nannan’s soul builder + nurturer

i’m nuru (noo·roo) ayoka (ah·yo·kah) àkànjí (ah·kun·gee), from first to last, my name is a combination of yoruba and swahili, meaning: “the child who shares light, joy, and awakening.” truly, there isn’t a name more aligned to what life has been cultivating within me.

I'm from port-au-prince, ayiti and now growing roots in New Orleans. i’m a butterfly; and healing heartist studying cellf thru spirituality, astrology, numerology, community building, intuitive movement, nutrition, heartistic expression, & herbal medicine. as a healing heartist, my heartistry is my offering towards inner-standing ourcellves, and thereby living fully, and with ease.

so this’ what happened…

after years of hair loss that could no longer be styled out of sight, i chopped it all off in 2009.

at the time, there wasn’t a natural on youtube that didn’t seem free.

so I journeyed along with ‘em.

curling products occupying cupboards, and countertops,

we were conditioning away our textures,

sleeking our edges straight,

styling in fear to protect our coins and egos,

then detangling social constructs out of our coils on wash days.

by 2014, my hair was itching and drying away products ‘til i began listening.

her mane objectives? nourishment, simplicity, gentleness.

so i began to get to know her. like, what makes her shine?

how can she thrive? does she retain moisture?

does she like coconut oil ? cocoa butter? tea tree essential oil?

experimenting love back to cells/self right in my kitchen, i mixed, and whipped.

from hair/ skin butters and oils, to deodorants, lip balm, to body scrubs.

i shared jars and bottles, recipes, and tips, hairstories, and facts with loved ones to teen clients: anyone who’d receive, really.

after much encouragement from some inspiring queens, i am courageously sharing my heartistry with you too: hand crafted crown to root medicines energized with nourishing ingredients and a whole lotta love AND INTENTION.

sooo, come along, journey with me, love! enjoy what serves, then share the rest!

light and love,

nuru the heartist