We had the good fortune of connecting with BaNAuset KaNSekhmet and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi BaNAuset, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business was a combination of my own personal health struggles and my experiences as a Nurse. I had health challenges with chronic skin issues and womb wellness issues that I was seeking medical treatment for, but the more I dealt with doctors the more frustrated I became with the cycle of medications that never actually solved my problem. As a Nurse, I also watched my patients go through similar experiences and frustrations.

My journey to creating my business began when I took my health into my own hands and started learning about proper nutrition and holistic healing modalities. After a few years of putting what I had learned into practice, I learned that I had two small uterine fibroids. I was devastated, because I thought I was doing everything right. But, it also made me aware that I had more to learn. So, I sought the help of several African Holistic Health practitioners to bring my health into balance. I was able to eliminate every chronic health challenge I had experienced.

The most important thing I learned was that your healing is in your culture. Virtually all of the holistic health information I learned was rooted in African natural lifestyle. It became clear to me that the health disparities I witnessed in Black communities was directly related to a dis-connection from our culture. A deep fragmentation of self was created during the Maafa by being stripped of our native language, food, spirituality, history, and every aspect of our culture.

My business was birthed from my desire to teach my community the truth about health and wellness that I knew they would never learn in any Western medical institution. I saw the need for us to re-learn our self-care practices to achieve body, mind, and spiritual wholeness. Kemetic Wellness Sacred Healing Center was designed to cultivate wellness in our community using ancient African principles and healing techniques.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I want people to know about my healing art is that I am giving myself with every piece of work I do. I have been on this path since childhood. Where I am right now is a culmination of my natural, divinely-given talents and interests. Since as early as age 5 I told my parents I would be a “doctor”. I remember embracing my cousins in such a loving way that they would call it “hug therapy”. I have been reading self-help books and doing shadow work since age 10.

As early as my pre-teens I can remember daydreaming about doing community work, healing the generational curses I witnessed in my own family and helping to transform the conditions I saw in Africa. I did not know how I would do it, but that desire was always in my heart. Maybe I was a strange child. I don’t know what type of child thinks about these things, but it was a genuine calling that never stopped calling me.

In high school, I was inclined to join the Helping Hands club where I organized and participated in volunteer work at St. Patricks Nursing Home and P.O.T.S. Soup Kitchen in the Bronx. I continued my community service work in college as a member of C.A.L.I.B.E.R.; which is under the umbrella of Circle K International- the largest collegiate community service organization worldwide. At age 22, I graduated Adelphi University’s School of Nursing and began my career at Harlem Hospital Center in New York.

My work as a nurse is what really opened my eyes to the obstacles that have intentionally set us up for failure in wellness. This realization lead me to seek out cultural healing, which has pointed me towards the path I am on now. My journey has been a very difficult one, and my family has been my biggest test. I see why many people choose to numb themselves rather than to heal. Healing is painful, and it is incredibly challenging, but is it temporary and the finished results are worth every bit of that pain. I have no fear of pain because I made a habit of ruthlessly slaying my own inner demons instead of running from them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, I am new in town to Cincinnati, Ohio coming from Yonkers, New York. However, I have found a few places that I really enjoy and others that I would like to try out. We would definitely go to the gym for some fun workout classes. I have been enjoying the hip hop classes at Esporta Fitness in West Chester township. They also have pool and sauna where we would relax and have some fun girl-talk. There are some restaurants that I’ve been wanting to try out such as Green Papaya and Nanyea since I haven’t eaten out much at all since leaving New York. I would plan a visit to The Place, a local skating rink where I had an awesome time during the Winter Solstice. I would also loved for us to get a much needed massage and facial at Grace and Grit Spa. Of course, we would have to spend some time in nature. Glenwood Gardens has some uniquely designed exhibits and great walking trails.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I give recognition to my teachers who, I like to call the keepers of African medicine. My teachers include Mfundishi Jhutyms, Mutshat Shemsut Gianprem, Queen Afua, Dr. Akua Gray and Kajara Nia Yaa Nebthet. I also studied the teachings of the ancestors Dr. Llaila Afrika, Dr. Sebi, Dr. Amos Wilson and Dr. Frances Cress Welsing. They each played a huge role in my knowledge of African Holistic Health. The wisdom I gained from their teachings has transformed every aspect of my life.

Website: www.kemeticwellness.com

Instagram: instagram.com/kemeticwellnessofficial

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/banausetkansekhmet/

Twitter: twitter.com/kemeticwellness

Facebook: Facebook.com/kemeticwellness

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAoABIA4AtZ5yuaNhPZwoqA

Other: linktr.ee/kemeticwellness

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