We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ma’at Zachary a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ma’at, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did you learn to do what you do?

My journey is far from traditional. I acquired my skills through a series of bumps, scraps, and observations because there was no guide or obvious blueprint.

Knowing what I know now, here’s what I could have done to speed up my process:

1.Find a mentor and be a resource to them.
2.Actually ask for help.
3.Know what I need, not just what I want.
4.Build a support system and a network.
5.Say no to what I don’t want and yes only to what I do.
6.Commit to my plan A and toss out plan B. The last one is important. I’m not saying it will be easier, but the journey will be most enjoyable.

What skills do you think were most essential?

The most essential skills for me were my engineering background, which provided structure, and my choreography background, which taught me how to tell stories through sound and imagery—ultimately making me a storyteller.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Doubt, social anxiety, and insufficient funds stood in my way of learning more. Each presented its own challenges, but overcoming these obstacles became integral to my learning and growth.

Ma’at, 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?

I’m a combination of passion, calculated risk-taking, and a rich tapestry of experiences that have propelled me towards my goals. I’m Detroit-bred and New York-led. These two cities are my bookends, and in between, there is a journey of professional pivots and parallel paths. From starting Bambuti, my own African dance collective in Detroit, to moving to Toronto, where I became the first African dance instructor for the National Dance Theater of Canada. I also clinched a Dora Award in Toronto as a choreographer and performer. Navigating the tough grind in New York, I chased dreams in front of the camera while eyeing roles behind it, following in the footsteps of Tyler, Denzel, and Regina King.

But here’s the twist: I’m not just an artist. I’m a Mechanical Engineer. Yep, I spent years building trucks and systems for General Motors. My world view is anything but one-dimensional.

This diverse lens colors how I create, produce, and connect—with people and stories alike. I’m part empath, part analytical wizard, and when these worlds collide, magic happens. It’s this unique fusion that brings value to those who put their trust in me, whether it’s on the screen or behind the scenes.
As a creative executive, my forte is helping clients tell stories that not only captivates but also resonates. Crafting and producing original branded content with me isn’t just a process; it’s a guarantee of results.

I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with Fortune 500 brands, including personal favorites like Walmart, Denny’s, Prudential, McDonald’s, Verizon and Chevy. They’ve all trusted me, an award-winning executive producer, director, and creative strategist, to bring their stories to life.

Fueling my journey is my love for impactful stories, delicious food, and unforgettable experiences. And right now, my team and I are riding high on our NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Society and Culture podcast. Additionally, we proudly secured the title of AdWeek’s Best DEI Podcast 2022 For me, everything is rhythm based. If the rhythm is off the production suffers.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is the scarcity mentality. Overcoming the belief in lack and embracing abundance was a personal hurdle for me. Developing an understanding and sacred awareness for myself, recognizing that these beliefs were learned behaviors from my parents, was essential.

When I mention scarcity, it’s not just about money; it extends to relationships, personal value, and self worth. Shifting this learned and experienced narrative, culture, and value system became crucial and core to overcoming psychological setbacks and finding freedom.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative, for me, is serving as a “voice of the culture” and amplifying those often overlooked. Being able to articulate the thoughts, feelings, and aspirations of a community or group of people is both an honor and deeply gratifying. Doing this at a high level, with extensive reach and engagement, feels incredibly fulfilling. Having a deep understanding and connection to cultural nuances, fostering authenticity and genuine connection is essential in my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: maatzachary.com
• Instagram: talktomaat
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maatzachary/

Image Credits
Sebastian Tello