Our Story
Kinet Bet was founded with the belief that the power of conversation, art, and storytelling could be harnessed to create a culture of healing and holistic wellness. The organization was established with the mission to empower individuals and communities to overcome the emotional and cultural barriers that limit their growth and well-being.
At its core, Kinet Bet seeks to promote compassion, empathy, and mindfulness, while encouraging emotional and cultural awareness. The organization believes that by fostering these qualities, it can inspire individuals to embrace their multi-layered identities and challenge limiting beliefs that may impede their growth.
From its humble beginnings as an organization dedicated to promoting Ethiopian cultural dances among youth, Kinet Bet has grown into a community-driven platform that offers a range of programs and events aimed at cultivating healing and wellness. Whether it's through virtual programs like Gratitude and Mindfulness Hour or Forgiveness Hour, or through community-based initiatives that encourage cultural awareness and community building, Kinet Bet is committed to empowering individuals to take charge of their own healing journey.
At the heart of Kinet Bet's story is its founder, Bethlehem Bekele, whose vision and leadership have inspired countless individuals to embrace their unique identities and work towards a common goal of creating a culture of healing and well-being. Through her tireless efforts and commitment to her community, Bethlehem has demonstrated that with compassion, empathy, and mindfulness, we can overcome the challenges that hold us back and build a more vibrant, inclusive, and connected world.
Bethlehem Bekele Belatchew,
Founder
Bethlehem is a compassionate leader, community builder, and cultural ambassador with a deep passion for wellness and healing. Born in Ethiopia and raised in New York City, she spent over 15 years working in the banking sector to bridge the gap in financial literacy and provide culturally sensitive services to immigrant and underserved communities.
She eventually moved to Los Angeles, California to focus on her wellness and healing journey where she discovered different modalities to wellness, the main one being mindfulness. She moved back to the East Coast to start her family and continue her healing and wellness journey. During her pregnancy, during her first trimester, she suffered major depression; with time and by practicing the modalities she learned, she was able to have a peaceful pregnancy and gave birth to a joyful baby boy.
After overcoming her depression, anxiety, and cultural pressures, she vowed to support her community. She is combining her almost two decades of leadership, people development, coaching, emotional sensitivity training, and cultural awareness experience, coupled with her mental and emotional wellness advocacy work to start wellness and healing coaching services through Kinet Bet.
Bethlehem has many passions and believes that all things done in love are worth doing. She is an active member of her community serving in a few boards, in her church choir, and can always be found moving to the beat of music. Bethlehem loves sharing her knowledge and experience with others, helping people develop the tools they need to achieve optimal health and wellness. In all her endeavors, she remains committed to collective healing, recognizing that individual healing is a vital step toward creating a healthier, more vibrant, and connected community and society.