Community Highlights: Meet Melissa Philippe of Rooted in Wisdom Nonprofit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Philippe.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I founded Rooted in Wisdom with a deep commitment to holistic community wellness, maternal health, and supporting women and girls through education, mentorship, and access to care. My journey began with a desire to create spaces where ancestral knowledge, faith, and modern wellness practices intersect to truly serve the needs of individuals and families. Over time, I expanded this vision to include Blissful Births and Blissful Connections LLC, which provide maternal education, birth support, and holistic wellness services. Each step has been about building community, honouring tradition, and creating accessible resources that help women thrive in body, mind, and spirit. What started as a personal mission has grown into a collective effort to empower others to reconnect with their wisdom, their health, and their purpose.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has not been without challenges. Building Rooted in Wisdom and our associated ventures meant navigating financial hurdles, limited access to support networks, and the complexities of creating sustainable programs from the ground up. As an Afro-Indigenous woman, I’ve often faced the additional challenge of being overlooked in spaces where resources and opportunities are more readily available to others. Despite these obstacles, every challenge reinforced my commitment to community, resilience, and creating structures that truly support women and families. These experiences have shaped our approach, making our work more intentional, accessible, and grounded in real needs.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Rooted in Wisdom Nonprofit?
Rooted in Wisdom is a nonprofit dedicated to holistic wellness, maternal health, and community empowerment. We provide education, mentorship, and resources to support women and girls in reconnecting with their bodies, cycles, and spiritual and emotional well-being. Through programs like our Women’s Boxes and Period Dignity Initiative, as well as community workshops, mentorship circles, and wellness events, we focus on practical, accessible, and culturally rooted care.

What sets us apart is our foundation in the eight pillars of wellness, which guide every aspect of our work and combine ancestral knowledge with modern practices to meet real community needs. We are most proud of building spaces where women feel seen, heard, and supported, whether it’s through maternal care, life skills education, or holistic wellness programs. Our brand represents empowerment, education, and healing. We want readers to know that Rooted in Wisdom is more than an organisation; it is a community where women can access tools, support, and guidance to thrive in body, mind, and spirit.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, I see holistic wellness and maternal health moving toward greater accessibility, inclusivity, and integration with community-based care. There will be a stronger focus on culturally grounded practices, ancestral knowledge, and preventative care alongside mainstream healthcare. Digital platforms and education will continue to expand, making mentorship, wellness guidance, and maternal support more widely available, especially for underserved communities. I also anticipate a rise in collective, community-driven initiatives spaces where women support one another, share resources, and reclaim autonomy over their health and wellbeing. The shift will be toward holistic, person-centred approaches that honour the mind, body, spirit, and environment as interconnected, rather than treating each in isolation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rootedinwisdomnonprofit.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedinwisdomnonprofit/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blissfullconnectionsllc
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-philippe-8a55a6a6/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Faithandmama