We recently connected with Gabriela Trejo-watkins and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gabriela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.
Starting Oya Matamba was both thrilling and challenging. Before founding the organization, I spent years as a middle school math teacher. My passion for education shaped my approach in profound ways and taught me the value of patience, resilience, and connection—all of which became foundational when I embarked on building something of my own. I wanted Oya Matamba to be more than just a community organization; it needed to be a place where Black women and youth could find empowerment, healing, and cultural connection through Capoeira, yoga, and educational programming. This vision was my guiding force from day one.
In those early days, one of my first steps was to define Oya Matamba’s mission and vision clearly. I knew I wanted to create a space where Capoeira wasn’t just a physical activity but a cultural and ancestral experience that allowed people to connect deeply with their roots. This meant taking the time to refine our goals, which ultimately set the foundation for everything we built after.
I quickly realized that I couldn’t do it alone. I needed a strong support network. I reached out to mentors, local organizations, and community members who believed in our mission. Establishing these relationships wasn’t just about practical support; it was about creating a community that shared the vision and could offer guidance, encouragement, and sometimes just a sounding board. And then, of course, came the financial challenges. Finding funding was difficult at first; every grant application, donation request, and community connection became essential. We operated on a lean budget, and each small success brought us closer to sustainability. Learning to navigate this process was critical, and it also taught me the importance of making our goals clear to potential supporters and collaborators.
One of the biggest challenges was balancing the administrative work with the creative and mission-driven aspects that I loved most. Running Oya Matamba required so much behind-the-scenes work—from financial planning to organizing classes and securing venues. It often felt like a juggling act, and it forced me to step out of my comfort zone to ask for help and learn to delegate when I could.
Reflecting on those early days, I realize now that I could have leaned into networking and community partnerships even sooner. Connecting with like-minded organizations and community leaders made an incredible difference later on. If I could go back, I’d focus on developing these relationships earlier to build a stronger foundation from the start.
To any young professional thinking about starting their own practice, I’d say: stay open. I never imagined I’d go from teaching math to leading an organization, teaching yoga, and working in food security. But by sticking to my values and staying open to new paths, the right people and opportunities naturally came into my life. So stay grounded in your beliefs, be flexible, and trust that the right path will unfold as you follow your passions. Every step you take will ultimately bring something valuable to your journey.
Gabriela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My journey into this field is rooted in a deep passion for education, wellness, and cultural empowerment. I began as a middle school math teacher, which gave me a strong foundation in teaching, connecting with others, and fostering growth in a way that feels supportive and inspiring. Over time, I felt a call to explore something more personal and purpose-driven. I started practicing yoga and Capoeira as part of my own healing journey and quickly realized that these practices could be powerful tools for others, especially within the Black community. This realization led me to found Oya Matamba Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering Black women and youth through Capoeira, healing-centered events, and transformative classes.
At Oya Matamba, we provide a range of services aimed at enriching the mind, body, and spirit. Through Capoeira, we offer a unique blend of physical movement, music, and historical context that immerses people in an ancestral tradition. In addition to Capoeira, I teach yoga, guiding classes focused on mindfulness and healing. As a registered yoga teacher, I work with Black yogis of South Florida and others in our community to create safe spaces for growth, self-reflection, and collective healing. Beyond these physical practices, we hold community events centered on wellness, cultural connection, and resilience, such as bilingual women’s circles, wellness workshops, and educational programs.
An equally fulfilling part of my work is my role as Program Coordinator at Dunn’s Overtown Farms, where we address food insecurity and promote sustainable agriculture within the community. Dunn’s Overtown Farms is more than just a farm; it’s a community hub where we educate residents on nutrition, host physical fitness classes, and provide free produce and plant-based meals to families in need. Working with the farm has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to blend wellness and food access through initiatives like the Freedom Fridge, where we give away fresh harvests and support the local community with healthy options. We’re also partnering with organizations like the University of Miami to research the impacts of nutrition on health outcomes in BIPOC communities, and these efforts allow us to bring lasting, positive change to the lives of those around us.
Our work addresses the need for safe, inclusive spaces where individuals can connect to their heritage, heal collectively, and learn practices that support mental, physical, and even nutritional well-being. One of the things that sets us apart is our mission to make these practices culturally resonant and accessible. For instance, Capoeira is taught not only as a martial art but as a living cultural heritage with roots in resistance, freedom, and empowerment within the African diaspora. Similarly, Dunn’s Overtown Farms is a place of empowerment where people can gain access to healthy foods and education on sustainable agriculture—tools essential to building self-sufficiency within our community.
One of the achievements I’m most proud of is the impact we’ve made in our community. Through programs like our international Capoeira Angola conference, Rainhas Guerreiras, and partnerships for wellness events at Dunn’s Overtown Farms, I’ve witnessed firsthand the sense of belonging, confidence, and empowerment that people gain through our work. I’m especially proud of our youth programs, where children learn not only movements and songs but also a sense of pride in their culture and history. Working with the community through Dunn’s Overtown Farms has added another layer of meaning to this work, allowing us to provide resources that are life-changing, whether through food access, nutrition education, or wellness events.
For anyone interested in our work or following our journey, I’d like them to know that we are here to serve, uplift, and inspire. Oya Matamba and Dunn’s Overtown Farms are about building connections across the African diaspora, promoting holistic well-being, and empowering people to transform their lives through cultural heritage, healing practices, and sustainable food access. I believe that by creating spaces that honor our culture and promote wellness, we can uplift our communities and provide people with the tools they need to thrive.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Beyond training and knowledge, I think one of the most important factors for success in this field—or any field—is having a deep commitment to your dreams and a belief in your unique purpose. Each of us has a purpose, a set of gifts and passions that no one else can bring to the world in the same way. Knowing and honoring that purpose is what gives us the resilience to keep going, even when things get tough or when others can’t fully see our vision.
There will always be people who don’t quite understand what you’re trying to build, and that’s okay. Your dreams are yours for a reason, and they may not resonate with everyone. You have to be the person who’s most invested in your purpose and your dreams, because ultimately, you’re the one responsible for bringing them to life. That inner commitment—to keep believing, keep pushing forward, and stay grounded in your purpose—becomes your greatest source of strength.
When I started this journey, there were moments when I felt like I was the only one who truly saw the potential of Oya Matamba or Dunn’s Overtown Farms. But it was that connection to my purpose, the understanding that I was doing what I was meant to do, that kept me going. I truly believe that everyone has their own path to walk, their own purpose that drives them, and that purpose is uniquely theirs to fulfill. Embracing this helps us move forward with confidence, knowing that what we’re doing has meaning, even if it’s not immediately clear to everyone around us.
So for anyone working toward their goals, remember: never give up on your dreams, and trust that your purpose is meaningful. Embrace it, nurture it, and know that it’s a light only you can shine in this world. Your dedication to that purpose is what will ultimately lead to success and fulfillment.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I’ve had to pivot many times throughout my life and career. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of recognizing when it’s time to let go of something, even if it’s familiar or comfortable, to make room for new opportunities, growth, and abundance. Understanding energy—how it flows, shifts, and sometimes requires us to release before we can receive—is essential in both business and life.
For example, when I transitioned from teaching middle school math to founding Oya Matamba, it was a significant pivot. I loved teaching, and stepping away from the traditional classroom wasn’t an easy decision. But I felt a calling toward community wellness, culture, and empowerment. Letting go of the stability of my teaching career wasn’t easy, yet it was necessary to make space for something I felt deeply connected to. That choice allowed me to expand my work into areas that now feel like a natural extension of my purpose—yoga, Capoeira, food justice, and healing.
Similarly, when I started working with Dunn’s Overtown Farms, it was another pivot that challenged me to expand beyond what I thought I knew. Working in food justice, wellness, and agriculture has taught me that pivoting doesn’t mean abandoning what came before but rather building upon it in a new way. Each pivot has taught me that letting go isn’t a loss but an invitation to grow, to open myself up to something that aligns even more deeply with my purpose.
If I’ve learned anything from these experiences, it’s that pivoting is an act of trust. It’s about having faith that the energy you’re releasing is creating the space you need to receive more abundance and connection. Every time I’ve pivoted, I’ve gained a new perspective, new skills, and deeper understanding—all of which contribute to the work I do today. Embracing this flow, releasing when it’s time, and being open to receiving has allowed me to evolve in ways I could never have predicted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oyamatamba.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savagelitaa/. https://www.instagram.com/oya.matamba/?hl=en
Image Credits
Nastassia Dillon
Brittany King (BK)