Meet Mwita Chacha

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mwita Chacha a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mwita, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Finding your purpose is a lifelong pursuit. As long as you’re growing, your purpose should evolve. Here are some of the key moments that brought me to where I am today.

I grew up as a second-generation immigrant in southern Virginia, learning from my dad’s journey and example. He was raised in rural Tanzania, in a home built from trees and mud. But he pushed himself to create a life that was about more than just him. His work as a motivational speaker and author took him around the world, impacting thousands.

As a kid, I was fascinated by cameras and computers, making movies with friends just for fun. After high school, I decided to volunteer for HopeCo, a nonprofit my family started to serve the community where my father grew up. Back then, it was in its early stages, and I was creating videos to share its mission and get people involved. In those moments, I realized that storytelling could go beyond entertainment—it could inspire people to act, come together, and create an impact greater than themselves.

That’s when it clicked: film was my way to make a difference. Over time, that purpose has evolved, from filming short community stories to making documentaries that highlight the struggles and beauty of overlooked cultures. I realized that connecting people through stories—helping them see someone else’s reality—was powerful. It was never about a single moment when I “found” my purpose; each day, I learn how to better use what I’ve been blessed with to open doors for others.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Mwita Chacha, a filmmaker passionate about capturing the beauty, struggles, and everyday life of often-overlooked cultures. Drawing from my background and travels, I’ve developed a raw docu-style approach that allows me to create authentic and impactful films and commercials.

I founded Mwendo in 2011. An award-winning, full-service film production agency based in Washington, D.C., we specialize in projects that transcend physical and cultural boundaries. We create with a purpose: to share stories that foster empathy and unite people, highlighting the shared humanity that binds us all. We accomplish that through narrative films and documentaries to commercial and non-profit work.

I’m especially proud that our projects have helped raise millions of dollars for global empowerment programs, brought awareness to critical issues like climate change affecting Native Alaskans, and addressed the significance of historical tragedies, such as the Holocaust and its denial. My work has been featured on Max, Discovery +, CNN, VOX, PBS, and selected by Vimeo Staff Picks.

Right now, I’m excited to share that I’m working on my first narrative feature film, “TUMI,” set in rural Tanzania. This project is close to my heart and represents the next step in my journey, focusing on themes of resilience, heritage, family, and purpose. I hope to inspire curiosity in others, to consider alternative perspectives, and to learn about the vastly different experiences of our fellow human beings.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my journey, three qualities stand out as most impactful: curiosity, resilience, and empathy.

1. Curiosity: I’ve always loved to learn. New tools, concepts, or art keep me growing and excited to try something different. I’ve focused on storytelling, business, finance, and filmmaking tools. More importantly, I’m drawn to understanding the stories behind people, places, and experiences. That curiosity pushed me to travel, explore new cultures, and ask questions. For those starting out, pursue what makes you curious—it’s the easiest way to grow.

2. Resilience: Running a small business is hard. Making films is hard. There have been countless times when I wanted to give up or settled for less than my best. Often, I don’t feel the progress, even year to year, but I’ve stuck to my mission for over a decade. Only when I look back to the beginning can I truly appreciate how far I’ve come.

3. Empathy: This is important for everyone, but especially for storytellers. What we do goes beyond camera work; it’s about connecting with people and opening yourself up to their perspective. To their joy and their pain. To develop empathy, practice active listening. Put yourself in others’ shoes and seek to truly understand before responding or forming opinions.

Developing these qualities takes time and intention. Often, your biggest growth will come from your most challenging moments.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One of my favorite books from the past three years is The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns. It’s a short read, but it’s had a profound impact on how I approach my business.

The core concept I took away was emphasizing conversations over presentations. Presentations can often be compared against others and rejected without much thought. But a conversation? That’s where you can truly connect, explore possibilities, and decide together whether there’s a fit—without the contractor investing a lot of unpaid time into work that might not pan out.

This book also sharpened my awareness to double down on what we do best. It encouraged me to focus on our strengths and avoid being pulled in by every potential client looking for a proposal. Now, we’ve clearly defined what makes a good fit, and after one brief conversation, both sides should have a sense of whether or not we’re aligned. If it’s a yes, we move forward. If not, both sides can walk away without significant time or effort lost.

The book ultimately taught me that having the confidence to stand firm in your unique strengths and approach leads to better work and more enjoyable and successful partnerships.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mwendo.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwitachacha/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mwitac/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwitachacha/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Mwita

Image Credits

All images owned & taken by Mwendo LLC