Community Herbal Gathering

The Community Herbal Gathering (CHG) is a new initiative developed by Prof. Shelby Pumphrey (Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Pan-African Studies) and co-sponsored by the Pan-African Studies Department and Play Cousins Collective, a local community organization rooted in African ancestral methods of healing, resilience, and liberation.
Community Herbal Gathering

Participants of the Community Herbal Gathering learn about medicinal herbs, essential oils and containers with professional instruction

The Community Herbal Gathering (CHG) is a new initiative developed by Prof. Shelby Pumphrey (Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Pan-African Studies) and co-sponsored by the Pan-African Studies Department and Play Cousins Collective, a local community organization rooted in African ancestral methods of healing, resilience, and liberation. The CHG is a series of free medicine making workshops focused on Africana herbalist traditions. It functions as an empowering space that enables Africana people to tap back into their ancestral traditions on their journeys toward healing and wellness. Funding from the Office of Community Engagement and the Kentucky Foundation for Women made it possible to offer two free hands-on medicine making sessions on February 11 and 18. Participants were provided with professional instruction, all supplies, like medicinal herbs, essential oils and containers, as well as childcare. Over the two sessions, participants made fire cider, tinctures, herbal blends, and infused oils.