Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikhaule Martin

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I was born and raised on the vibrant Southside of Chicago, where I spent much of my time at the public libraries, at church, and school, actively involved in my community throughout my early years until now. I had an incredible support system—church mothers, teachers, librarians, family, and friends—all of whom poured into me and helped shape who I am today. When I went to college, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to give back to my community in the same way my community had given to me. Community has always been at the core of who I am, so majoring in Public Health felt like a natural fit.

After college, I dedicated my work to the Black and Brown communities in Chicago, particularly on the South and West sides. My career has always focused on marginalized communities—I’ve taught high schoolers, worked with seniors in diabetes prevention, provided HIV case management, and served as a care navigator. My passion has always been to serve communities that I’m a part of and that reflect my own experiences.

A year into the pandemic, I found myself in a period of transformation. I left my job working in HIV, stepped away from the church, and began exploring my personal values and spiritual beliefs. It was a reflective yet isolating time, and I found myself longing for community spaces that embraced people like me, especially as I navigated my deconstruction journey. When I couldn’t find that space, I decided to create it for myself, which led to the founding of Pour Into It Media. Our first project, Project (De(construction, is a web series where people openly discuss their religious and spiritual journeys, no matter their beliefs or denominations.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think anyone who has worked in community health or launched their own business would tell you the same. Some of the biggest struggles along the way have been navigating transitions—both personally and professionally. During the pandemic, I went through a major transformation. I left my job, stepped away from the church, and had to reconcile my own spiritual beliefs and values. That period was both isolating and challenging, as I was searching for alignment in my work and in my life.

Another struggle has been working with marginalized communities, where systemic barriers and resource limitations are a constant reality. Whether it was teaching high schoolers, working with seniors on diabetes prevention, or managing HIV cases, I often found myself feeling frustrated working within a system that didn’t always serve them well. It’s hard to witness that struggle day in and day out, but it’s also what drives me to continue this work.

Starting Pour Into It Media and launching Project Deconstruction also came with its own challenges. Creating a space for people to openly discuss their religious and spiritual journeys—often taboo or deeply personal topics—wasn’t easy. But I knew the importance of creating that space for others because it was something I needed myself. Balancing that emotional labor with the logistics of running a media platform has been tough, but incredibly rewarding.

The road hasn’t been smooth, but every struggle has shaped the work I do today and has pushed me to be more intentional in the ways I show up for myself and my community.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

With Pour Into It Media, I have the opportunity to produce and create meaningful content that resonates with people who may not always see themselves reflected in mainstream spaces. With Project (De)construction, we tackle taboo and sensitive topics that many platforms and influencers often shy away from, and I’m incredibly proud of that. During our first season, we had conversations many of us didn’t feel comfortable having when we were younger in the church. It was truly beautiful to see people open up, be vulnerable, and share the more intimate parts of themselves. What makes it special is that you don’t just get one perspective—you get a wide array of voices and experiences, creating a richer and more inclusive conversation.

This year, we launched a season inspired by Octavia E. Butler’s work, specifically Parable of the Sower. You still get the deep, intimate discussions on religion and spirituality, but we’ve layered in more complex topics about how religion shapes people’s lives well into adulthood. We also explore themes from Parable of the Sower, blending discussions of fiction with deconstruction. It’s an exciting way to talk about religion and spirituality through a literary lens, tying it back to the world we live in and the challenges we face today.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?

Growing up, I was a quiet child and the only one in the house, so I had to get creative with how I kept myself entertained. I spent a lot of time at the library and became a huge bookworm. Science fiction and fantasy were my favorite genres, and I would read hundreds of books a year. By the time I got to high school, I became deeply involved in community work. I participated in after-school programs, shadowed professionals, and volunteered often. It was a great time—I was curious, inquisitive, and mostly kept to myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pourintoit.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhaulebereading
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikhauleBeReading/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@projectdeconstruction

Image Credits

Nikhaule Martin and Dr. Calynn Lawrence, Human Services Professionals Discuss the Relevancy of Formalized Education for Religious Leaders
Joey from Season 2 of Project (De)construction
Dr. Calynn Lawrence from Season 2 of Project (De)construction