Rootead’s seeds were planted when Kama Tai Mitchell, Founder of Rootead and Executive Director, generated events for women of color that centered around communal connections and tea. Kama has been sharing her knowledge of African Diaspora arts, the philosophy of yoga, and birth work to the wider Kalamazoo community for over a decade. The catalyst for Rootead was prompted by the economically disadvantaged, predominantly Black and brown communities, Black infant mortality rates, as well as the need to unlock cultural heritage. Kama identified a need within the demographics of Kalamazoo’s BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People Of Color) and LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more) community for safe healing spaces for liberating practices. Through identifying the marginalized groups that faced constant hardship and neglect within Kalamazoo, Rootead was born with the foundations of birthing justice and body awareness.

It became clear that Kalamazoo was hungry for more cultural enhancement activities to embrace human differences and world views. ​​In 2015, Rootead Enrichment Center was determined by the IRS as a 501(c)3, with a quest to provide a safe space for all people to gain empowerment, body awareness, confidence, and cultivate positivity - primarily centering BIPOC women, youth and LGBTQIA+ folks. Rootead uses a global worldview philosophy in relation to our programming and teachings from modern science to traditional knowledge. Where intersection of our philosophies lie, a commitment to evolve with the community, intergenerational engagement, transformative justice and trauma-informed practices led us to a simple, yet radical mission.In order to disrupt systems and structures of oppression created by colonization, the paradigm of surviving must shift into thriving.

We need spaces that reduce stress and invite healing. As an organization, our goal is to draw awareness to the narratives held internally (within the body) but expressed externally across the greater Kalamazoo community. We deliver our services through a decolonized, decentralized, trauma-informed, and indigenized lens that reflects the unique multicultural heritage and experiences of our population.Nothing for us, without us. None of us are free if we all aren’t. In order to thrive, every person must have complete access to resources that mitigate the generational effects of racism, centralization, and poverty. Rootead exists to offer services of healing, restoration, education, and resilience. This is and will continue to be the driving force behind our work every single day. It is hoped that you will participate in, support and contribute to the transformative healing and justice in our beloved community.
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