Reviving Roots Therapy and Wellness will host its very first All About Joy Block Party on Friday, Aug. 16. The event is a celebration of community and culture and an exciting milestone for the organization as it unveils its new location in Loring Park.
While summer in the Twin Cities is filled with opportunities for the Black community to come together, the Reviving Roots block party places a special emphasis on holistic wellness, a growing need in the Black Community globally, and particularly in the Twin Cities.
Navigating the various challenges of 2020, mental health problems became a heightened concern. The World Health Organization reported a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide as a result of COVID-19 alone.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) reports the mental health of Black Americans was disproportionately affected by the murder of George Floyd and even more so for Black Americans who were geographically located closer to the event.
During this period, the waitlist for Reviving Roots Therapy and Wellness surged to over 100 people, reflecting the Black community’s urgent need for Black practitioners. This demand emerged despite the organization having been open for only a year.
Offering holistic wellness solutions specifically for the Black community since 2019, Reviving Roots’ All About Joy Block Party will commemorate the organization’s success as a unique pillar in the community.
“This is going to be our one-year anniversary in the Loring Park space, but the five-year anniversary for Reviving Roots as a whole,” said Eloho Urhieyovwe, director of Operations for Reviving Roots.
Open to all ages, the All About Joy Block Party will offer everything you might expect: “Overall, we’re celebrating Black joy,” said Awa Mally, community curator of Reviving Roots. “You can expect mindful movements like dance fitness and yoga flows; games like Uno, Spades…all the Black games. Black food trucks and beverages. Music from DJ McShellen and DJ Aquil.”
Attendees can also experience Tiny Tent Therapy, an opportunity to be introduced to therapy services from Reviving Roots’ mental health therapists Matt Gentles and Azania Tripp.
Reviving Roots’ stunning brick-and-mortar space will be open for visitors. “Since our location is a bit tucked away, people aren’t always familiar with the actual building,” said Urhieyovwe. “We definitely want folks to come on up, learn how to access the space, tour the facilities, and see firsthand what we have to offer and exactly what we do.”
All About Joy Block Party takes place at Reviving Roots Therapy and Wellness, located at 1624 Harmon Place, Door 1629, in Minneapolis, from 3 to 8 p.m. The free, family-friendly event is open to the public. RSVPs are requested at this link: https://reviving-roots.com/all-about-joy