FOUNDER OF  
KNOW GOOD & WELL

Aniki Shani Coates founded Know Good & Well, a holistic wellness venture rooted in therapeutic horticulture, urban farming, and culinary arts. Her journey into wellness is deeply inspired by her southern-born parents, Raymond and Geraldine Middlebrooks, and her unwavering faith in God.

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Growing up in Gary, Indiana, Aniki learned the power of nature, food, and community from her father, who cultivated a garden that nourished both body and soul. His generosity and belief in the healing power of food profoundly shaped her purpose. After his passing in 2020 due to congestive heart failure, Aniki committed to honoring his legacy by helping others care for themselves through nature-based practices and holistic wellness.

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Aniki’s career reflects this passion. She is a certified Horticultural Therapist, Sustainable Urban Farmer, Beekeeper, and Environmental Literacy Educator. She holds certifications from the Chicago Botanic Garden, the University of Illinois Extension, and Washburne Culinary Institute, where she trained as a professional chef with a focus on plant-based nutrition. Her work as a Culinary Nutritionist emphasizes food literacy and its profound impact on mental and physical health.

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Through Know Good & Well, Aniki creates and facilitates a wide range of horticultural and therapy-based programs designed to meet the unique needs of diverse populations. Her programs have touched the lives of individuals in hospitals, daycares, schools, senior living residences, recovery centers, veterans’ communities, individuals with developmental disabilities, and those who are justice-involved. She has developed healing spaces, curricula, and programs for communities affected by PTSD, sexual abuse, substance abuse, anxiety, stress, depression, acute trauma, and on the journey of restorative justice. Her work empowers individuals to reconnect with themselves through nature, reduce stress, boost mood, and support their healing journeys.