Today we’d like to introduce you to Destinee DeWalt.
Hi Destinee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am the owner of Simply Destinee Unique – a Wellness and Healing Art Company. I started learning about natural ways to heal myself when I was 18 years old. I believe that we should not be dependent on corporations and pharmaceuticals for our health. With that mindset, I set off to learn about herbs and how to use food and nature to take care of myself. Fast forward a few years later, I began to spread my wellness message by teaching yoga for five years at The Tree South LA. They closed during the pandemic so to continue my message, I started an herbal tea business. When I was working my regular 9-5, I was drinking a lot of coffee and I began to have adverse reactions to the caffeine. I created something that would curve my coffee craving as well as balance my hormones, stabilize my mood, and nourish my body. Not Coffee. Not Coffee was a way for me to put my commitment to health in a product. I developed a coffee alternative made from dehydrated mushrooms, herbs, and spices. The idea was that if I drink something everyday, like coffee I should make sure that it is nourishing and healing. Right now, I am in Tanzania, East Africa gaining access to herbs that are grown on some of the richest soil in the world. No Coffee has taken a pause in shipping but, hope to be back up and running in April.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. We are still figuring out how to maximize our product. We find that most people are just now re-learning about the power of food and herbs and unfortunately looking for a quick fix. With the coffee alternative and herbal tea blends we realize that there will have to be a level of education for people to understand the value and the quality of our products. We hope that with our African connection, people will realize how dedicated we are to nourishing black folks.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been working as a Promotora de Salud/ Community Health Worker and Program Manager for six years. I have seen some things that are affecting the health of so many people in South LA. I realize we must be creative and consistent to solve these problems and the solutions must come from us. I consider myself a healing artist and use my education and creativity to heal myself and my community. Through music, dance, yoga, and herbs, I find ways to help the community heal and flourish. I am proud of my growth as a woman. I have worked in so many healing capacities. As a doula, I worked by helping women have safe and successful labors and deliveries. I’ve helped clients with asthma helping them identify triggers in their environments. I have been committed to the health of my community but I advocate for using nature as a guide.
What matters most to you? Why?
Autonomy. People should have control over their lives. When a society finds itself dependent on pharmaceuticals and corporations for survival and health, it has lost autonomy and freedom.
Pricing:
- Coffee Alternatives $28
- Tea Blends 15 -$18
- Wellness Consultation – $120
- Facilitated 90 Cleanse – $500
- Starter kit -$60
Contact Info:
- Email: notcoffee@blaqthread.com
- Website: notcoffee.org
- Instagram: n0t_c0ffee
- Facebook: not_c0ffee
- Youtube: Simply Destinee Unique
- Other: TikTok Simply Destinee Unique
Image Credits
Kumari Vision Alahfia Chase Photography
