We had the good fortune of connecting with Kamilah Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kamilah, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. My father, grandmother, great-grandmother and other relatives were educators. Growing up my family was all about community, giving back, sharing and building. I took that into all my social settings even as a school child, against some of the teachers request, I made sure the whole class had what they needed. All the way up to college, after being diagnosed with a brain tumor and finding out that it was gone, starting a non-profit for other kids not only in the hospitals but within underrepresented communities to have the support they need for trails. So continuing to work with students in schools is just better now while sipping tea. Also knowing that I can provide tea time and reminders of self-care to my close community (family, friends) and that echoes as I continue to build business community and brand visibility.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Teas With Meaning is an organic loose leaf and bottled tea blend company based in Oakland, California. “Magic is the main ingredient,” I often say. The magic of TWM teas are that they have multiple uses outside of an organic, fresh cup of tea to sip. Whether in baths, yoni steams, your favorite yogurt or plant compost, TWM herbs can be enjoyed after the initial brew. TWM also sells handcrafted ceramic mugs, merch, custom candles, coasters and more.

In 2010 I founded With Meaning, LLC as a diverse platform for people inspiring purposeful change within their communities. In 2018, I expanded the brand with Teas With Meaning following a cancer diagnosis the previous fall. It was on the land of Mount Shasta, California where I realized all the herbs and magic she needed to heal were at my fingertips. Every herb in each tea blend was intentionally created to include medicinal properties.

In three short years TWM has collabed and partnered with over 50 businesses that include but aren’t limited to Whole Foods, ESSENCE, Target, and Google. We’ve been featured on Beyoncé.com, ESSENCE, Vanity Fair, Netflix’s Jingle Jangle, Buzzfeed, Shopify, Black Joy Parade, and Bravado for Dreamforce by Salesforce. I’ve been able to use my gift of gab to build lasting relationships with restaurants and retailers in the Bay Area and across the United States.

At the heart of the With Meaning, LLC brand is intention, purpose, and wellness. Whatever I do professionally and personally is…with meaning. I am a fearless leader and doer and giver. Surviving a brain tumor and now cancer has shaped much of her life. Starting Teas With Meaning in the midst of such a diagnosis is a testament to my spirit and resilience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
From the airport we would head to my favorite beach town, Half Moon Bay. We’ll have lunch on the beach before driving back, we’ll go through SF for touristy vibes before crossing the bridge back to Oakland. While in Oakland, we’ll spend a couple days sight seeing, connecting with community and eating at spots like Miss. Ollies, Duende, and Ensarro. Depending on the flow we may grab road snacks at Mandela Grocery Co-Op and drive up to Mt. Shasta before returning for a final day in Oakland.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To my grandmothers – my maternal grandmother who reminded me growing up how to tend the land; she had a garden and grew food and remedies that she prepared for us. To my paternal grandmother who is the epitome of the perfect tea time for me – the nourishment, the slow down, the loving of self.

Website: withmeaning.org

Instagram: instagram.com/teaswithmeaning

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/teaswithmeaning

Facebook: facebook.com/teaswithmeaning

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzeZc62BDOyNL28Mjx__Reg/featured

Image Credits
Pendarvis Harshaw Christie Goshe Lara Kaur

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