We recently connected with Rowena Sutherland and have shared our conversation below.
Rowena , appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
In 2016, at 33, I became the youngest person to ever hold the position of Executive Director of Culture for the Bahamas Government. It was a milestone moment, one that carried the weight of high expectations and an immense sense of responsibility. Consulting directly with the Prime Minister, I had the platform to amplify the voices of my community at the highest level of government. But the significance of the role didn’t come without its challenges. Being young and female in this space meant that I often faced pushback, particularly for my out-of-the-box thinking as a creative.
I found myself in a position that was more focused on policy and administration than on the impactful cultural work I was passionate about. Every day felt like an uphill battle. I was fighting to create real change within rigid structures, and it started to wear me down. I would sit in my car before work, crying for 20 minutes, knowing I was stepping into what felt like a war zone. The stress began to impact all areas of my life. I gained a significant amount of weight, becoming obese, and my relationships, particularly with my husband, suffered. I was a mother to two young children, but I was rarely present for them, which left me feeling deeply unfulfilled.
Then the pandemic hit, and with it came clarity. In 2021, I made the difficult decision to leave my government job and pursue freelance work. It was terrifying, but also freeing. One of my first projects was producing Goombay Kids, a children’s TV show that went on to receive international acclaim and even garnered recognition from the Prime Minister. This was the moment I knew I was on the right path.
With my husband’s support, we began a journey of healing—both as individuals and as a family. We fell in love again, and I reconnected with myself as a creative and a mother. I also put more energy into my company, Bahamas Artist Movement, and in 2023, I launched The Soul Centre Podcast. This podcast has become my true calling, a platform where I help and heal others by amplifying their stories. It has opened doors to speaking engagements and connections with incredible minds, spiritual healers, and creatives from around the world.
Through this journey, I’ve lost 37 pounds, not just physically but emotionally. My relationships with my husband and children are stronger than ever, and I’m homeschooling my son, something I never imagined I would be able to do. Financially, we’ve achieved a sense of security that allows us to live in trust and abundance. I’ve embraced a daily Rising Routine—breathe work, movement, and meditation—which keeps me grounded and aligned with my purpose.
Looking back, the biggest risk wasn’t just leaving a prestigious job. The real risk was daring to trust my soul, to listen to my inner voice, and to honor my true purpose. It was terrifying at the time, but it has been the most rewarding decision of my life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My journey into the creative world began with a love for storytelling and performing arts. As a child, I entertained my family with impersonations of characters like Steve Urkel from Family Matters and by dancing. Growing up in Freeport, Grand Bahama in The Bahamas, I was inspired by my cousins who were fire dancers and singers. This early passion led me to pursue acting, and my career has since taken me to various parts of the world, including London, Namibia, North Carolina, New York, and LA.
Professionally, I founded the Bahamas Artist Movement (BAM) to nurture and develop Bahamian talent. This initiative eventually led me to become the youngest person to serve as the Executive Director of Culture for the Bahamas Government. After navigating the complexities of bureaucracy and feeling confined by policy work, I decided to leave that prestigious position in 2021. This decision allowed me to fully embrace freelance work and creative projects that align with my passion for storytelling and healing.
One of my proudest achievements is launching The Soul Centre Podcast in 2023. This podcast is a platform for sharing powerful stories from people around the world, focusing on the African, Caribbean, and Latin American diaspora. The stories we share are about overcoming challenges, personal growth, and community impact. By giving a voice to these often underrepresented communities, we aim to inspire and empower our listeners.
In addition to podcasting, BAM offers a range of creative services. We provide storytelling programs, documentary courses, acting coaching, public speaking training, and more. Our programs cater to various audiences, including schools, communities, senior citizens, and businesses. We focus on preserving indigenous stories, helping individuals craft and share their narratives, and teaching businesses to communicate their unique stories effectively.
What sets my work apart is the emphasis on cultural and indigenous storytelling. I believe in the power of narratives to connect, heal, and transform. Our projects are designed to amplify voices that are often unheard and to celebrate the rich diversity of the African, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures.
I draw inspiration from podcasters like Steven Bartlett of The Diary of a CEO and Mel Robbins of The Mel Robbins Podcast. Their authenticity and vulnerability resonate deeply with me, and I strive to bring the same level of connection and truth to my work.
For those looking to support or engage with my work, I encourage you to tune in to The Soul Centre Podcast, available on all major podcast platforms. You can follow, like, and subscribe to our YouTube channel @thesoulcentrepodcast and turn on notifications to stay updated with our latest episodes. If you have ideas or requests, feel free to email us at [email protected]. Additionally, we have exciting Soul Centre merchandise coming soon.
Ultimately, I want my work to serve as a reminder that we all have a story worth sharing. Through our stories, we can heal, connect, and make a positive impact on the world around us.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
At the heart of my creative journey is a mission to harness the transformative power of storytelling to uplift and connect communities, particularly those from the African, Caribbean, and Latin American diaspora. My work is driven by a profound belief in the arts as a catalyst for change, growth, and healing.
Research consistently shows that the arts have a significant positive impact on children’s academic performance. For instance, studies have found that students engaged in the arts are more likely to excel in subjects like English and science. According to a report by the Arts Education Partnership, students who participate in arts education are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and three times more likely to win a school attendance award . The benefits extend beyond academics; involvement in the arts has been linked to reduced behavioral problems and improved emotional well-being.
Moreover, the arts play a crucial role in reducing violence and fostering safer communities. The University of Pennsylvania’s Social Impact of the Arts Project found that neighborhoods with higher levels of cultural engagement had lower levels of social distress, including lower rates of crime and poverty . By providing a constructive outlet for expression and a platform for marginalized voices, the arts help to build stronger, more resilient communities.
Economic impact is another critical aspect of my mission. The circulation of the dollar within the arts and cultural industries, especially among small businesses, has a profound multiplier effect. The National Endowment for the Arts highlights that for every $1 of direct spending on the arts, there is an additional $9 in indirect economic activity generated . This means that supporting the arts not only enriches our cultural fabric but also stimulates local economies, creating jobs and fostering innovation.
My work with the Bahamas Artist Movement (BAM) and The Soul Centre Podcast is designed to amplify these positive impacts. Through BAM, we offer storytelling programs, documentary courses, and acting coaching, providing individuals with the skills to share their narratives and contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of their communities. Our programs also help businesses discover and communicate their unique stories, enhancing their engagement and success.
Ultimately, my goal is to use storytelling to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and inspire change. By sharing diverse stories and perspectives, we can build a more inclusive world where every voice is heard, and every story matters. Through the arts, we have the power to not only reflect the world as it is but to imagine and create the world as it could be.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One story from my journey that truly illustrates resilience took place during a profoundly challenging time in my life. While attending university in the United States on a scholarship, I was sexually assaulted by my then-boyfriend. This horrifying experience left me severely beaten and admitted to the hospital with a concussion. The trauma was overwhelming, and I felt an immense sense of shame, compounded by being far from home and family.
My mother and brother came to support me during this dark time, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was somehow my fault. I was fortunate to have a great mentor, Julya Mirro, and an acting mentor who encouraged me to think deeply about the story I wanted for my life. They guided me to see that I could reclaim my narrative and find strength in my vulnerability.
Two significant things happened as a result of this experience. First, I found the courage to seek justice, and I won. This victory was not just legal but deeply personal, affirming my right to be heard and to stand up against my perpetrator. Second, this experience cemented the power of crafting my personal life story, which propelled me further down my path as a storyteller.
Through this journey, I discovered that sharing my story could empower others who had gone through similar experiences. I began to use my platform to advocate for survivors of sexual violence, creating safe spaces for them to share their stories and find healing. This mission is central to my work with the Bahamas Artist Movement and The Soul Centre Podcast, where we amplify voices that are often silenced and provide a platform for connection and empowerment.
Resilience, to me, means finding strength in the face of adversity and using our experiences to uplift and support others. My journey through this trauma taught me the profound impact of storytelling as a tool for healing and transformation, and it continues to inspire my work every day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @soulcentrepodcast, @bahamas
- Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/Soul-Centre-Podcast
- Other: https://linktr.ee/soulcentrepodcast
https://the-soul-centre-podcast.simplecast.com/
https://tinyurl.com/thesoulcentrepodcast
https://tinyurl.com/Thesoulcentre
Image Credits
Photo # 2 by Yontalay Bowe on Instagram, Photo # 7 by YP Visuals on Instagram
All other Photos are owned and retained by Bahamas Artist Movement LLC., registered in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.