Who are we?

Rita, Jonié (aka J.Cole), Jana, and Jenni launched The Tree Yoga Cooperative in August of 2020 after years of teaching yoga and meditation throughout South Los Angeles. Their community leadership at The Tree South LA (nonprofit organization) united them to reimagine the ways we connect, heal, build and celebrate ourselves and community. 

The Tree Yoga Cooperative is a BIPOC worker-owned cooperative in South Central Los Angeles, which is a values-driven business that puts worker and community benefit at the core of its purpose. Worker cooperatives are a democratic alternative to inequality, gentrification, and the gig economy and provide a pathway to a better future of work.

Why are we raising capital?

We have found a beautiful location for us to plant our roots in for the next 5 to 10 years! We’re excited for all the possibilities that this space will allow us to expand in our services, programming, and increase the impact we have on community health. 

 We are here to address the 1 in 5 of us who are struggling with mental illness and for the  ⅓ of all deaths that are from “preventable” chronic health conditions. In Los Angeles, heart disease and strokes are the leading cause of death. The otherside to this issue is that many BIPOC communities don’t see themselves represented in how yoga is portrayed in popular culture and how it can be beneficial in preventing stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic health conditions.

Our business is a direct solution to many of the mental and physical health challenges our market is facing. South Los Angeles has been left out of being a hot spot for yoga studios. We are here to fill that gap through quality, trauma informed, and accessible services led by BIPOC wellness leaders! Amongst our competitors, we have the only Black-led advanced yoga training. Which is continuing to increase the representation of BIPOC wellness leaders to reach this untapped market and have an impact for more communities of color to see themselves in the practice.

What We Need & What You Get

In June 2021 we raised $15K via Crowdfunding and we recently won the $15K grand prize business pitch competition hosted by Black Ambition, Adidas & Sonder Impact. With our $30K we have had the momentum to negotiate a long-term commercial tenancy! What we need right now is to raise at least an additional $108K to demonstrate financial capital required for a 5 year lease.  We are here to change the narrative that it is possible for BIPOC entrepreneurs to attain the capital needed.  We need local entrepreneurs that are invested in the wellbeing of our community members and creating a regenerative economy in South Central Los Angeles. 

We have experienced how successful our programming can be when we operate at full capacity in a physical location. Our business model allows for opportunities to scale further as we anticipate operational expenses to increase as well.   

The capital we are raising here, pitching for, and applying  to is to start up in a healthy sustainable position to cover commercial lease rent (~$2.00 sq. ft @ 3900 sq. ft), operational expenses (utilities, subscriptions, COVID protocols, etc) and legal fees. 

We have listed unique perks for your support and look forward to inviting you to our grand opening! If we don’t reach our entire goal, funds will still be used towards the expenses listed.

The Impact

Your donation will go directly towards our first year in a brick and mortar location. 

This space will also serve as the new home base for our transformative 200hr Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program. That means that your contribution will allow community members (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, differently-abled, low-income individuals) to deepen their own yoga practice, evolve their leadership in community health, and expand their opportunities as entrepreneurs in wellness. We are the only Black-led 200hr YTT emphasizing yoga as a tool for social justice, grassroots community building and addressing racial health inequities in our community.

It is important that People of Color know they have a safe space with us to enjoy this practice and to teach, work, and offer their services. Any additional funds from our initial goal will go towards Yoga Teacher Training scholarships and supporting operational expenses. 

Our Traction

Other Ways You Can Help

Please share with friends, family, and through your networks. If you happen to have any media contacts, let us know. We are excited to share about our unique story and the impact it has had on BIPOC wellness practitioners throughout South Los Angeles and worldwide!! Please utilize the indiegogo share tools to help spread the word about re-opening our BIPOC worker-owned wellness hub.