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Hi, I’m Ellen. 🤎

If you just found your way here — welcome. Pull up a chair. And if you’ve been with me a while — thank you. You already know I share a lot about my family and my babies, and I love you for staying.

Let me introduce myself properly. I’m a wife, a mom of three, and a chiropractor of eleven years who traded adjustments for entrepreneurship. In these years, I’ve learned a thing or two: I’ve mastered a blended family, and I’ve started two businesses with no business degree — first Rucker Chiropractic, then Rucker Roots.

And I come by the maker spirit honest: my daddy taught me to sew and grow a garden, and my mama raised us to love our natural hair — mixing her own products right in our kitchen, from the very things he grew. I took everything they gave me and started Rucker Roots in my own kitchen. Today it’s a national brand — but it will always have started at a kitchen counter, with my parents’ hands in it.

What I’ve lived

If you spend any time around me, you’ll hear me say it: God is so good — dope, even — and I really do believe the universe is on my side.

I believe that because I’ve had to. I’ve held the deepest grief and the greatest hope in the very same day: on the day I lost my father, my daughter Sadie received the donor that saved her life. Loss and grace, in a single breath. I will never take a single day for granted again.

So I made myself a promise — to live out loud. And this stage of my life is where I finally do it, fully.

My life is a beautiful kind of hectic; I’ve almost always got several projects going at once. I love hard. I’m loyal to a fault. And my heart will always be with the ones who don’t have a voice — that’s not a phase, it’s who I am.

What this space is

This little corner is where I share the real version of it all:

• The recipes — the garden-to-table dishes I actually make.

• The hosting — how I set a warm table and make a house feel like a hug.

• The honest parts of motherhood and business — the balancing act, the beautiful chaos, raising twins and a college kid while building something of my own.

• And the bigger story — because everything I make and build, I’m passing down. In our family, we’re building generational wealth, not a generational curse. That’s the heartbeat under all of it.

I won’t flood your inbox. Just a letter from me now and then — honest, warm, and hopefully something that makes your own home feel a little fuller.

Before you go

I’d love to actually know you. So hit reply — tell me how you found me, and who’s sitting at your table these days. I read every single one.

Come sit with me a while. I promise to overfeed you. 🤎

Xo, Ellen

P.S. If someone you love needs a little inspiration for their own home and table, forward this to her and tell her to pull up a chair too.

Sunday, I was on a red eye coming back from on a trip with my husband to Vegas, seeing Jeezy perform. By Monday evening, Governor Wes Moore was standing in our home. That’s 24 hours. No caterer, no big production — just me doing what I always do: making our home warm, welcoming, and full of love for the people who matter.

It wasn’t perfect. It never is. But it was ours — a few store runs, a small sushi order, a few handmade menu items from my home garden, hydrangeas and zinnias from the yard, a table set with intention, and our closest family and friends filling every seat. That’s the whole thing for me. A home that’s an open door.

And of everything I made that night, this was the dish everyone kept coming back to.

Watermelon Ceviche

Light, bright, a little spicy, and vegan — it looks like you fussed when you truly didn’t. The watermelon stands in for the fish you’d find in a traditional ceviche, and the lime does all the work.

Serves 6 · Prep 20 minutes · Vegan, gluten-free

Ingredients

• 4 cups seedless watermelon, diced small

• 1/2 red onion, finely diced

• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (leave the seeds in for more heat)

• 1/4 cup diced pimento (sweet red pepper)

• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, from the garden

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, from the garden

• Juice of 3–4 limes

• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

• Tortilla chips, to serve

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, red onion, jalapeño, and pimento.

2. Pour the lime juice over the top and add the salt. Toss gently and let it sit for 10 minutes so the flavors marry.

3. Fold in the cilantro and basil right before serving, so everything stays fresh and bright.

4. Taste and adjust — more lime for tang, more salt if it needs it. The pimento brings a soft sweetness that balances the heat.

5. Serve it cold. Watch it disappear.

Make it yours: use whatever herbs are thriving in your kitchen — the basil is what makes this one special.

Homegrown Lemongrass Tea

If the ceviche was the star, this was the quiet closer — the thing everyone sipped as the night slowed down. The lemongrass came straight from our garden, and there’s something about serving people a cup of something you grew yourself.

Honestly? This one couldn’t be simpler — and that’s the beauty of it.

Vegan · caffeine-free · about as easy as it gets

Ingredients

• A generous handful of fresh lemongrass leaves, from the garden

• A few slices of fresh ginger

• 1 lemon, sliced

• Water

• Optional: honey, to serve

Instructions

1. Rinse the lemongrass leaves well.

2. Bring a pot of water to a boil.

3. Add the lemongrass leaves and ginger, and let them steep until the water turns golden and fragrant — about 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Drop in the lemon slices, strain, and serve warm — or pour over ice. Sweeten with a little honey if you like.

That’s it. Fresh from the garden, into the pot, into the cup. The kind of simple I love.

Before you go

Here’s what I keep learning: a welcoming home doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just a bowl of fruit, a full table, and the willingness to open your door on 24 hours’ notice.

I’m starting a little series here I’m calling At Our Table — gathering the people I love (and sometimes the people building our future), and feeding them from the heart. If that’s your kind of thing, stay with me. I’ll be sharing the recipes, the real-life moments, and the honest balancing act of it all, right here.

So tell me — who’s the first person you’d invite to your table? Hit reply. I read every one.

Xo, Ellen

P.S. If a friend needs this recipe (or just needs to feel like she can pull it off too), forward this to her. 🤎

Every year, the Foundation gathers voices from across the country to speak directly to lawmakers about the reality of liver disease, what it looks like, who it affects, and what’s needed to improve lives. This year, I was one of those voices.

My role? To tell Sadie’s story.

Liver Disease Doesn’t Always Look Like You Think

When people hear the words “liver disease,” they often picture adults with unhealthy habits. Few imagine infants. Fewer still imagine my infant, Sadie, born with a rare pediatric liver disease called biliary atresia. It’s a condition that’s often misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late. It has no known cause and no cure. It only has one path to survival: a liver transplant.

That’s what we faced. That’s what we lived through. And that’s what I shared.

I met with the staffers for South Carolina Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham, as well as Congressman Jim Clyburn. While I didn’t speak directly with each representative, I sat across from the people who shape the briefings, who relay our stories, and who, hopefully, help move the needle.

I told them about the million-dollar transplant surgery that saved Sadie’s life. About how grateful I was for our private insurance. And about the many families I’ve met since, who had to start GoFundMes to afford their child’s care. Because they didn’t qualify for Medicaid. Or because their state didn’t expand it. Or because their insurance just didn’t stretch far enough.

I also spoke about access to care. About how no parent should have to fight through paperwork while their child fights to stay alive.

Lifting the Stigma Around Liver Disease

One of the most painful things I heard when people found out about Sadie’s condition was:
"Did you drink while you were pregnant?"

I was the healthiest I’ve ever been. I was carrying twins and doing everything in my power to protect them. But that question revealed something bigger, so many people still hold outdated beliefs about liver disease. They think it’s self-inflicted. That it only affects certain types of people.

But the liver is your body’s largest solid organ. It regulates all the toxins and waste in your body. And when it stops working, everything is affected.

This is why we need education. Early detection. Less stigma. More support.

A Bill That Could Save Lives: Standing Up for the Ones Who Step Up

While we were on the Hill, we also advocated for a bill to protect living organ donors, those amazing humans who choose to give part of their liver or a kidney to save someone else’s life.

Most people don’t know that your liver regenerates. You can give a portion of it to someone in need, and yours will grow back. One dad I met gave part of his liver to his child. Within a year, his liver had fully regrown, and his child had a second chance at life.

But right now, some living donors risk losing their jobs or health coverage after their donation. This bill aims to protect them. Because no one should be punished for saving a life.

To the Mothers Reading This

If you’re following my story because of Sadie, or because your child is facing something similar, I want you to know that I see you. You are not alone.

And if you’re reading this with a cause in your heart, whether it’s liver disease, maternal health, or something else entirely, I want to encourage you to speak up.

You don’t need a foundation to back you. You can call your representative. You can write an email. You can share your story online or in your local community. Advocacy looks different for everyone, but every voice matters.

Whether you voted them in or not, they work for you. They are there to listen.

Every Day, I Think of the Family Who Saved My Daughter

I can’t end this without acknowledging Sadie’s donor family.

Because someone else lost a child… and that decision, made in the hardest moment of their lives, gave our daughter the chance to live. That’s not something I’ll ever take lightly.

I think of them every night when I tuck Sadie in. On every birthday. Every holiday. Every moment we get that they don’t.

That’s why I speak. That’s why I go to Capitol Hill. That’s why I’ll never stop.

Thank you for being here, and for listening.

Oh and if you would like to join me at the next Liver Walk or donate to support this very important cause, click the button below.

Join Me at the Liver Walk

With love,
Ellen

I don’t know about you, but sometimes the idea of planning a trip with kids feels like a lot. Even as they’ve gotten older, I still get flashbacks of traveling with strollers, diapers, sound machines, and all the gear. But now that Sadie and Stokely are six, things feel just a little lighter. This trip reminded me how far we’ve come. And how travel, while still unpredictable, doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Our Favorite Moments

There were so many highlights. The kids got to meet dolphins—kiss them, pet them, the whole thing. Watching their faces light up was worth everything. We lived in the pool during the day, ordered fries by the water, and had long, slow mornings where no one had to be anywhere. Just being together, unplugged and present, was everything we all needed.

And then, on the way home, something sweet and totally spontaneous happened.

Sadie and Stokely were not ready to go home. They were literally crying as we rolled our bags out of the resort. And right as we were boarding our flight home, Bakari turned to me and said, “We have a layover in Miami. Want to stay an extra night?”

We both looked at each other and said, “Let’s do it.”

So we changed our flight, booked a last-minute hotel, and turned a layover into one more night of vacation. We took the kids to dinner, walked the beach, and let them soak in just a little more magic before real life picked back up.

Side note: I learned a bit more about my twins. Sadie is more spontaneous and all in on a change of plans. Stokely, my sweet, structured little man, is more of the, “What are we doing? This was not in the plan!” 😂

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The Realities of Traveling with Kids

Let me keep it real: traveling with young kids, especially twins, still comes with challenges.

• You’re packing two of everything.

• You’re reading every label for food allergies (both my kids have food allergies).

• You’re checking every restaurant to avoid cross-contamination.

• And when you get home, there’s that one thing I always dread: unpacking.

But I’ve also learned a few things that make it smoother:

Let them carry their own backpacks. They’re responsible for snacks, coloring books, little games—whatever they want on the plane.
Always pack extra clothes in their carry-on. In case luggage has been lost or delayed, those backup outfits saved us.
Keep snacks on hand. Because delays happen, tarmacs happen, and hungry kids do not play.

Get this look for your babies.

Also, if you’re lucky enough to travel with another adult, don’t be afraid to build in grown-up time. During the day, we’re in full family mode. But at night, we bring a sitter so Bakari and I can have dinner out, play a little poker at the casino, and just enjoy each other as adults, not just parents.

My Honest Advice for Moms

If I could give one piece of advice to other moms, especially moms of multiples, it’s this:

Plan the trip.

Even if it feels like too much. Even if it’s just a staycation. Even if it’s an hour away. Your kids don’t need luxury. They need time with you. They need a change of scenery. They need memories.

Like their shorts? Click here.

The world feels busy. School, work, activities, meals, laundry, logistics—it never stops. But when you’re sitting on a beach with your babies, watching them laugh in the waves, it’s proof that the effort, the planning, the chaos—it all adds up to something beautiful. And it’s worth it.

So take the trip. You’ll be so glad you did.

With love,
Ellen

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A Love Story That Led to the Unimaginable

Tamron put it perfectly when she said, “You never know when you are setting out on a love journey where it’s going to take you.” I never could have imagined this journey that life has presented for Bakari and I. What was seemingly a fun and unexpected meeting at a mutual friend’s wedding, where my sister Ruby introduced us. It wasn’t an instant fairy tale—I had my guard up, and I wasn’t looking for anything serious. As a mother to my then three-year-old daughter, Kai, I thought that true love was a long way away for me. I did know that whoever I welcomed into my life had to love my child as much as they loved me. Watching Bakari interact with Kai changed everything. I saw his heart, his patience, his kindness. And in that moment, I knew—this was the man I wanted to build a life with.

Bakari says he felt the same way. He saw the mother I was to Kai and knew he had found the person he wanted to marry. Fast forward 17 years together, 10 years of marriage—as Bakari jokingly called them, “10 long years”—and we’ve built a beautiful life. But like all love stories, ours has been tested.

Facing the Unthinkable Together

A few short years after saying “I do,” we were faced with a challenge no parent is ever prepared for. Our daughter, Sadie, was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease that would ultimately require a life-saving liver transplant. Bakari described those 11 hours in surgery as feeling like an eternity—waiting, praying, hoping. Meanwhile, I was also planning my father’s funeral. It was the hardest, most surreal moment of my life. I tell everyone that I am not sure how I did not have an emotional breakdown. And yet, through it all, we held onto our faith, our love, and the belief that our baby girl was meant to survive.

And survive she did. Today, Sadie is thriving. She recently had her five-year biopsy, and doctors said her liver looks as if she never even had a transplant.

Billi the Brave: Advocating for Other Families

As parents, we know that our story isn’t just something that we went through but it serves a greater purpose if we share our experience to help other families. That’s why we are passionate about advocating for the American Liver Foundation and spreading awareness about biliary atresia through our collaboration with Billi the Brave.

Billi the Brave is a plush lion that helps children battling liver disease feel seen and supported. It’s now in 19 hospitals across the country, bringing comfort to children and families facing the same journey we once did. Sadie even got to record her own voiceover for the lion—another full-circle moment that left us in awe of how far she’s come.

Strength Runs in the Family

One of the most touching moments on the Tamron Hall Show was when Bakari asked Sadie to share the three words she hears from us all the time. Without hesitation, she answered:

Smart
Beautiful
Strong

She is all those things and more. And when Tamron asked Stokely where he learned to be brave, his answer made my heart swell—“From Sadie.”

Tamron ended our conversation with a powerful statement: “Strong men cry.” As a father, husband, and advocate, Bakari has never been afraid to show his emotions—because at the end of the day, family is everything.

The Power of Love, Resilience & Community

Our journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been filled with purpose. We share our story to bring awareness, to give hope, and to remind people that even in life’s hardest moments, love and faith will always carry you through.

If you want to see a peek behind the scenes leading up to this moment, read my other blog post about being a guest on the Tamron Hall show here.

Thank you, Tamron Hall, for giving us this platform to share, to reflect, and to hopefully inspire other families walking this path.

I’ve had the privilege of standing in rooms filled with brilliant, passionate women—whether at conferences, community events, or in my own home—and every single time, I walk away feeling energized. Inspired. Reminded of why it’s so important to keep showing up, keep using my voice, and keep pouring into other women.

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the women who paved the way before us, but it’s also a reminder of our responsibility to keep the momentum going. We are all part of the story. Our voices matter. Our presence matters.

Why Representation and Visibility Matter

As women—especially as Black women—we carry stories of persistence, innovation, and strength. We know what it means to turn obstacles into opportunities and create space where there was none.

However, I must say: it’s not enough to just be inspired by history; we have to take action.

• That means mentoring the next generation of young women so they see what’s possible.

• That means using our platforms—whether big or small—to amplify causes that matter.

• That means stepping into spaces that weren’t built for us and making room for others.

When I speak to women at events, I’m reminded that our power lies in community—in uplifting each other, supporting each other, and making sure that no woman ever feels like she has to do it alone.

Showing Up for Each Other—And Ourselves

One of the things I’m most passionate about is creating space for real conversations—about motherhood, ambition, health, relationships, and the balancing act we all try to manage. It’s why I loved being part of BET’s “We Got You Sis” event, where women gathered to share stories, learn from each other, and remind ourselves that we don’t have to have it all figured out.

When women gather, we don’t just talk—we build, heal, and inspire.

So my challenge to you (and to myself) is this: How are you showing up?

• Are you mentoring?

• Are you sharing your wisdom?

• Are you supporting women in your community?

• Are you taking care of yourself the way you take care of others?

Because when we show up for ourselves, we give others permission to do the same.

What’s Next: Continuing the Work

I’m excited to continue speaking at events that uplift and empower women—whether it’s about business, motherhood, advocacy, or simply finding joy in the journey. If you have an event, panel, or conversation where you think I could bring value, let’s connect.

And if you’re looking for ways to keep the conversation going, let’s do it together. Join my mailing list, follow along on Instagram (@ellenruckersellers), and let’s build this community of strong, ambitious, and unstoppable women—together.

Because when women show up, we all rise.

At Rucker Roots, we believe that when you support Black-owned beauty brands, you’re doing so much more than making a purchase—you’re investing in a movement that supports Black entrepreneurs, fosters innovation, and creates generational wealth. But we also understand the complicated dynamics at play, especially in today’s political and retail climate.

When you support Black-owned beauty brands, like Rucker Roots, you:

• Fund innovation in our community by ensuring that Black creators and entrepreneurs have the resources to create products that speak to our needs and our culture.

• Support Black entrepreneurs who are committed to changing the narrative and building legacies that impact future generations.

• Create generational wealth by directing your dollars to businesses that prioritize long-term success for our families and our community.

• Invest in quality products made by people who understand our unique beauty needs and who are dedicated to excellence.

However, I believe we need to be intentional and thoughtful in how we show up for these brands—especially in the wake of DEI rollbacks. Boycotts are not a new concept for our community; they are woven into the fabric of our history. My family’s history, in particular, is built on fighting for justice, equality, and uplifting our people, and I’m not opposed to boycotts in principle. But what I want to emphasize is that, if we are going to boycott, we must also commit to consciously supporting Black businesses. These businesses have worked tirelessly to secure a place on retail shelves and to earn their spot in the marketplace.

How does this look in practice? It means shopping on Black-owned businesses’ websites, supporting brands in stores that have not rolled back DEI initiatives, and prioritizing those businesses that are actively pushing for change. The truth is that boycotts, while effective in certain instances, often unintentionally hurt Black-owned brands the most. The administration’s policies seem to target our communities, and I truly believe this is an attack on all the progress we’ve fought so hard for.

It’s also important to acknowledge the financial ripple effect of these boycotts. Many people outside of the beauty industry may not realize that chargebacks on products (for returns, unsold items, or discounts) can occur up to two years after a product has been sold to retailers. This means that Black-owned beauty brands could feel the economic effects of a boycott for years to come—affecting not only their bottom lines but their ability to thrive and grow.

So how do we support Black businesses in this political environment? The answer is simple: we buy their products. Wherever you feel comfortable, whatever way you choose—online, in-store, directly from the brands, or from retailers who support DEI initiatives. We, as Black consumers, have the power to influence the market with the trillions of dollars we control. In 2023, Black consumers spent over $9.4 billion on beauty products alone. But despite this immense spending power, we are still spending less than 2.5% of that money on Black-owned businesses.

We have the power to change that. The next time you consider where to spend your money, remember that your choices have a far-reaching impact. Supporting Black-owned businesses is about using our collective economic influence to create a more equitable marketplace. We can push for change without sacrificing our communities, our businesses, or our legacy.

I am not telling you not to boycott, but rather to be strategic and intentional. Let’s use our buying power to support the brands that have fought to be seen, heard, and valued. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to be mindful of how we spend and where we choose to direct our dollars. If we want to see true change, it’s time to align our spending with our values.

It’s time to support the businesses that are fighting for us, the businesses that have built themselves against all odds. Together, we can create a future where Black businesses thrive, and our communities flourish.