We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Natalie Lumpkin-brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Natalie below.
Natalie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
There are so many things to balance and consider when you are the only one in a room that looks like you. Maintaining professionalism and mutual respect while also showing up confident in your area of expertise and able to influence ideas are all of basic things we have to manage. When you are the only woman, and the only Black woman it means also having to work against unconscious biases, stereotypes and the labor of avoiding unfairly applied labels like “aggressive” when others are praised for their “determination”.
It’s been important for me to understand the dynamic of my team, my leadership expectations and the individual working styles of my peers. By understanding my network I’ve been able to navigate difficult scenarios without emotion. Also keeping the big picture in mind has always been helpful. Delivering the best experience for my customers, and reminding the team of this helps us refocus on the purpose of our work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My Vision: I believe spaces should exist for Black Women to recover our wholeness, for us to see ourselves reflected in each others eyes, where we can be reminded and reconnected to our birthright.
Introduction: Hi, I’m natalie. I’m a coach and curator of creative healing spaces for Black women. Spaces where we rest, play, create, and learn how to care for ourselves as we navigate environments not always meant for us. We identify and work through the narratives imposed on us by the systems we live and work within, and learn how to incorporate more softness into our lives.
My story: There I am, in this minimalistic conference room, immersed in the relentless pursuit of innovation, striving to redefine how people interact with their devices. Yet, in this beautiful yet high-pressure environment, a jarring truth often pierced through the facade of progress: I was alone. As a Black woman, my presence in these spaces was a rarity, a stark reminder of the underrepresentation that permeates many industries.
Things exploded for me during the racial unrest in the summer of 2020. I realized that I had relinquished parts of myself to accommodate unacceptable behavior. I had done the thing we’re told we had to do – worked harder, held back voicing the impact of racist comments to avoid being labeled angry, and contorted myself into someone I didn’t recognize to make the rooms I was in comfortable. As the weeks progressed I was faced with a workplace culture that felt increasingly unwelcoming, so I sought solace in my community. I established online forums for Black individuals nationwide, and we grappled with the harsh realities unfolding in the country and within our professional worlds. Guiding these conversations helped me realize I wanted to become a coach.
As I learned more about coaching, I faced new challenges. Classes that required authentic vulnerable sharing were mostly led by white facilitators and attended by white participants, it was hard to feel understood. But in classes led by Black women who put our voices first, I felt seen. When groups were more diverse, even all Black we found strength in how we were able to share our experiences and see each other without the worry of how we would be perceived. Growing up, I learned how to navigate a world that often didn’t accept me. Many Black women face this too. The environments we find ourselves in require us to be “on” in a way that costs us parts of ourselves over time, and I was personally in need and ready to create something that allowed us to safely pause, heal, and recognize our true selves and purpose.
In November of 2023 I posted “When was the last time someone created a space safe enough for the beauty of your soul to be seen?” on my social media account. I think this was when the idea for Gather was born.
Gather is a sanctuary where we come together not only to disconnect but to rediscover our essence amidst the beauty of our shared stories and experiences.
We gather to replenish our spirits, embracing play, creativity, and introspection. Spending time in spaces where we are reflections of each other, we emerge as unapologetically whole individuals, armed with the tools and resilience to navigate any environment with grace and authenticity.
Gather – Coming in the Fall of 2024, where strangers become sisters and we return to the world united in our truth and unwavering in our strength.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three most important qualities or skills that have worked for me are trusting and following my intuition, having a trusted support team (mentor/coach or therapist), and courageously facing fear head-on.
In professional spaces, healing spaces, and coaching I’ve learned to listen and follow my intuitive knowing. I’m analytical, and logic-driven by nature, but I’ve found that when I listen to my gut, and honor what my body is telling me, I’ve always landed on my feet. Intuition is that little voice, the deep knowing that many times we ignore and revert to over-analyzing our way through life. I believe our intuition is always available to us. It takes a regular practice of getting quiet – maybe through prayer or meditation, and trusting and following the guidance given. It’s a skill that you can start to develop today.
Having a trusted coach or mentor to work through challenges, or formulate ideas with is extremely beneficial. Being able to talk through a situation with someone who knows you, but can also provide objective feedback and perspective that you may not have considered has supported my growth in times of transition. Black women don’t always make time for support in this way, and I would love to be a part of changing this for us by providing spaces where we come together and safely have conversations that allow us to see that we aren’t alone, and we don’t have to struggle through things on our own. Being able to build a trusted support team is a skill I know has been foundational to many other changes I’ve made in my life.
The final skill is facing and tackling fear. This one is hard, and it takes courage to push through fear every single time. Our survival response is conditioned to freeze, run the opposite way, or try to fight against fear. A helpful tip I received from my support team is not ignore the fear, but to honor the feeling of being afraid and then try to not only consider the negative side of what may happen, but also consider the best outcome on the other side of the fear. Writing has been the tool I’ve used to work through phases when there has been a lot of fear. Being able to write out all of my thoughts, feelings, and potential outcomes usually frees up space and energy to take brave steps forward.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
The Gather Retreat for Black Women is looking for partners and collaborators.
With our focus on connection, storytelling, creativity, play, and rest we are looking to collaborate with Black practitioners and Black business owners who can support us with connections to luxurious vacation homes in historically Black areas, who can support us with healthy food catering to keep us energized, and practitioners who can help with body practices and programs to keep us balanced.
We are seeking partners and volunteers with open minds, flexible schedules, and dedication to Black Women’s wellness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theartofwholebeing.com
- Instagram: @theartofwholebeing.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalielb/
