It's Time to Teach Black Herbalism, Ya'll.
Born out of Hillmantok University, this is a class for those who desire to learn more about Black herbalism and how it is applied in modern, liberatory context.
What a WEEK. I posted on TikTok that I would not be posting a class on Hillmantok University. It’s such a fire concept! There is a website now and an entire movement of education for people and I think that is fantastic. We need this. Emphasis on WE. So why am I not teaching this course on TikTok informally?
Herbalism for Black and Indigenous people is a liberation tool. It is a deeply ancient practice that has sustained us when society did everything to make sure that we would not be able to survive. So historically, what has liberation-based education looked like? You only know if you were there because it was clandestine. Laying out the plans for a movement of any sort in the public eye is counterintuitive to the mission at hand. Remember, I said spirit said leave the tiky alone - so that’s what we’re doing.
I’m sure someone is saying: but Substack IS public. To a degree. This course will be for subscribers (as has been the case from my Substack’s inception). This allows me to be able to moderate the community that is here. However, this is also a 101 level course meaning that this is just the foundation, entry level knowledge. The 102 level course will move to a different platform.
Your Professor
If you’re new here, I’m Donette. I’m a Black and queer clinical herbalist. I completed the Apprentice, Clinical, and Plant Spirit Medicine programs at the Land of Verse. Informally, I studied spiritual herbalism for about 10 years alongside a string of random classes. I am also the Founder of the Black Herbalists Collective, a professional organization for Black herbalists.
Spiritually, I am a hoodoo, more specifically a poisoner. I am an aborisa in the orisa traditions of Lukumi and Isese both, which a discussion for another day. My Ifa name is Títílọlá or Títí or Lọlá, for short. Professor Titi kinda eats! I am a medium as well, meaning that I am able to see the unseen and channel those energies.
I am Leo sun with a fire moon and water rising. I love matcha and all things aesthetically pleasing. My expectations for anyone who takes this course is to be curious, informed, and walk away knowing that being in relationship with plants may not be everyone’s calling, but can be a learned practice for daily living and liberation across multiple levels.
What to Expect if You Enroll in Intro to Black Herbalism Praxis 101
The next few uploads for the class will have the following:
Course syllabus
Topics will include Black herbal history, spiritual application, kitchen herbalism for Black households, and more.
Suggested supply list (you can still take the course without it)
Book list
The format of the course will be a combination of written, video, and audio materials.
Any space I maintain is safe for all - the queers, the dolls, the swerkers, the kinksters, and beyond. This education is inclusive and there will be no tolerance for hate of any format.
Is This a Certification?
No. I am not a formal education institution or providing herbalism training for certification as a community or clinical herbalist at this time. However, this course can be formally documented and included in your education hours as you work toward finding a full program or in general record keeping. You can absolutely say that you completed Intro to Black Herbalism Praxis 101 by Donette *last name*, Clinical Herbalist (xx hours). Total hours will be provided once the course is totally uploaded - be patient with your girl! To note, I have my certifications and I still document every second I spend learning to submit later to the American Herbalists Guild. This is a normal practice - not every class is a certification course or program.
As a another example, there are tons of community herbalists who can list what classes they took and how many education hours they have despite never setting foot in a long-term program. Always remember: certification is fantastic (mandatory to be a clinical herbalist) but does not stop learning.
IMPORTANT: this class is not to prepare you to see clients, start a business, or anything of the sort.
I’m excited for you to enroll and I look forward to seeing you in class! Leave your questions in the comments, herbalists!