Martha Mutale

Entrepreneur

I immigrated to Nova Scotia with my family when I was a year and a half. My mother is from Zaire which is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and my dad is from Zambia where my two older sisters, and I were born. My sister was born when we moved to Canada. We moved to Billtown, Nova Scotia, a small rural community in the Annapolis Valley, outside of Wolfville where both of my parents attended Acadia University. Fast forward to today. As I write this, I am now thirty-four, working full time, an established entrepreneur, and loving my life. I currently live in the north end of Halifax and I work as a housing support worker for Supportive Housing for Young Mothers (SHYM)

I am a proud Zambian Nova Scotian, and African Nova Scotian. 

What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?

I am most proud of myself. I have lots of reasons to be. I am not ashamed of my struggles. They have landed me amazing jobs in places I never imagined. I was diagnosed with ADHD at age ten. I didn’t understand what this label meant. I am the product of a failed education system, yet I’m a university graduate with years of experience in non profit, retail, corporate, and now I am in housing. I am so excited for this year. I got into my first artist residency, I’m working on lots of writing projects, and I am really enjoying the place I am at in my life. Self care is a large part of being successful.

What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?

Canada is Anti-Black. I am tired of us talking the talk and not walking the walk as a unified front. We already know what we need to do. On the flip side, I see a lot of growth and potential for the future based off of the new council we have. Watching history unfold was pretty damn cool. And I know some of the new council members from previous encounters and it’s time to see more racialized voices in positions of influence. 

What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?

I paid off twelve grand of student loan debt in about four years. After I cleared my debt, it literally felt like a load had lifted. I made a list of things I wanted to work on next. Make adjustments where you need to, and keep going. We need to identify how success looks to people, and work around breaking the barriers. I had a hard time finding work, however, once I landed on my feet, it worked out. Growth is linear, and aging, I think that was also a part of the journey and I didn’t think about what we put our bodies through for jobs, and the community and the impact. I now see a chiropractor, and actively take time to show love to my body. We can’t help anyone if our cup is empty. 

What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?

I was introduced to Octavia Butler a few years ago. Bell Hooks series on Love. I really enjoy Sci-Fi. Podcasts are new for me. I’m listening to My Body Politics, Sexually Liberated Woman. The Grapevine, it’s a YouTube channel, and #DeadASS by Devale and Khadeem Ellis. Currently, I’m reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. 

What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?

Sigh, 2020 was a total write-off for a lot of reasons. It was also the year I found out how easily triggered I get. I had a very racist experience that I shared in the NS Advocate last year (subscribe and donate to support local writers) about working in the shelter system. I had no idea how much I was struggling emotionally. It was at the beginning of this year when I broke down and cried uncontrollably for two days. Between the negativity being constantly shared on social media, the political chaos of both Canada and the US for very different reasons, it was too much for me. It’s so important to seek support when you need to decompress major events in your life to preserve your sanity, your ability to communicate with yourself, whoever is in your space, and to make sure you always remind yourself that you are important no matter what. 

Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?

I inspire me, people around me inspire me every day. My family, friends, coworkers. 

What would you have done differently?

I only wish I had discovered my creative side a lot earlier and just gone ahead with making art all my life. Story-telling is how I communicate. I know that now. I have lots of time though. I’m in my thirties, I’m ready for what’s next. 

What are the principles you live by?

My parents taught me kindness. I practice that as best as I can. Lead by example. That should be practised in real life. If we don’t do the work, including the messy work of unlearning and relearning, we will get a lot further.

How have you recovered from fractured professional relationships? What uncomfortable truths have you learned about yourself in those experiences?

People have disagreements. Learn to speak up. We are entitled to use our voice. Communicate when something is unsettling. Pick your battles. Have someone in your corner who can stand by you in solidarity. My mental health has taken hits because of moments that I knew I was not being treated right, and I did not know how to use my voice without coming across as an angry black woman. I have learned a lot of lessons. We forget how our bodies and minds respond to pain, trauma, or any discomfort. I learned the importance of safe people vs safe spaces. We have to learn to exist together even if we do not have the same ideas or beliefs. That is a part of life. 

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Entrepreneur, PT Hair-Stylist, Poet and Story-teller, Community Advocate, Ally, Feminist