Meet Khetnu Nefer: Certified Holistic Health Practitioner & Founder of The Gullah Geechee Herbal Gathering

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

Hi Khetnu, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I want my legacy to be that I inspired Black women and the African American community at large to make healthier informed choices and that I provided them with quality, affordable and life changing services, products and events, like the Gullah Geechee Herbal Gathering. I want people to remember that this passionate, caring and courageous Gullah Geechee woman/holistic health practitioner did what she could to be a resource and a beacon of holistic health and wellness for her community so that they knew why being healthy was important and how to create their own unique healing journey.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own a mobile holistic health and wellness practice for women in Washington DC called A Soulful Touch Wellness. I decided to offer mobile services because I wanted to take away the objection that they didn’t have time or money to travel to me for holistic health services. What sets me apart is that I am passionate and as I uterine cancer survivor, I know first hand what african american women face when it comes to the disparity in health care. I use my practice to help bridge the gap. I am proud that I wrote and se-f published two books, 28 Days to A Soulful Life and the 28 Days to A Soulful Life Guided journal in 2020. I also founded a one day herbal conference for Black and Indigenous herbalists called the Gullah Geechee herbal Gathering in my hometown of Charleston, SC in 2020. How I got to where I am to day Business wise was hard work, trial and error, being coachable and taking some risks. I’m not quite where I want to be in my business, but I am grateful for the success I have had in my business this far. I can definitely say that it wasn’t easy, but I making my way. One of the hardest challenges that I faced was having to close down my first brick and mortar office back in Charleston. I wasn’t seeing enough clients to make my rent and I eventually had to make the hard decision of shuttering my doors. It was a humbling experience because I felt like a failure at first, but I eventually realized that it was just another life speed bump and I that I would recover, and I did. Honestly because of that, I decided to make my business mobile so that I can lower my overhead and be more accessible. Some of the major lessons that I learned along the way in my business are: Believe in yourself and be confident in your work. You can be charitable and respected at the same time. always set your boundaries and stick with them. Always be marketing, because you never know who you will encounter that could take your business to the next level. Learn who your audience is and cater to them, not everyone is your client. Be confident in saying that you don’t know something, and be humble enough to take constructive criticism. What I want the world to know about my brand is that I provide holistic health and wellness solutions with a touch of soul. That means that I inject heart centered care and love into my business and into my clients. I want them to feel the love and joy that I put into each product and service that I provide. I want their time spent with me to be an experience not an event.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I am a transplant here to Washington, DC so I am still learning the city myself but I can definitely show them a good time. First off we would have to visit what I call the “Blacksonian”,lol The National Museum of African American History and Culture. This is a must see for every black person in America in my opinion. To see our triumphs, tribulations and contributions to this country documented in one space done so beautifully is awe inspiring. I eat a plant based diet so my food options for us would be based on that. Some of my favorite restaurants are: Busboys and Poets which offers a diversified menu for everyone. It is black owned and I like that they embrace cultural diversity in their staff. The food is amazing and they also feature a bookstore inside in each location. Another choice would be Senbeb Cafe, which is another black owned plant based restaurant in the area that provides a vegan soul food flare. Their mac and cheese is the best vegan one I have ever had. We would have to hit one of the many amazing Ethiopian restaurants in the area, their food is flavor full and affordable and you can get plant based or meat options there as well. I would also take them to Appioo african Bar and Grill for some tasty Ghanaian food. I really enjoy their okra soup dish Nkruma Nkwan. As far as things to do: I would take them roller skating at the Temple Hills skating ring, I take classes there on saturdays with a black owned company Rolloway productions that is fun and affordable. We would definitely have to hit up my love’s weekly African drum and Dance Class with him and his brother’s collective group the Ni Dembaya African Drum and Dance Ensemble. The classes are on Sunday at Creative Suitland in Suitland Maryland and features drumming and dance lessons from countries in West Africa. If it’s warm outside, we can check out the weekly community drum circle on Meridian Hill park also known as Malcolm X park to the real locals. This is a big community gathering full of music, art and a diverse group of people. Of course we would have to do the touristy thing and check out the local monuments especially The Dr. Martin Luther King one and the Lincoln Memorial. The view from the Lincoln Memorial is breath taking. We can go for a hike in Rock Creek Park, which is expansive and beautiful. Those are just a few of the things that I would share with them. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout my complement and partner, Yuma “Docta Yew” Bellomee. He has been my cheerleader, sounding board, critic, and homie lover friend. I am grateful for his love and support.

Website: www.asoulfultouch.com

Instagram: instagram.com/asoulfultouchwellness

Facebook: facebook.com/asoulfultouch

Image Credits
Kim Alston Craven Photography