October 2023

As proud clients of HELM Ventures, we are excited to watch Grounded flourish, bringing their vision of community engagement, wellness, and nature to life in Anacostia.

Read on DCist

Grounded, a Black women-owned plant company that initiated as a plant subscription service during the pandemic, is expanding its footprint with a new brick-and-mortar location in Anacostia. Spearheaded by co-founders Danuelle Doswell and Mignon Hemsley, the upcoming establishment at 1913 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE is slated to be more than just a plant shop. With a sprawling 3,200 square foot space under construction, the vision for Grounded encompasses a café, wellness studio, and a design philosophy rooted in biophilic elements - seamlessly integrating the natural world with urban spaces.

Key Highlights:

Grounded seeks to be a sanctuary that bridges the gap between urban residents and nature, especially in areas like Ward 8, where access to nature, food security, and mental well-being are pressing concerns.

Alongside a vast array of plants and accessories, the co-founders are introducing consulting services to curate personalized plant packages for homes. Their expanded vision for Grounded includes a café with locally sourced ingredients and a coworking-friendly ambiance. Visitors are encouraged to stay, soak in the surroundings, and use the space as a second home.

The wellness section will feature classes such as yoga, meditation, and Reiki. Furthermore, a series of workshops, from hiking meetups to foraging lessons, will be on offer to strengthen community bonds.

The entrepreneurs' journey so far has been impressive. From shipping over 25,000 plants across the U.S. since 2020 to collaborating with corporate giants like Meta and celebrities like Gabrielle Union, their growth trajectory is commendable. A testament to their influence is the song "Grounded" by R&B singer Ari Lennox.

Grounded's expansion is backed by community-centric collaborators like Drummond Projects, a Black-owned design firm, and will be a part of the MLK Gateway development by Menkiti Group.

Future endeavors include launching a crowdfunding campaign for free classes, initiating a non-profit to educate youngsters about agriculture, setting up a community fridge program, and providing fresh produce boxes, targeting at least 300 beneficiaries next year.