What’s in a name?

Everything. 

It is the first identifier of self.

It is an invisible bond that unites people, or a painful and constant reminder of cultural heritage systematically destroyed.

If you ask my mother why she named me Christina, she will tell you the sad story of standing at the birth certificate office in post colonial Kenya, where she was handed a bible and told to pick a ‘good’ (i.e. European) name. She could not give me an African first name. That privilege would only be extended to my middle name.

If you ask her what the meaning of Nkirote is (depending on her mood), you will get lofty explanations. The best range from, “A woman of standing in the community” or “A person of substance” …basically anything suggesting greatness. She may be biased. I have not asked my aunties or other Meru people for alternate definitions. I am at peace with her replies.

When I changed my business name from ‘Ruff Designs’ to ‘Nkirote Mugambi’ many years ago, I was met with some concern and confusion.

There was a fear that I would lose potential business for sounding too ethnic and the name would alienate corporate clients. There was mild irritation that in order to get to my website or send me an email, people would have to learn how to spell both my father’s and my name.

My identity is not a jacket that can be taken off when things get too hot. Who I am extends to, and through, my business.

The name selection was deliberate. It was a celebratory response to various inappropriate comments made over too many years. Here are just 3:

“You look so professional… now that you fixed your hair.” 

This client (after 8 years of collaborating) didn’t realize that I shaved off my dreadlocks to honor my father who had passed. It is not an actively practiced custom today, but there are many African cultures that shaved their hair to indicate there has been a death in the family. Changing my hair wasn’t a business decision, or an attempt to look corporate.

“You don’t sound African. Wow.” 

Sometimes new clients meet me for the first time as a referral on the phone. They have no idea how upsetting it is to hear what they believe is a compliment. It is not a compliment to suggest that sounding less African equates to more intelligence. Individuals with thick accents have mastered multiple languages, so for me not having one is a reminder that I did not grow up speaking my mother tongue. I battle with that.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were Black!” 

Before Zoom and Skype and Google HangOuts, interactions were limited to a voice on the end of a receiver, or name attached to email. One could remain invisible. This client and I were both surprised at our first meeting after 1 year of interaction. I was taken aback that he was visibly disturbed by my appearance, because I was looking forward to meeting the man I had laughed and cracked jokes with for months. He was just upset and closed the door of his home after accepting the holiday gifts I had been hand-delivering that Christmas. He stopped all projects.

Over the last few weeks, I like so many other Black people have been in a constant state of upheaval that oscillates from unrest and sadness, to anger and fear, to hope and determination.

I decided to put my frustration and sleeplessness to use by making updates to my website. I added a new section about me so that potential referrals can get a quick glimpse into who I am… I also added a huge photo of my face to clear any question.

The face of business is changing and I am encouraged to see corporations standing behind their Black employees and beginning the hard task of eliminating workplace racism in its many evil forms.

I am excited to witness the weight of bias being shrugged off by so many Black professionals, and to see the active support from allies who are helping amplify Black Voices.

Appreciation for referrals to my business has always been constant and I look forward to working with those who want to work with me.

https://www.nkirotemugambi.com/