Biography

Born & raised in Allen County’s capital city, with Afro-Indigenous Heritage, Christian Totty often felt isolated as a Brown kid in a largely white community — but found solace in her work as a photographer while learning medicinal herbs & foodways from her grandmother, who was raised on a farm in Paulding County, Ohio. 

Passionate about theatre & social justice, Christian naturally gravitated towards art and cultural studies at Antioch College — including a transformative experience traveling to Mali, West Africa. Upon receiving her Bachelor’s degree, she worked in youth development in Yellow Springs before teaching abroad in a rural farming community in Akita, Japan. 

Following her return to the states, Christian worked in a youth services agency on the West Side of Chicago while attending a massage therapy program. This journey ultimately led her to work with the Chicago Freedom School & Project NIA as a Board member and Healing Justice Practitioner. 

After 5 years in Chicago, Christian moved to Austin, Texas to continue her education at AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine. During the program, Christian’s passion for herbal medicine and agro-ecology flourished.

Following graduation, Christian and her partner relocated back to Lima in order to be closer to family & to her roots. A few months after her return, Christian was accepted into an urban farming training program, Lima Sprouts, where she coordinated the CSA program, and managed the herb garden. 

In 2018 Christian launched LOAM Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, the region’s first Black & Indigenous-owned acupuncture clinic. She is currently a doctoral student at Pacific College of Health and Science, and remains active in her community as a board member with Crime Victim Services.

— Christian Totty, (LAc., Dipl. (O)M, MAc(O)M)

For more, visit Christian & LOAM Acupuncture at loamacupuncture.com, or in Lima!