We were lucky to catch up with Namakula recently and have shared our conversation below.

Namakula, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents raised my sisters and I to be respectful, educated and self reliant. Outside of those core values, there was never any pressure to be a certain way. This was key and indicative of the mind set of having immigrant parents, (from Jamaica and Uganda) from exemplary families. We were expected to uphold these standards and take pride in ourselves and where we came from. Even though my father was an academic, we were never pressured or told to pursue a particular profession. Growing up, my artistic inclinations were supported. I wrote short stories, took guitar lessons, acting classes and participated in performances. We had a piano in the house, along with a full set of Encyclopedia: both left and right brain development was encouraged.

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

Hello there! I’m Namakula a NYC based multimedia artist who was spawned  by a wacky, academic Ugandan father and a feisty Jamaican mother. Since childhood, I loved storytelling in all capacities and had BIG dreams of sharing the stories and songs that swirled inside my head with the world. My visions of becoming a comic book artist and a virtuoso, Rockstar guitarist dashed, I pressed on creating and performing. This led me to pursue an artist’s life in NYC. I landed at NYU, fell into an internship at a commercial editorial house–which was the gateway and fortuitous detour that led me to an unexpected career in video editorial. I worked my way up in the industry: from apprentice to full up editor. And honed my editorial skills under the tutelage of and working alongside renowned editors, such as: Barry Alexander Brown and Kirk Baxter. During this time, I also performed stand up comedy and penned spec comedy scripts–even garnering a pitch meeting with the producers of MAD TV. After many successful years working with A list creatives and ad agencies on campaigns for prestige brands throughout the US and Europe, I returned to my performance and producing roots–and haven’t looked back!

For over 10 years, I’ve experienced a robust career as a working actor / VO artist in commercials, TV, film, theatre and digital content. I’ve booked roles on top tier shows such as: Netflix’s “Inventing Anna” and NBC’s “New Amsterdam”, in addition to booking u/s roles in the play “Fairview”, Winner of The Pulitzer Prize (Drama, 2019) . Notably, I was the VOICE of REI’s “Force of Nature” campaign, Winner of the Cannes Glass Lion (Bronze, 2018).  I also continue to collaborate and support other artists’ projects as a creative producer.  Outside of acting, I played in a couple of indie rock bands and produced and directed an original, dark comedy webseries,“Kate & Kula”. In 2015, I started my own producing / consulting agency, Agent 99 Reps–working with indie artists, burgeoning production companies and projects as a producer and consultant.

l relish collaborating on impactful, unique work with forward thinking people of all walks of life, where I’m able to challenge and stretch myself as an artist and a human being.  I feel deep gratitude for all I’ve seen and achieved and aim to keep evolving and becoming a greater person– hopefully, uplifting and inspiring others along the way.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think what may be most difficult for non-creatives to understand about creative people is that its in our blood. If we are cut off from our creative wellspring, a part of us dies. Try telling a creative person that they need to “do something else” and you’ll see the dimming of a light that is very much a part of our being. Having said that, determined and focused creative people will always find a way to tap into that aspect of themselves and express it. Let’s say that a creative’s means to earn a living is one that is not in their chosen vocation, they’ll do what they can to make sure that they make a way to continue to feed and develop their essence. Whether it be allotting time during off hours to nurture and embark on projects, and/or finding something creative about the “day job” that might be eating up a lot of their time. I’m from the thinking that everyone has some creative part of their soul. Whether you’re a mechanic or in finance, I guarantee there’s some sort of singular thinking that’s required to be successful and fulfilled. The way one approaches their work, challenges and relationships can also be sourced back to quintessential traits that are unique to that individual. I’ve been fortunate for the most part, to work in creative environments where I’m able to develop my different interests, talents and skills. But not always: there have been periods in my life where I’ve been employed outside of the “artistic” world. I can happily say, even in those moments, I saw the benefit of where I was and why and was able to learn new things, expand as a person and tap into other areas of my being that enriched me: such as, connecting with, sharing and learning from other people. As a creative, when you are denied access and opportunities to be artful in the way you’re accustom to or not a part of the “system”, like a flower pushing through the crack in a sidewalk, your artist self will find a way to move towards the sun, blossom and shine.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is connecting with and affecting people in a positive, uplifting way. I’m truly inspired by inspiring others. If my work, words, actions and/or performance resonates with another human being, opening their mind, heart and spirit to a new, better way of thinking, being and living, that’s truly gratifying to me. I’ve had the honour of seeing and being told about the direct affect I’ve had on people. This is a great, humbling reward and an affirmation that I’m living my purpose and on my path.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.namakula.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namakula_mu
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/namakulamu
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namakula/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@namakula
• Other: Business: https://www.agent99reps.com/

Image Credits
All HEADSHOT photos are credited to DAVID NOLES PHOTOGRAPHY “KATE & KULA” photographer: Kamran Khan