Kennedy Ta’Nae is an entrepreneur, herbalist, and community health advocate whose work is deeply rooted in holistic living, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. As the founder of The Umber Foundation, she is committed to building systems that support health equity, housing stability, and accessible wellness education, particularly for women, children, and historically underserved communities. Born on a military base in California, Ta’Nae’s early life was shaped by firsthand experiences with maternal health complications, gaps in institutional support, and the challenges of navigating a single-parent household impacted by chronic illness. After her mother’s military discharge due to severe pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia and premature birth,  Ta’Nae has witnessed the long-term effects of limited healthcare access, financial instability, and inadequate social support systems since early childhood. Her experiences became the foundation of her lifelong mission.

From a young age, Ta’Nae demonstrated both academic drive and independence. 

 

Since 2019, Ta’Nae has independently studied and explored areas such as epigenetics, social determinants of health, and intergenerational wellness. She approaches these fields through both lived experience and research. By 2021, her work evolved into a formal framework, leading to the creation of The Umber Foundation. Under her leadership, Umber has grown into a research-informed, community-centered initiative focused on holistic wellness, transitional housing, and culturally grounded education. The organization emphasizes Afro-diasporic and women-centered approaches to care, integrating nutrition, herbalism, family support, and life skills into accessible programming. In her personal practice, Ta’Nae works as a holistic counselor and herbal nutritionist, supporting individuals and families across the life cycle—from infancy through adulthood. Her work bridges wellness, education, and family care, offering practical, culturally relevant tools that empower people to build healthier and more sustainable lives.

 

What distinguishes Ta’Nae’s work is her ability to combine vision with execution. She understands how to design programs, support individuals, and cultivate environments where people feel seen, informed, and supported. Her leadership is grounded in lived experience, consistency, and a deep commitment to improving quality of life—not just in theory, but in practice. Today, she continues to expand The Umber Foundation while pursuing her graduate studies and working as a provider. Ta’Nae’s vision is to create dignified, community-rooted systems that redefine how wellness, housing, and education are delivered—ensuring that those often excluded from traditional pathways have access to the resources, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive.