Roots.of Healing WellnessAbout Roots
Three Black women laughing together while walking down a New Orleans street lined with historic homes and oak trees.

Roots of Healing Wellness  ·  New Orleans

Life is meant
to be experienced.

Meet new people. Try something different. Build real connections. Make memories. And create a life that feels good to live.

Roots of Healing Wellness is a community where Black women come together for friendship, culture, wellness, learning, joy, and shared experiences.

Come by yourself. You won't be the only one.

Maybe what you've been missing
is community.

Real connections.

Shared experiences.

People who know your name.

Somewhere you can simply show up and belong.

We saved you a seat.

Two Black women laughing together over a shared meal at a rustic table.

Sound like you?

You might be a Roots woman if...

  • You've been saying, “We need to get together,” for six months.
  • You want to meet new women — but you're not interested in another networking event.
  • You want to get out of the house and actually DO something.
  • You believe women need women.
  • You want friendships that go beyond social media.
  • You want to learn, laugh, explore, contribute, and experience more of life.
  • You appreciate Black culture, intergenerational wisdom, and community.
  • You'd love somewhere you could come alone and still feel welcome.

Yeah, girl.
We might be your people.

So...what are we getting into?

Black women taking a dance class together, laughing mid-motion.
Black women playing cards together at a table, laughing.
Black women cooking together in a warm kitchen.
A group of Black women of varying ages gathered around a long dinner table.
Dinner togetherDance classesWellness walksBoxing & movementCooking experiencesBook conversationsGuest speakersCreative workshopsVolunteer daysCultural outingsGame nightsCommunity conversationsLearning from eldersTrying something completely new

Some days we'll learn.

Some days we'll move.

Some days we'll serve.

Some days we'll eat.

Some days we'll laugh until our stomachs hurt.

It all counts.

Why this matters

Wellness isn't only about
what's happening within us.
It's also about
what's happening around us.

Our relationships, neighborhoods, culture, opportunities, environments, and sense of belonging all influence how well we live. That's why Roots looks at wellness differently.

Healing asks us to look inward.

Public health asks us to look around.

Roots says:

  • Let's know our neighbors.
  • Let's learn from our elders.
  • Let's try the class.
  • Let's eat together.
  • Let's check on each other.
  • Let's make some memories.

Let's build the village.

A welcoming New Orleans front porch with rocking chairs and historic Creole architecture in warm evening light.

Home.
Work.
And somewhere
you belong.

Women need places outside of home and work where relationships can grow naturally.

Somewhere you can become a familiar face.

Somewhere people learn your name.

Somewhere someone notices when you haven't been around.

Roots is creating that kind of community.

No clique required.

No plus-one required.

No pretending required.

Come as you are.

An older Black woman and a younger Black woman sitting together in warm conversation.

For us.
With us.
Rooted in us.

Roots honors the culture, knowledge, stories, joy, creativity, and wisdom Black women carry.

We believe there is something powerful about women across generations knowing one another, learning from one another, and making room for one another.

“There is knowledge sitting at our kitchen tables that no textbook contains.”

Girl,
let's get out the house.

Take the class.Wear the outfit.Make the reservation.Learn the dance.Call the friend.Try something new.Go somewhere.Laugh loudly.Make the memory.

More dinners.

More dancing.

More learning.

More laughing.

More life.

Lakischa Smith, MPH, founder of Roots of Healing Wellness.

The founder

Built with purpose.
Created with community in mind.

Roots of Healing Wellness was founded by Lakischa Smith, MPH, a community wellness advocate who believes health and quality of life are deeply connected to culture, relationships, belonging, and the communities we create around us.

Meet our founder
Black women of different ages gathered around a table, sharing food and laughter.

Your next friend,
favorite memory,
or new experience
might start here.

You don't need to already know someone.

You don't need to have everything figured out.

You don't need to be a “wellness person.”

Just come curious.

Roots.of Healing Wellness

Come alone. Leave knowing somebody.

Roots of Healing Wellness · New Orleans, LA
More connection. More experiences. More memories. More life.

© 2026 Roots of Healing Wellness. All rights reserved.