Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Inaya Zuwena. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Inaya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Austin Sober Social Club has been one of the most meaningful projects that I have worked on. What I crave most is a sense of community, a space where people can come together and nurture authentic connections without the presence of alcohol. I wanted this space but couldn’t find this space, thus Austin Sober Social Club was born in October 2021. The Club is an inclusive social space for all who are sober, sober curious, or alcohol-free. We’re all about building community and inspiring those authentic connections. I plan, coordinate, and host meetups and events several times a month throughout the city of Austin. I recently have started a similar project for our queer and sober community in Austin, Queer+Sober ATX. This feels especially meaningful as someone who identifies as both queer and sober, but also knowing the impact alcohol and alcohol abuse disorder has had on the LGBTQ+ community. It’s important that queer people who choose to lead an alcohol-free life know they are not alone and that there is a welcoming community.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was born and raised by a single mother in the Historic West End neighborhood of Atlanta, GA until the age of ten. Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I struggled with depression and anxiety in addition to coming to terms with a diagnosis of a neurological disorder at an early age. Growing up, my relationship with my father had been strained and there were often upsetting situations that would occur that I would later identify as physical and emotional abuse through behavioral cognitive therapy. A major point in my life was at the age of thirteen when out of desperation I swallowed a bottle of pills, spent some time in the ICU, and subsequently was admitted to a juvenile psychiatric hospital. I hoped this would be a turning point for me and a wakeup call for the adults in my life, however I would continue to battle with depression and anxiety throughout my teen years and as a young adult. After dropping out of college at 22, I moved back home and began to self-medicate in secrecy with alcohol. This progressed for several years until my alcohol abuse threatened to destroy a very meaningful relationship with the person who is now my life partner. Choosing sobriety for me was ultimately choosing life. It was choosing to lead a life of honesty, integrity, and love. With the support of family, loved ones, the online sober community, medication, therapy, and positive coping mechanisms, I have been able to maintain my sobriety and will celebrate two years in October 2022.

My journey to sobriety has inspired my passion for building community, especially for those who choose to lead an alcohol-free life. About a year into my sobriety, feeling stable mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially, I wanted to meet like-minded people and build a sense of community that was not recovery-based. Austin Sober Social Club was born in October 2021. The Club is an inclusive social space for all who are sober, sober curious, or alcohol-free. Our mission is to build community and inspire authentic connections without the presence of alcohol. The Club will celebrate its first anniversary this October, which is very exciting. We’re more than 3,000 members strong across all of our social media platforms. I plan, coordinate, and execute a handful of events each month from simple coffeehouse meet-and-greets to picnics to hikes to crafts and more. I want there to be something for everybody.

In September 2022, I started Queer+Sober ATX. As someone who identifies as both sober and queer, having this specific space in our community feels especially important. Alcohol and alcohol abuse disorder has unfortunately played a significant role in the LGBTQ+ community. To this day, a lot of queer events are centered on meeting for Happy Hour at a bar or involving alcohol in some way. I want those who are queer and alcohol-free to feel that they have a space too. What I have learned in sobriety is that it can often feel very lonely and isolating, but knowing that there are others on a similar path can be really powerful.

In addition to fostering an alcohol-free community, I am also a passionate cat lady. Between my partner and me, there are three cats. I have also spent time as a cat foster parent with Austin Pets Alive! and have rescued eight cats from the shelter over the last year. I am currently working toward starting an official cat sitting business under the name Cat Lady ATX. I really want to be known as Austin’s cat lady and I would take care of all the cats all the time if I could.

Being in Austin, TX with my partner and our three cats, building community through Austin Sober Social Club and Queer+Sober ATX, and offering my services as a cat sitter to the community feels like a dream. I intend to continue building on this foundation and hope to show others who were where I was two years ago that change is possible. Growth is possible. Sobriety in a world that values alcohol so much is possible.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There have been many low points in my life wherein I have felt suicidal, I have been unemployed, homeless, no money, and no food. There has been so much darkness in past, and to be leading a fulfilling life that brings me joy and purpose feels like the ultimate testimony to my resilience. In my sobriety, I have so much hope for the future and a passion for building a community for others who choose to lead an alcohol-free life and/or crave authentic connection that I truly believe cannot be obtained through the lens of alcohol.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to create a space for anyone who wants to find community without the infiltration of alcohol. I am driven to show others that there is space for them. You can meet new people and have fun without alcohol. You can build community and succeed in creative and entrepreneurial endeavors without alcohol.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/austinsobersocial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/austinsobersocialclub
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/atxsobersocial
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@austinsobersocial https://www.meetup.com/austin-sober-social-club/?_cookie-check=LYULhDj704CAWjQT https://www.bonfire.com/austinsobersocialclub/