The Advocate
- What drives your commitment to showing up for others?
Honestly, I think I’m driven by the belief that people deserve to feel seen before they feel “sold to,” “fixed,” or “managed.” Whether I’m producing an event, building a campaign, consulting with a founder, or simply checking in on a friend, I care deeply about creating spaces where people feel safe enough to shine.
A lot of the women I work with are carrying businesses, families, dreams, and exhaustion all at the same time. I understand that because I carry a lot too. So my commitment comes from knowing how powerful it can be when someone says, “I see your vision, and I’m going to help you carry it for a moment.”
Also… I’m Trinidadian. Showing up for people is practically a love language and a competitive sport in our community. There will always be food, advice, overpacking, and someone reminding you to drink water while minding YOUR business.
2. What does “nurturing through action” mean to you?
To me, nurturing through action means love that moves. It’s not just saying “I support you,” it’s sending the follow-up email, making the introduction, checking the details twice, creating opportunities, advocating in rooms people aren’t in, and making sure everyone ate before you sit down yourself.
It’s the quiet work that often goes unnoticed. The calendars, the calls, the emotional labor, the creativity, the care.
As someone who works in branding and event production, I’ve learned that nurturing can look glamorous on the outside, but most of the time it’s deeply intentional behind the scenes. It’s creating experiences where people feel considered. It’s making sure Black women especially feel luxurious, protected, celebrated, and soft without having to earn it first.
3. What’s one barrier you’re actively working to break?
I’m actively working to break the idea that Black women have to choose between softness and success.
So many of us were taught that survival is the measure of strength. That burnout is normal. That overworking is proof of commitment. I want to challenge that in my work and in my own life.
I want the businesses I build, the events I produce, and the communities I nurture to remind women that they deserve ease, rest, beauty, support, and joy while still being ambitious. We do not have to suffer publicly to prove we are worthy privately.
And personally? I’m still learning that I don’t have to carry every single thing by myself. Whew. Growth.
3. How do you stay grounded while doing emotionally demanding work?
I stay grounded by returning to simple things that remind me I’m a person before I’m a producer, strategist, or problem solver. Good food, laughter with friends, skincare rituals, music playing too loudly in the kitchen, prayer, long voice notes, fresh notebooks, and moments of stillness all help bring me back to myself.
I’ve also learned that boundaries are a form of care too. You can’t pour into communities, clients, and causes from an empty cup and a half-charged laptop.
And truthfully, seeing the impact of the work keeps me grounded. Watching women feel celebrated, confident, connected, or inspired after something we created reminds me why I do this in the first place.
4. What impact do you hope your work leaves behind?
I hope my work leaves people feeling more possible.
I want women — especially Black women — to look at the spaces, brands, events, and communities I help create and think: “There’s room for me here too.”
I hope the impact is bigger than aesthetics or campaigns. I want it to be about access, confidence, opportunity, softness, visibility, and legacy. I want people to remember that they were cared for.
And if I’m being completely honest, I hope my work also leaves behind a reminder that kindness and excellence can exist in the same room. You don’t have to become cold to become successful. I think the future belongs to people who know how to nurture and lead.
Name: Nneka Watkins
Role: Strategist & Founder
Who I Nurture: Myself & Women who look like me
4 songs on repeat?
Buju Banton - Butterflies
Wale - Like I (with Andra day)
Jay Z - Already Home (feat. Kid Cudi)
Olivia Dean - Let Alone the one you love