Our Story
In the Fall of 2006, as a freshman at St. John’s University, I was struggling to find ways to care for my skin and hair. Growing up, like many of us, I used products in the ethnic haircare section that were considered “natural”. However, I found that they didn’t do a great job of treating my dandruff and eczema beyond a few hours. As I did some research, I learned that many of these products contain ingredients like parabens, sulfates, alcohols, and petroleum by-products that can actually make matters worse by drying the skin & hair and clogging pores. I started looking into alternatives, and making greater use of shea butter and African black soap. These really did the trick for me, and I started searching for ways to extend their benefits. My reading took me down the path of plant properties, herbal infusions, and some creative combinations. I started making my own whipped shea body butters, and even figured out how to break down the African black soap to create a liquid soap for easy application. Friends and co-workers started asking to buy these, and they became rather popular. Years later, after my partner and I moved to Brooklyn, I came up with a name, got my business documents together, and started my first website and Etsy page.
This offering has gone through several names in its many iterations, evolving as an expression of my own identity has morphed into a service responding to the needs of a community. You may have encountered us as Wazojan Enterprises or Hush Harbor Herbals, but I welcome you to get to know us as Altared Roots!
In the 15 years since I started, I’ve enjoyed the guidance of many wonderful teachers. My studies have spanned gardening & permaculture, foraging & herbalism, community organizing & activism, Hoodoo history & culture, birthwork, divination, and more. Every step of the way, I have tried to hold an understanding of my role in the community, following the examples of my Elders and teachers as I envision a life of service to community and culture. The more I learn about myself and the peoples from whom I descend, the more committed I am to making myself available as a steward of Ancestral wisdom to help guide and protect my neighbors and the generations to come. I hope to use this blog to share some of what I’ve learned, and to promote & perpetuate a liberatory exploration of Self, guided by the principle of Sankofa*.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey!
Peace & Power
~Gerard (aka Onku Bird)