Root Wellness Center

Formed in response to the growing need for affordable, communal, and culturally-sustaining mental health care in our community.

We Provide

  • Mental Health & Wellness Cohorts

  • Healing Justice Workshops & Events

  • Community Chaplaincy Program

Innovating Mental Health

  • We believe connection to authentic community is a mental wellness practice intrinsic to communities of color. Our method connects the dots between evidence-based theories and mirroring cultural practices that have historically worked toward our healing.

  • Nature teaches us that everything is interconnected. It's important our health care is too. Our method builds upon the power of mind/body/soul connection, and incorporates connection to nature as a source of mental health recovery, prevention and communal healing.

  • In addition to treating mental illness, our method helps build the psychological, social, spiritual, and environmental awareness necessary to change the systems that keeps us from being well.

  • You shouldn't have to be sick or in crisis to get help. We take a proactive approach toward mental health and wellness that combines preventative wellness strategies, evidence-based practices, and our client’s intuitive wisdom.

Our Current Programs

When We Gather

An intergenerational abolitionist workshop that brings Black women and girls together to discuss police violence while imagining safe lives and communities through the lens of storytelling. 

  • This 2-hour healing workshop that includes (1) a presentation on police violence against Black women and girls, and the role of story-telling in Black culture; (2) a discussion of psychological, emotional, and spiritual tools for transforming trauma; (3) guided meditation, writing, and reflections on Black girlhood, safety, liberation, and solidarity; (4) and a wisdom circle where we craft letters, poetry, and affirmations that centers our visions for the future.

  • For all Black identifying fems, women, and girls.

    Led by:

    Dr. Shannon Malone Gonzalez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at UNC Chapel Hill where she researches police violence against Black women and girls.

    Dr. Latoya Teague is a critical Black literacy scholar who centers Black stories, histories, and memories in her research on literacy access in African American communities

    AW Shields is a clinical licensed social worker, ordained clergywoman, abolitionist and Founder of the Root Cause Collective; a cooperative of mental health and wellness professionals working to revolutionize mental health care by building therapeutic, trauma-informed community as a liberative method of mental health care and healing in communities of the Black Diaspora.

  • (Virtual) November 13th, 2023 6pm-8pm EST

  • To heal in community, build collective wisdom and create a “police talk” for Black women and girls that affirms our humanity.

A virtual 12-week wellness cohort for adults ages 50+ with trained fitness, nutrition, and mental health professionals. Use the pull down menus for full details!

Spaces are limited. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. After registering, we will reach out to you via email with further details.

Whole Body Health & Wellness Virtual Cohort

  • -24 Individual personal fitness sessions with a Certified Personal Trainer (Virtual)

    -12 Virtual Group workout sessions

    -12 Group nutrition coaching and Q&A sessions with a Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist (Virtual)

    -3 Individual mental wellness coaching session with a Licensed Mental Health counselor

    -1 Group mental wellness workshop lead by a Mental Health counselor

  • 1. Physical & Mental Agility

    2. Increased Energy

    3. Nutritional Education

    4. Improved mobility

    5. Bone health with improved muscle strength and tone

    6. Peer support and accountability

    7. Sustainable mind & body wellness

A 12-month therapeutic healing cohort for LGBTQ+ people of color who have experienced religious, spiritual or identity-based trauma.  Our aim is to provide a space where participants can explore their unique experiences, reclaim their spiritual and cultural roots, and find solidarity through healing justice and trauma-informed practices. The group will be lead by AW Shields & Kia Davis.

  • Monthly therapeutic healing justice sessions with other like-minded individuals

    Space for peer support and to build authentic connection, and community

    Post session growth work activities & resources

    Three individual wellness coaching sessions

    Religious trauma education & healing resources

    Support developing individual and collective holistic wellness practices and customized personal wellness plan

    Mental health screenings & referrals as need.

  • This program offers education, tools, and support to help individuals navigate the complexities of religious and identity-based trauma and its effects on mental health and well-being.

    Topics covered include:

    Developing sexual, gender, and spiritual identities

    Confronting internalized oppression, socialized shame, guilt, or self-hatred

    Healing from religious trauma, spiritual abuse, or excommunication from familial or religious communities

    Processing grief around the loss of community, family, and friends after coming out

    Experiencing spiritual crisis

    Addressing maladaptive coping skills and sexual/reproductive health concerns

  • Qinfolk is open to adults 18 years of age or older who identify as an LGBTQIA+ person of color and have experienced religious trauma, a form of psychological trauma resulting from experiences related to a person's spiritual or religious beliefs, practices or involvement in a religious or spiritual community that have caused them distress or harm.

  • A year-long cohort that meets virtually once a month for 12 months, on the third Tuesday of each month from 11:30am-1:30pm EST, starting on August 15th, 2023.

    2023 Dates:

    July 31st (Registration Deadline)

    August 15th

    September 19th

    October 17th

    November 21th

    December 19th

    2024 Dates:

    January 16th

    February 20th

    March th

    April 16th

    May 21st

    June 18th

Qinfolk

Board of Directors

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Board of Directors

  • Dr. Melanie L. Harris

    Wake Forest University

    Director of the Food, Health and Ecological Well-Being Program

    Professor of Black Feminist Thought and Womanist Theology

  • Dakia Davis

    Healing Journey Therapy & Consulting

    Founder, Clinical Supervisor & Therapist

  • Sonya Dunn

    Wake Country Public Schools

    5th Grade Teacher

  • Blaque Robison

    CEO & Founder of Visions OutLoud, LLC

  • Danielle Sherman

    Center for the Study of Social Policy

    Senior Program Analyst

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