What triggered your interest in holistic + wellness ? 

Holistic and spiritual wellness were subconsciously always in my life, trying to make its presence known but because I wasn’t aware not much could be done. My journey became intentional during my early twenties. I was battling depression, feeling very unhappy about my physical appearance and decided that I needed to make a change. Through the relationship I was in at the time, I was introduced to Dr. Sebi and the alkaline diet. The rest is history. 

 How did you incorporate this into your everyday lifestyle ?

As I began to heal my physical body and regain my confidence, I thoroughly enjoyed how eating well made me feel. So, I continued to find and stumble upon other spiritual ways to heal my mind, body and soul. I also graduated with my BA in Psychology and during my junior year of undergrad I became really fascinated by Art Therapy.

Having this knowledge helped to put some perspective onto my journey and I slowly began to implement that into my life. Creation as a form of therapy. I ate with vitality, created through depression, continued to research more and began to check in with myself. What’s chakra healing? How can meditation help? What makes me feel good? What doesn’t?

Through these self check in’s, I realized that the combination of taking care of my physical and spiritual body helped me begin my true healing journey. And I fell in love with that continuous process.

We’re there any challenges in the process of becoming a holistic and energy practitioner?

I recently began the process of getting my certifications so I can’t speak to that yet. But I will say that my biggest challenge in journeying through holistic and spiritual wellness was getting over the ‘questioning’ phase. Wondering if I am on the correct path and getting to a place where I now understand that the journey is not linear and that’s what makes it beautiful and worthwhile. 

Was there a large community and space for Black women to practice healing ?

When I first began my journey, I didn’t think so. Or rather, I should say I didn’t know about them. When I started my practices, talking about spirituality and holistic healing was very much looked at as “other”. Unfortunately mostly black and brown people from my [ personal ] experience simply weren’t receptive to it. I will say that now that I am 5/6 years in, I have seen a rise in sacred safe spaces that have been created for us, by us. For that, I am grateful. Especially as our people are slowly but surely coming over to the light side. 

 

How do you use your platform to promote healing preferably for women of color? Did you face any obstacles ?

Through my business, DE LA JIPI Apothecary, I create holistic bath and body products, healing jewelry and spiritual tools for people of color, predominantly for black women – to help them tap into their divinity and see themselves as ART. Because we are art.  I stay connected with my people. I create and create some more and educate when and where need be. I provide an open form of communication. And I spread as much light and love and joy as I can.

 Like, there are still black and brown people that aren’t receptive to what I have to say.There are white people that question why my business is for black people specifically, although, I welcome TRUE allies, which they aren’t obviously. Then there’s being West Indian and Central American and well, my family doesn’t always get what I do. And while people love trendy spirituality and health, many aren’t ready to put in the work needed to grow and evolve. But, I’m also learning as I continue my journey. That I am not for everyone and that is okay. So those things are no longer obstacles for me. They just are and that’s okay too. 

 

Did you ever struggle with your identity ? If so, how did you overcome those challenges? As a practitioner? 
I don’t struggle with it as much anymore. This is because I have identified what my true passion/s and purpose/s are and I have made the conscious decision to walk in that truth. Are there times when I feel like I should or could be further along? Are there times when I feel like I’m not doing enough or on the flip side doing too much? Are there times when I question if I should continue despite knowing that this is the path for me? Of course! Because ish gets hard AF and I’m human. 

But in those moments, I tell myself that IT IS OKAY to feel this way. I used to beat myself up for feeling down, not realizing that it only was adding salt to an open wound. Now, I let myself feel all the feels. I lean on my tribe for support. I check in with myself , because usually something has happened to make me feel this way. I dive deep. I pray. I rest. I cry. I write and I repeat all of these things until I am vibrating at a higher frequency. 

As someone that is Afro Latina? Not at all anymore. Growing up, seeing the ” typical” Latina, I definitely had a bit of insecurity. From the hair, to the fluent Spanish, to the skin tone and just overall not feeling Latina enough. Especially because people often counted Central Americans out of conversations as it related to Latinidad. And they still do lol! 

But on the flip side, I had the privilege of growing up in Brooklyn, a beautiful melting pot of cultures and diversity, where most people understood that cultures were intermingled and most often more similar than different. It also helped that while Panas were most times excluded from conversations around Latinidad, they were welcomed by the Caribbean and West Indian community. So while it was a bit saddening to not always be accepted by my other Latin brothers and sisters, I was always accepted by my West Indians and Central Americans and I’m grateful to have had that community growing up. 

 

How do you tie in your Panamanian and Jamaican roots into your holistic practices ?
Ahhhhh! Being Panamanian and Jamaican is the core of my being. It is tied into every element of my life. I love culture and I truly believe that my two are the best. Lmao! Seriously though, there are so many practices that my parents, grandparents and other family members do and did that they never realized were spiritual or holistic health based because it was second nature to them.

Prime examples: burning frankincense and myrrh to ” bun out ” the negative spirits and using Florida water. Making herbal concoctions to help heal the body and even something simple like SEA MOSS – which is a hot commodity now.  Then of course there are the beautiful simplicity of blasting Nando Boom and Beres Hammond (I’m an old school girl, lol) while I’m creating products. And making vegan versions of tamales and ackee and saltfish! Returning home to tap into nature and beauty of my homelands. Girl! I could go on forever.

What does being Afro-Latina mean to you and how do you celebrate your roots?

I love culture and I love mine the most. Being Afro Latina to me is LOVE and quite honestly, dope AF. Especially being Central American where we have so effortlessly bridged the gap between so many cultures and have essentially made our own. It means appreciating and accepting my diverse background. Understanding that duality is beautiful. I AM BLACK AND I AM LATINA and I NEVER have to choose one over the other. 

 

Celebrating being Afro Latina, West Indian, Central American is an unintentional every day practice. From the morning when I feel the urge to play salsa, reggae, pindin or soca to me deciding what to eat for dinner. From speaking to my Jamaican family and then hopping on the phone with my Panas.

It is knowing that Jamaica and Panama already had a beautiful and lengthy history and feeling blessed to have been born into that. Celebrating my culture looks like holding moments of gratitude, indulging in my cultural traditions, remaining connected to them and connecting with people like you who have created spaces for us to be SEEN. So, thank you!