March 13, 2014
The Pan African
Brooklyn, New York

Nzinga Dotson-Newman is a thirty-one-year-old Californian who has recently moved to Brooklyn. She moved here two years ago to find what she described as “freedom.”

A year ago Nzinga embraced her newfound sexuality and said that “I found my freedom when I became OK with my vagina. A year ago I found the woman in me.”

She said her need to discover the woman inside of her took her through a rite of passage. She explained that her travels took her to the slave dungeons in Africa, she also followed the curious girl to dance samba in Bahia, and then she flew to find reggae in Jamaica.

While in Jamaica as a female wearing locks she was always told that what she wore on the beach, what she ate and drank, was not how a Rasta woman should conduct herself.

“It was on these trips that I first learnt how to appreciate being a woman in America. I appreciate my strength and my freedom here.”

Nzinga said that she survives here because her hobby became her business. “My first winter here I was really cold. I needed a thick scarf and so I made my first one, no sooner had I made it, someone asked to purchase it. In no time I found myself selling each scarf I made for myself. I now cover sneakers, make greeting cards, shirts and skirts, and scarves using African material.”

After this journey, Nzinga said, “I am happy, I love my relationships, especially with my family. The universe works in very mysterious ways, and today I am happy.”