey.
Interested in partnering or tabling? Contact Teleshia Parker: teleshia@rootead.org

Date: Saturday, August 9
Time: 1pm-3pm
Location: 612 N. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, at the outside the NACD building

Village Playdate
2025-07-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-16 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Are you and your little(s) looking for a fun place to learn and play that focuses on inclusivity and community? Come join the village!
Village Playdates are weekly drop-ins with story time and activities to participate in at no cost.

Village Playdates will be every Wednesday from 10 AM – 11:30 AM at the Kalamazoo Baby Café at Rootead.

Mocktails and Paint in the Baby Café
2025-07-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Black Maternal Mental Health Week Community Activity: Mocktails and Paint in the Baby Café
Tuesday, July 22nd from 6 PM – 8 PM
Paint canvases and enjoy an array of fruity mocktails! This is a FREE event, registration is required.
REGISTER HERE

Date: Tuesday, July 22
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: Rootead Enrichment Center, 505 East Kalamazoo Ave. Suite 0, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Cost: FREE to attend. Registration is required.

Youth Summer Camp - Session III
2025-07-21 - 2025-07-25 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Rootead Summer Camp is for youth ages 5 – 12. (Must have completed Kindergarten) Youth will learn the fundamentals of West African Drum & Dance, make African inspired crafts, & learn mancala! At the end of each session, the youth will share what they learned at a family showcase!

There will be three sessions this year, and the dates are:

Session 1: Monday, June 23 – Friday, June 27, 9:00am – 4:00pm (SESSION IS FULL)
Session 2: Monday, July 7 – Friday, July 11, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Session 3: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Snacks are provided, but youth will need to bring a cold, packed lunch.
The cost of the summer camp is $200/week per child. Scholarships are available.
Registration closes June 20th.

REGISTER HERE

Mental Health Panel in the Baby Café
2025-07-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Black Maternal Mental Health Week Community Activity: Mental Health Panel in the Baby Café
Saturday, July 19th from 12 PM – 2 PM
Join us for out Mental Health Panel in the Kalamazoo Baby Café at Rootead, featuring local therapists, doulas, and mental healthprofessionals. Let’s talk about Black mental health! This is a FREE event, registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

Date: Saturday, July 19
Time: 12pm-2pm
Location: Rootead Enrichment Center, 505 East Kalamazoo Ave. Suite 0, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Cost: FREE to attend. Registration is required.

Open Mic Night
2025-07-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Join us for Open Mic Night!
Creating space for young adults through the healing art of spoken word. Join us every 2nd Thursday of the month from 7:30–9 PM for Open Mic Night! Whether you’re a seasoned poet, first-time performer, or just want to vibe with the community, all are welcome. Tea and water will be provided. In partnership with RAWK.

🎤 Sign-up to perform at the door
🎟️ $5 entry or $2 with student ID

This event is for ages 18+.

Blossom Babies Workshop: Perinatal + Postpartum Mood Disorder
2025-07-10 17:30 - 19:30 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Announcing Blossom Babies Workshop at Rootead!
Blossom Babies are supportive, educational workshops that prepare expecting and new parents for childbirth and early parenthood.
Participants will gain essential knowledge, practical skills, and emotional support in a welcoming environment. Topics include labor and delivery preparation, coping techniques, postpartum wellness, recognizing and addressing mood changes, and successful breastfeeding strategies. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or looking for a refresher, Blossom Babies offers expert guidance and compassionate care every step of the way.
The workshop includes a 4-course series:

Breastfeeding Basics: Friday, June 20th @ 5:30

Learn the essentials of breastfeeding in this supportive, evidence-based class designed for new and expecting parents. Led by a certified lactation educator, this course covers everything you need to know to feel confident and prepared for your breastfeeding journey.

Childbirth Education – Part I: Thursday, June 26th @ 5:30
Childbirth Education – Part II: Friday, June 27th @ 5:30

Our childbirth education class is a comprehensive, evidence-based program designed to prepare expecting parents for labor, birth and early postpartum period. Taught by experienced and certified educators and doulas, the class emphasizes informed decision making, self-advocacy and culturally responsive care. Participants learn about the stages of labor, birth planning, medical interventions, newborn care, postpartum recovery and more. Classes are in person.

Perinatal & Postpartum Mood Disorder: Thursday, July 10th @ 5:30

REGISTER HERE

Cost:

Clients of our organization: Free of charge
Community members: $25 per class ($60 for the bundle)

Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM on dates listed
Location: Kalamazoo Baby Café at Rootead Enrichment Center, 505 East Kalamazoo Ave. Suite 0, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Youth Summer Camp - Session II
2025-07-07 - 2025-07-11 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007

CLOSED for Independence Day Break
2025-07-03 - 2025-07-05 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Rootead Enrichment Center will be closed for Independence Day Break from Thursday, July 3rd – Saturday, July 5th. We will resume regular hours on Tuesday, July 8th.
Programming will be temporarily paused during this period. Kalamazoo Baby Café at Rootead will not be running during this period on July 3rd.

Blossom Babies Workshop: Childbirth Education - Part II
2025-06-27 17:30 - 19:30 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007

Blossom Babies Workshop: Childbirth Education - Part I
2025-06-26 17:30 - 19:30 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
