Nathania Atkinson is a PhD Scholar in American Studies with a specific interest in Womanism, Entrepreneurship, Social, political, economic and cultural advancement, intersectionality, diaspora economies, powernomics and motherhood.
As a Creative Entrepreneur, Consultant and Host of Black Dossier. Nathania is a representation of interdisciplinary self-expression showcased via both her career and personal development over the past 15 years.
Nathania’s professional career began on the stage as a contemporary trained dancer before evolving into non-profit arts and community organisation founder, artist development, international creative agency founder specialising in artist/innovator development, costume designer and line producer for award winning short and feature films, artistic director spanning music videos, editorials, fashion shows, brand campaigns, international panelist and producer of heritage documentaries.
While building a solid and evolving foundation in cultural industries, Nathania a qualified Ilex paralegal, youth worker and NLP practitioner also developed a portfolio working with young people both at risk/vulnerable and talented. As creative facilitator, entrepreneur consultant and support worker she has been commissioned to work with numerous government, corporate and independent organisations.
Nathania’s unique amalgamation of professional practice and academia is also showcased in university lecturing, 5 years in criminology and recently embark in lecturing on the 1st Black Studies degree in the UK.
Now she is the founder of Her House of Mastery. An environment created to champion, preserve and support Black creative entrepreneurs and professionals and diaspora communities so that they may cultivate the courage and independence to curate a legacy of Mastery, Heritage and Bold spirit across industries.
Nathania is committed to creating services, presentations, content and programs for likeminded influencers, organisations, and leaders to come together and contribute to forward reform and development that speak to the advancement of Black communities.
Moving forward Nathanias interst are focused on advocating for clear and effective diaspora policy, increased professional presence in higher education, law and the cultural industries as well as wellness amongst sing parents and parent and teen relationships.
Please tell us about your childhood (where you were born, upbringing, parents , values instilled in you.
Born in Birmingham England as part of the Caribbean diaspora community. I grew up in a two parent home as well as amongst a village of family, both sets of grandparents, and abundance of uncles and aunts, one sibling, and too many cousins to count. The beauty of growing up like this is that you learn what you stand for, where your voice is and form and identity quickly in order to create your space within your own community ready for the outside world.
I was fortunate to be able to watch my mother work diligently as a professional and maintain a home and family as well as my father providing for and protecting us while becoming the U.Ks first Rastafarian lawyer with his own successful and impactful practice. My aunts and uncles demonstrated a mix of being both entrepreneurs and professionals. And my grandparents as West Indian migrants set the foundation for family, and ownership. So in reflection from a young child it was instilled in me to become! Whatever that may be for me I would become. And in becoming I would do it with excellence.
All of my life we have traveled nationally and internationally, been taught that the world is ours and we can go anywhere and become anything in it. Looking back my parents and village instilled a level of confidence within me that relied on my belief in myself and not the voices and opinion of others. It was instilled in me to focus on purpose, contribution and passion. To understand that sacrifice comes with passion and in order to step into my glory I would need to be prepared to go through something while demonstrating faith, diligence and the discipline to persevere no matter what.
By adult life I had witnessed this play out in my father’s life until he suddenly passed away, and life changed. It was my turn to endure, and demonstrate my faith, discipline, diligence in order to contribute, and live in my purpose, so that my daughter could witness the journey in preparation for her own becoming as I had.
The beautiful thing about looking back in reflection is acknowledging we were an extension of a risk and the faith to travel to a new beginning our grandparents. I was raised in the “hood”, but I loved the essence of community, I was the product of the coming together of a Christian family with pastors and preachers and a Rastafarian family and therefore allowed to explore my own spirituality. Both families in their own manner taught me how to be a warrior, a leader, a woman of her own standing. To see our progress as a family, to become, when the social political and economic is stacked against you, while navigating the continuous systemic battles to break us collectively and individually, yet we remained humble and confident, while loving, laughing, and continuously push forward is an abundance of blessings.
It is my foundation, Family, Purpose, Contribution, Excellence and Faith.
What challenges did you face growing up and how did you overcome?
I wouldn’t say I had any real challenges in fact childhood for me included, traveling, family days out to the zoo, theme park, other family member’s homes, the park etc. I was in different activities etc. However what I did have to come to terms with from a very young age was that I was never going to be in with the in crowd. I was a lone warrior and for the most part that is my natural characteristic. And not something I had ever worried about being amongst family.
However as I entered my teen years one of the first test of my becoming was on my self-belief. My ability to continue to have faith and trust myself as I had been taught. But as teenagers this was a little more challenging than it is as an adult. And in reflection I realised it wasn’t my confidence that was knocked because I knew who I was. However in knowing who I was in order to not offend, or intimidate anyone else I would dim my light. And in dimming my light I found myself misaligned with people places and situations which were not meant for me. So you learn to pivot and find yourself back to the light with a few scars.
It took conversations with my dad and close family, it took leaning into my spirituality and turning to the most high for answers, it took self-reflection and brutal honesty, it took meditation and returning back to my vision of becoming to get myself back on my path. And a commitment that I would never dim my light again.
You have worked in the Education sector, what challenges face the upcoming generation and how in your experience can we navigate this?
There is a multitude of challenges that you navigate while working and experiencing the matrix that is education particularly from secondary school to further and higher education. Issues of Adultification of Black students particularly Black girls, rules and punishment that disproportionately target Black students, school to prison pipeline, higher rates of exclusion that directly impact the progression of education into further and higher education and most importantly a practice of demotion and de motivation working the relationship of Black students and education. For example not acknowledging the knowledge, skills, progress of Black children in the same way that commend their white counterparts.
All of this issues independently and collectively have a direct impact on the number of Black students going to university as a start. Once those that do attend university arrive they are faced with another web of issues around retention and representation, support and relatability.
As Both a lecturer and a student I have not only seen the struggles of others but engaged in my own struggles with other members of staff speaking to me in a derogatory manner in making the mistake I was a student not a member of staff. As a student I have been told I was overly ambitious and too confident.
There are number of students that drop out of university or higher education based on not only the issues faced within education but because many meet at the intersection of economic and social challenges that are not supported by the university but come with the low income of being a student but also living a life beyond being a student, such as being a parent, having a job, traveling long distance, proving there is something to say about pastoral care, resources, engagement etc.
You have an interesting career Journey, what has been your greatest learnings and key benefit to your unique path?
The ability to evolve freely and authentically in my purpose. That is the greatest thing I see when I reflect on my journey so far. From professional trained contemporary dancer, to youth organisation founder, international creative agency founder, working in media, lecturing and now pursuing research and new elements that can contribute to the advancement of Black communities on a global scale. All have been a direct reflection of who I was and where I was holistically in my life at that time. However the most interesting revelation is that each step seemed as though it was uniquely placed as a prerequisite before the next. As the skills, knowledge, experience have all transferred to the next level. The key benefit of this journey is that I have been able grow in to and be comfortable in my own identity, my own view point and contribute that whole heartedly into everything I do. I will say that this route of traveling through the narrow gate is not easy, in fact much of it is travelled alone while people look at you in wonder until they see the end result. And ultimately you become much more resilient, confident, and secure in self without the need of outside approval.
You worked with Black creatives what is the biggest challenge in the creative industry for Entrepreneurs, how can they overcome this?
There is no one singular challenge for entrepreneurs within the creative industries. In fact my current research is demonstrating that there are an abundance of challenges to navigate dependant upon the intersection of which you meet. However common challenges tend to come from a lack of access, awareness and qualifying for resources human, financial, intellectual that can advance, support, and develop the venture and support the entrepreneurial journey.
On a more individual level clarity and consistency is key in vision, messaging, skills, content, networking etc. Each element of the journey requires consistency.
As it pertains to the social political economic and cultural challenges collectively we can participate and contribute in movements, reforms, peer support, shared resources and overall commitment to ethno- aggregation within communities, strive towards the development of quasi communities. On an individual level take your time to create something that provides a product, service or meets a need contributed to day to day life, sustainability, opportunities, overall advancement etc. Reason being that beyond monetary gain, that what you have created and put into the world is your legacy, and your tangible contribution to your community and this world.
So far what roles have you enjoyed the most and why?
There is no single role I have enjoyed the most. As in each role I have been blessed with so many opportunities, as a dancer I traveled, lived in another city, did shows, choreographed, shared those skills with young up and coming artist, worked in the community set up and organisation and lived an amazing period of life expressing myself through movement, and creative vision while meeting some amazing people.
Creating a youth and community organisation that facilitated the development of young people specifically young ladies with use of the arts, taking them to shows, creating summer and after school programs for them, growing with them was an amazing journey that gave me an extended collection of daughters.
As a women entrepreneur working in entertainment I was able to build an organisation, travel internationally, build an international network, inspire and help develop other women on their own path, work on short films, feature films, music videos, live shows, magazines editorials, photoshoots, fashion shows, and win awards as well as turning down opportunities that were not aligned with me.
As a lecturer I have worked with 100’s of undergraduates and experienced their growth and development. Tested my own knowledge, navigate the very white traditional spaces of academia. Be recognised as a lecturer who supports students reach their highest potential.
As a researcher/academic I have been able to raise tough questions around how we, as a collective, can move towards a proactive change across the diaspora. I have traveled internationally and nationally to share my research, ideas and concepts, network with elite well established Black scholars, professors etc. Speak at conferences and facilitate workshops.
And now as founder of Her House of Mastery and co-founder of Speak with my daughter we are embarking on a new journey of womanhood, motherhood, entrepreneurship, empowerment, legacy communication.
So I have loved them as they have offered travel, networks, friendship, business and academic opportunities, adventure and innovation and I honestly look forward to whatever come next.
What advice would you give young women interested in venturing in to the creative industry?
Be honest with yourself about why you are choosing the creative industries.
A passion, talent, creativity, innovation, a skill are normally the catalyst behind the why people have ventured into the particular industry, however the will to sustain the industry goes beyond this. In fact, purpose, business, change, contribution, wealth all begin to play their part so you should consider how they all come together.
Knowledge of the business of the industry and all the opportunities, professions, platform possibilities is also extremely important. In addition to this think about what your statement is, what are you trying to communicate, impact, and change.
However on a more independent level is this part of your purpose, what is your vision. It’s vital to have this as it will act as your blueprint when facing the “No” you will hear repeatedly, the shifts in direction the battles between monetary gain and purpose.
What is your favourite go to self-care activity?
Taking long baths, this has to be my absolute favourite self-care activity, music, candles, beautifully scented oils and natural skin and hair products. This is the time of the day where I am able to both unwind, meditate on how the day has played out but also look towards the next moment. Beyond self-care this is where I allow myself to be still, to be free, to reset. The wonderful thing about this particular self-care routine is that it works for you mentally and spiritually but also as a women gives you time to indulge in yourself and feel beautiful.
What does women’s voices mean to you?
A woman’s voice is the epicentre of our existence, vision and conduct as a community and as a collective. Women have so much power not to stand alone but to bring us back together in balance and harmony. As a womanist a black woman who believes in the social political economic and cultural advancement of both black men and women collectively I believe that the woman’s voice is as strong as the heart beating without it everything else stops.
