Founder’s Story

I am Ruyi-Mercedes Wilson, founder of The Rooted Empress, a minister, yoga teacher, author, and spiritual guide. I serve as pastor and spiritual Guide of The Rooted Sanctuary, where faith, healing, and empowerment come together to restore women, children, and families.

My story begins in one of the most dangerous housing projects in the state of Florida. I grew up surrounded by poverty, violence, and instability. There were times when I did not have access to the most basic necessities—soap, toilet paper, clean clothes, or a safe and stable home environment.

Education became my path forward. I was the first in my family—and the first among my siblings—to graduate high school. I went on to become the first to attend college, earning certification as an X-ray technologist through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and later a bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Sciences.

My healthcare career taught me compassion, discipline, and service. But my deeper calling led me into ministry and nonprofit work. The Rooted Empress is my way of transforming hardship into hope—providing families with the resources, guidance, and dignity I once wished I had.

Today, The Rooted Empress brings together faith-based healing, education, wellness, and empowerment for women, children, and communities. It is not just my story—it is the reflection of every family who refuses to give up, and a testimony that brokenness can be turned into strength.

Ruyi-Mercedes Wilson stands as a mother, survivor, advocate, and leader who transformed her pain into purpose. By founding The Rooted Empress, she has created more than an organization—she has created a movement. Her story continues to inspire women and youth to reclaim their voices, empower their futures, and ignite a legacy of resilience for generations to come.