In honour of Black History Month, we’re featuring the stories of Black team members. Meet Communications Coordinator, Fafali Mawutor.
Q: What does a day look like in your life as a Communications Coordinator at pipikwan pêhtâkwan?
A: My working day usually starts with me attending our daily team check-ins/sharing circles. Once the meeting is done, I review my tasks in our project management software then I plan what I will work on for the day. Sometimes I attend internal and external meetings with colleagues and clients. To end the day, I work on smaller tasks and leave bigger ones for the next work day.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your role?
A: I like that my role as a Communications Coordinator involves supporting Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada. Working to break systemic barriers are not everyday concerns for many companies. I am grateful that at pipikwan pêhtâkwan, we can have open conversations and work to address issues that Indigenous, Black and people of colour face. My job allows me to leave work at the end of the day, knowing that I contributed to change in a big or small way.
Q: What’s the most important part of Black History Month to you?
A: The most important part of Black History Month is reflecting on Black individuals thriving in their careers. It’s empowering to see individuals like Michelle Obama, Tarana Burke and Serena Williams succeed despite the odds stacked against them. I look up to these individuals as role models and hope that one day, my success story will inspire people just as they have.
Q: How will you be celebrating Black History Month?
A: I will celebrate Black History Month by watching movies, TV shows and reading books. I cannot wait to watch Devotion and Abbott Elementary and start reading The Vanishing Half!
Q: Who is an inspirational Black figure and why?
A: An inspirational Black figure to me is Kwame Nkrumah. He was a Ghanaian politician, political theorist and the first President of the Republic of Ghana. Under his leadership, Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to become independent from British colonial rule in 1957. After Ghana gained independence, Nkrumah continued to advocate for other African countries to gain independence from colonial imperialist powers.
Q: Tell us about a memorable moment in Black history that influenced or shaped your career/life.
A: When I heard that Netflix’s former Chief Marketing Officer, Bozoma Saint John, is a Black woman of Ghanaian heritage. I couldn’t believe it! I never imagined that someone with a similar ethnic background could make it that far in their career. People like Bozoma Saint John motivate me to strive for more and never settle for less.
Q: Tell us about one of your favourite aspects of Black culture.
A: One of my favourite aspects of Black culture is its impact on the music industry. I think of artists like Beyonce, SZA and Stromae, whose songs reach the top of music charts as soon as they drop!. This is because they can sing about something many people can relate to and turn it into a work of art.
