About Us

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Jemila, founder and board president of Be More Healing House, is dedicated to cultivating spaces of collective growth. With a career rooted in social work and local food system advocacy, she brings a lifetime of experience in community organizing, agriculture, and holistic health to her role. Jemila is passionate about creating opportunities for our community to reclaim their inherent sovereignty by reconnecting with the land, cultivating their own food, and expressing themselves creatively. Her work is driven by a simple but powerful belief: by honoring our stories, ancestral and cultural knowledge, and reconnecting with nature, we can build vibrant, empowered neighborhoods where every neighbor—from youth to elders—has the resources to heal and thrive.

Melissa Cole is a registered nurse with a lifelong interest in dance and other performing arts. She has enjoyed many a dance jam, rhythm festival, community garden, and unconventional church service, and is passionate about spaces and events that promote healing, creativity, and growth. She has served on the board of a Baltimore-based dance company for 12 years and is excited to now support Be More Healing House in a similar fashion. 

Professionally, I am a Software Engineer with over 10 years of experience. Outside the office, I enjoy being in nature—whether hiking, swimming, exercising, practicing yoga, reading, or gardening. My passion for natural gardening originated from my years working as a landscaper; I have since transferred the knowledge I gained in landscaping directly into my gardening practice. I believe everyone should have the ability to eat foods that haven't been laced with toxic chemicals, and that nourishment should not be a major expense. Additionally, I have knowledge of Caribbean, African, and Western herbs, as well as TCM and 

TONE—also known as Mr. Honey Man—is an East Coast–based apitherapist who harnesses the power of locally sourced honey through collaborations with holistically minded beekeepers. Together, they create functional snacks designed to elevate mental clarity, physical wellness, and conscious consumption. Apiary work is part of Mr. Honey Man’s inner DNA, descending from his great-great-grandfather, a beekeeper in rural southern Virginia. This legacy fuels a deep desire to see those in his community reconnect with their roots to harness their ancestral powers, gifts, and talents. Through these ELEVATED offerings, he aims to heal the community both mentally and physically.

From an early age, my connection to the earth shaped the foundation of my work. I began in agriculture at just 11 years old, growing herbs and other plants to deeply understand their natural properties, uses, and benefits. This early hands-on experience naturally led me into the field of herbalism, where I continue to study, apply, and share plant-based knowledge for holistic wellness.

In recent years, I have worked on and helped develop multiple farms across Maryland, gaining practical experience in herb cultivation, crop management, land development, and sustainable growing practices. My background blends agriculture, herbalism, and plant education, allowing me to combine traditional cultivation methods with modern natural wellness approaches.

I am also the founder of Astro Brand (www.iamastrobrand.com), a wellness-focused company dedicated to herbal education, sea moss products, and plant-based solutions rooted in real agricultural experience. Today, my work is centered on herbalism, agriculture, and holistic wellness—focused on cultivating high-quality herbs, understanding the benefits of each plant, and empowering others through natural remedies and knowledge gained directly from years of working with the land.