Herbs, Slavery and America with Iya Sobande Greer

This session is a remembrance, a reclamation, and a reverent look at what our ancestors carried with them—spiritually, culturally, and medicinally—as they were forcibly brought to this land. While the title speaks to slavery, this session is not about focusing solely on the trauma. It’s about honoring the power and wisdom our people never let go of. We’ll explore what African ancestors brought with them—herbal knowledge, spiritual practices, communal ways of living—and how, in the face of displacement and violence, they adapted, listened to the land here, and continued to heal themselves and each other. We’ll hold space for the truth: that even in bondage, our people remembered who they were and used what they had to survive, transform, and pass on a legacy of resilience. With guidance from Master Herbalist Iya Sobande Greer, whose foremothers were healers, we’ll tap into the sacred lineage of Black herbalism and explore how these traditions remain alive in our bodies, our kitchens, our gardens, and our communities. This is a session to remember, reclaim, and rise. Let us honor those who came before by continuing what they started.

Key Outcomes

Gain insight into the historical context of herbal traditions brought to the U.S. by enslaved Africans.

Explore the preservation and adaptation of cultural memory and healing practices through generations.

Examine the impact of African herbal traditions on American folk healing systems.

Reflect on the resilience of ancestral knowledge systems and their relevance in modern herbalism.

Meet Our Speakers

Iya Sobande

Herbalist and Healer

5th generation Master Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist, and Wellness Strategist, from the Kentucky-Tennessee region. She is also a Desert Storm Veteran of the United States Army. In 1992 she made history by founding the first African American School of Herbalism in the United States - The NCB School of Herbalism & Holistic Health. In addition to her foundational work, Iya Sobande is the visionary powerhouse behind several transformative initiatives that include the Sacred Waters Retreat, Cook Cure & Conjure, Legacy Tea Blends, and The Afro Botany Immersion Conference. Each of these sacred projects reflects her commitment to holistic health, cultural heritage, and spiritual growth. Iya Sobande’s academic credentials are equally impressive. She is a proud graduate of Austin Peay State University, where she earned undergraduate degrees in Communications, Public Relations, and Health & Nutrition. Furthering her expertise, she is a Certified Natural Health Professional with the Trinity School of Natural Health. She also holds the title of Holistic Health Consultant from the International Board of African Thinkers & Healers Inc., and the Ghana Traditional Healers Association, under the guidance of the late world-renowned mentor and family friend Dr. Llaila O. Afrika ND.

Unveil the Hidden Stories of African Herbal Wisdom

Step into a session that honors the enduring legacy of our African ancestors—those who, even through displacement and deep loss, carried with them the sacred knowledge of the plants. Together, we’ll explore how this wisdom took root in unfamiliar soil, adapted with grace, and continues to shape healing traditions across generations. This is an opportunity to remember, to reconnect, and to walk forward with the guidance of those who came before us.

Herbs, Slavery and America

Immerse yourself in a journey of discovery, resilience, and healing. Register now to gain exclusive access to this transformative session.

$50.00

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