Heather Mitchell, Director of Youth Enrichment at Rootead Enrichment Center (REC), discovered her passion for dancing as a form of expression through a deep yearning for connection to her cultural roots, a feeling she shared with her cousin and co-founder of REC, Kama Mitchell. “Growing up, we spent a lot of time dancing as a family,” said Heather. “In our living room, outside in tents, or the garage during the summer, dancing was how we connected. And as I grew up, I realized how deeply rooted that tradition was in our African heritage, and I craved more.”
Heather and Kama’s family lineage traces back to New Orleans and further back to West Africa. “We come from a family of dancers,” said Heather. “It’s in our DNA, but as biracial Americans, we longed for a deeper connection to those roots, something that felt tangible.”
It all began with the beat of a drum. Heather vividly remembered her first Dunuya Drum and Dance show in Ravenwood, Kalamazoo. “The sound hit me to the core. It was nostalgic and stirred something up inside me,” she said. “I left that show knowing I had to do more, so I reached out to one of the dancers, started taking classes in Ann Arbor, and eventually joined the group.”
Heather became a performer, traveling across Michigan to share the power of drum and dance. Every performance, from festivals to libraries and schools, blurred the line between a show and a communal gathering. “The most beautiful thing was seeing children run up to join us,” she said. “They reminded me of myself, and I realized how important it was to create a space where they could connect to their heritage, something I had craved growing up.”
This desire to build deeper connections led Heather’s cousin, Kama, to launch Rootead Enrichment Center, a nonprofit organization focused on birthing justice, youth enrichment, and community healing.
- Birth Justice supports mothers and families through education and advocacy
- Youth Enrichment helps young people grow through arts, mentorship, and leadership programs
- Community Healing brings people together with workshops and gatherings that strengthen bonds and promote well-being.
Heather leads the Youth Enrichment branch of the organization, working directly with young people to empower them through programs like dance, drumming, and social-emotional learning. “Youth enrichment is more than developing skills. It’s about giving young people a space to feel seen, supported, and connected to something greater than themselves.”
For Heather and Kama, the drum wasn’t just an instrument but a tool of liberation. “Drums carry a legacy,” Heather explained. “During the Stono Rebellion in 1739, enslaved Africans used drum patterns as a call to war, a way to mobilize. The enslavers feared this power and outlawed drums in the U.S., but that didn’t silence us. Our ancestors found ways to keep the rhythms alive through stomping, clapping, spoons, and other makeshift instruments.”
Heather shared that the drums, like other cultural practices, are a way to reclaim that legacy. “We teach children to honor the drum as made of living things like wood, skin, metal, and textiles,” she said. “It reminds them of their connection to the earth and their ancestors.”.
Before dancing or drumming, the community gathers in a circle to reflect and connect. “The village is where we care for each other,” said Heather. “We center kindness and focus on values like love and compassion. These aren’t just activities but lessons for building character and community.”
For Heather, drums and dance are more than forms of expression; they’re the language of the soul. “We don’t dance the dance; the dance dances us. We become vessels for our ancestors to speak through us,” she said.
Rootead has also brought international teachers to Kalamazoo, ensuring youth can access master practitioners without leaving their community. Heather has traveled the world to deepen her craft, from studying yoga in Pennsylvania to learning traditional dance forms in Brazil and New York City.
“This work has always been about bringing something back to the community, something that lives forever.”
By reconnecting with African roots and sharing that legacy with the next generation, Rootead Enrichment Center ensures that the rhythm continues unbroken.
While the organization centers on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and is deeply rooted in African ethos, it welcomes people from all backgrounds to engage, learn, and connect. “For those wondering if Rootead is for them, the answer is yes,” said Heather. “Come see for yourself.”
There are many ways to support REC’s mission and become part of this vibrant community. Attend an event, volunteer your time, or donate to help provide transportation, meals, and youth learning opportunities with master teachers from indigenous lands. Every contribution – big or small – helps youth stay connected to their heritage through dance, drumming, and cultural enrichment.
Stay updated on REC’s latest events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give by visiting the organization’s website and subscribing to the newsletter: https://rootead.org/. Join us in keeping the rhythm alive for generations to come!
