Rising Stars: Meet Trinity Smith of Roots in Her Health

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trinity Smith.

Hi Trinity, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story really begins with my own health journey. When I was younger, I was in a car accident that left me with a concussion, and afterward I developed severe chronic migraines that completely changed my life. For several years, I was homeschooled while learning how to manage a chronic medical condition.

The hardest part wasn’t just living with migraines. It was feeling isolated and like no one truly understood what I was going through.

When I returned to school, I found myself constantly having to advocate for my own health. Instead of being met with empathy, support, and resources, there were times when I felt like I had to prove that my pain was real. That experience made me realize that I couldn’t be the only young girl going through something like this. I knew there had to be other girls who felt unheard, unsupported, and unsure of how to advocate for themselves.

That became the turning point for me. I wanted to create the kind of support I wish I had for other young girls of color like me. A space where they could feel seen, understood, and empowered to advocate for their health and their future.

That’s how Roots In Her Health my nonprofit was born. The name reflects what I believe, which is that our health is deeply rooted in every part of who we are. Wellness isn’t just physical. It’s mental, emotional, social, and spiritual. When we invest in the whole person, we give young girls the tools and confidence to thrive.

Our mission is to educate young girls and teens to understand their health, advocate for themselves, and embrace holistic wellness with the support they need to thrive.

Starting Roots In Her Health has given purpose to some of the hardest moments of my life. It has helped me realize that this is what I am passionate about and what I have been called to do. As long as there are young girls who need someone to believe them, support them, and remind them that their voices matter, I will continue doing this work.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to pursue my goals while living with a chronic illness instead of waiting for life to become easier.

Because chronic migraines are an invisible illness, people couldn’t always see what I was experiencing. There were times when I felt like I had to explain my condition or advocate for support in ways that many other students didn’t. At the same time, I was balancing school, doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, different medications and treatments, and trying to keep up with everyday life. It was a constant balancing act.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was that I couldn’t allow my diagnosis to define who I was. My chronic illness is part of my story, but it isn’t my identity. I had to learn how to live with it, while still pursuing the life and purpose I knew I was called to.

Building a nonprofit while still in high school has also come with its own challenges. I’ve had to learn about leadership, nonprofit management, fundraising, community partnerships, and program development while continuing to navigate my own health journey. There is a lot that goes into creating spaces and making them accessible to the community.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change my journey at all. As difficult as it was, it opened my eyes to the gaps that still exist for young girls of color when it comes to understanding their health and receiving the support they deserve. It also showed me why Roots In Her Health is so important. There is a real need for organizations that are intentionally committed to educating, empowering, and supporting young girls as they navigate their health and wellness. Knowing that this work can help fill that gap reminds me why I started, and why I’ll continue doing it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As the founder and executive director of Roots In Her Health, INCE I lead an nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering young girls and teens to better understand their health, advocate for themselves, and embrace holistic wellness.

Our work focuses on the whole person because health is more than just physical. We create opportunities for young girls to learn about their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being while building the confidence to advocate for themselves in every area of their lives. Through wellness programming, mentorship, community partnerships, and outreach initiatives, we strive to provide the education, resources, and support they need to thrive.

What sets Roots In Her Health apart is that our work is rooted in lived experience. Everything we create is informed by a genuine understanding of the challenges many young girls, especially young girls of color, face when navigating their health. We are intentional about creating spaces where girls feel heard, supported, and empowered to ask questions, advocate for themselves, and develop a lifelong understanding of their health and wellness.

As a recent 2026 high school graduate, one of the things I’m most proud of is seeing our mission come to life through meaningful partnerships with organizations like Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch something that began from my own experiences grow into an organization that is already creating opportunities and making a positive impact in the lives of young girls.

At the end of the day, I hope Roots In Her Health becomes more than a nonprofit. I hope it becomes a trusted community where every young girl knows that her health matters, her voice matters, and that she has the knowledge, confidence, and support to advocate for herself throughout her life.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned along this journey is that every young girl’s story is different. No two experiences are the same, which means there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to supporting young girls.

Some girls grow up in families where conversations about health, mental health, and wellness are encouraged and normalized. Others grow up in environments where those topics are rarely discussed or may even be considered taboo. Some already have a strong foundation of knowledge and support, while others are hearing these conversations for the very first time.

That has taught me the importance of listening before leading. Every young girl deserves to be met where she is, with compassion, understanding, and resources that reflect her unique experiences and needs.

As Roots In Her Health continues to grow, I want our programs to reflect that. Our goal isn’t to fit every girl into the same mold. It’s to create a space where each girl feels seen, heard, valued, and empowered to learn about her health in a way that is meaningful to her.

Pricing:

• All Roots In Her Health programs are made possible through the generosity of donors, sponsors, and community partners, allowing us to provide health education, wellness programming, and supportive resources to young girls and teens.
• Costs may vary for select fundraising events or special programs, if applicable.
• Roots In Her Health is committed to making health education and wellness programming accessible to all participants
• Community members who would like to support our mission can make a tax-deductible donation to help us expand our impact and create more opportunities for youth to understand their health, advocate for themselves, and thrive.
• Donate: https://givebutter.com/rootsinherhealth

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rootsinherhealth.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootsinherhealth
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinity-smith-52a27b341
• Other: https://givebutter.com/rootsinherhealth