Rootead

Baby Café Open Hours
2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-25 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-02 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | 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

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

Diaper Giveaway @ Baby Café
2025-08-13 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-20 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-10 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-17 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-24 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-10-01 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.

Open Mic Night
2025-08-14 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.
August featured artist: JB

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

This event is for ages 18+.

CLOSED for Rootead Retreat
2025-08-15 - 2025-08-16 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Rootead Enrichment Center will be closed for our Rootead Retreat from Friday, August 15th – Saturday, August 16th. We will resume regular hours on Tuesday, August 19th.
Programming will be temporarily paused during this period.

CLOSED for Annual Rest and Reset
2025-08-23 - 2025-09-08 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Rootead Enrichment Center will be closed as we rest & reset from Saturday, August 23rd – Monday, September 8th.
Programming will be temporarily paused during this period. Kalamazoo Baby Café at Rootead will not be running during this period on August 28th or September 4th.

Doulas + Donuts
2025-09-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Doulas & Donuts
Saturday, September 6th from 11 AM- 1 PM
Doulas & Donuts is your chance to mingle with fellow birth workers, share experiences, and build relationships in a relaxed, welcoming space, complete with fresh donuts and coffee. During this gathering, you’ll also learn about Rootead’s upcoming trainings for doulas, including skill-building workshops, continuing education opportunities, and programs designed to deepen your impact in the families you serve. Whether you’re a seasoned doula, just starting out, or curious about expanding your services, this is the perfect place to connect, learn, and grow.

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 11 AM – 1 PM
Location: Kalamazoo Baby Café at Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 0, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Village Playdate
2025-09-10 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-17 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-24 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-10-01 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-10-08 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.

Open Mic Night
2025-09-11 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
🎟️ Suggested entry donation of $5

This event is for ages 18+.

Community Based Doula Training
2025-09-13 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Announcing Community Based Doula Training Fall 2025 Cohort!
Now accepting applications — application deadline is July 31st.
FOR FULL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

Perinatal Loss Training for Doulas
2025-09-20 10:00 - 16:00 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Perinatal Loss Training for Doulas
Saturday, September 20th from 10 AM- 4 PM
Supporting families through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss requires deep compassion, sensitivity, and specialized skills. This training prepares doulas to walk alongside grieving families with presence, respect, and emotional safety—while honoring each family’s unique experience. Presented by Tides of Life Doula & Perinatal Bereavement Services LLC.
You’ll walk away from the training with tools to:

Understand the different types of perinatal loss and the physical aspects of each
Explore the emotional impact of grief on individuals and families
Communicate with compassion while reducing the risk of added harm
Offer practical support in both hospital and home settings — before, during, and after a loss
Facilitate memory making, legacy building, and ways families can honor their baby
Support clients through pregnancy after loss, holding space for both hope and fear

Created and led by an experienced bereavement educator and birth worker, this in-person session is grounded in both lived experience and clinical insight.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Your registration includes:

Full-day, in-person training
Nourishing lunch and light refreshments
Gentle 30-minute yoga session (optional)
Downloadable guides and checklists
Certificate of completion
Community connection with like-hearted professionals

REGISTER HERE: Perinatal Loss Training for Doulas at Rootead

Date: Saturday, September 20th
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM
Cost: $279
Location: Rootead Enrichment Center, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

RYDDE Auditions
2025-09-25 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-09-26 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-09-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Audition for RYDDE (Rootead Youth Drum & Dance Ensemble)
RYDDE is a non-competitive, pre-professional youth & dance company for middle and high school aged youth. They perform in the wider Kalamazoo area, training in the arts of the Black diaspora. RYDEE is open to ages 13-18.
RYDDE seasons align with the KPS school calendar, and the youth meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 PM at Rootead’s Studio. Transportation is available for youth who live within the Greater Kalamazoo area.
Registration for auditions is required.

RYDDE Auditions will be September 25th-27th at Rootead’s Studio with a breakdown of the audition dates/times below:

Dancer Auditions: Thursday, September 25th, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Drummer & Dancer Auditions: Friday, September 26th, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Dancer Auditions: Saturday, September 27th, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

REGISTER HERE

Where: 505 East Kalamazoo Ave., Suite 3, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
When: Thursday, September 25th-Saturday, September 27th

Learn more about RYDDE here.

Cardio Kickboxing
2025-10-07 18:15 - 19:00 | Rootead, 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Suite 3, Kalamazoo, 49007
Join us for Cardio Kickboxing!
Cardio Kickboxing is a high-energy class that blends cardiovascular exercise with strength training and mixed martial arts-inspired moves for a full-body workout. Designed for all fitness levels, this class improves endurance, builds strength, and boosts coordination in an empowering environment.
We will be offering Cardio Kickboxing Fall Session beginning Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 at 6:15PM. Registration is required.
This is a 6-week session class that requires pre-registration for the entire 6 weeks.
Dates are:

Tuesday, October 7
Tuesday, October 14
Tuesday, October 21
Tuesday, October 28
Tuesday, November4
Tuesday, November 11

$100/6 weeks. Scholarships are available but limited. This is an 18+ class. Bundle with our Hip-Hop Kettlebell Series for just $150 for both classes!
REGISTER HERE

What: Cardio Kickboxing Fall Session
When: Tuesdays at 6:15PM, beginning October 7, 2025
Where: Rootead Studio 505 E. Kalamazoo Ave. 49007
Wh0: All adults 18+ and all abilities are welcome
Facilitated by Rootead Staff
