Meet Carrie Wata | Founder of Afro Mermaid Co.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carrie Wata and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carrie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is my persistence. In spite of all the difficulties and oppositions that I’ve been faced with, I don’t give up on myself. I invest in me and continuously remind myself that I’m trying to do something special for my community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have somewhat of a different profession compared to most people I know, I’m a mermaid. It’s always fun to share with others what I do on a regular basis because it’s so unconventional but it’s working. I’m not sure how I got here today but it definitely wasn’t easy. I had to heal from my fear of water, I had to take swimming lessons until I became a proficient swimmer, became a swim instructor, and then a lifeguard. Every time I push through another challenge, I almost use it as fuel to keep going and keep inspiring and uplifting the community as I grow. I want the world to know that Afro Mermaid is breaking barriers, making space, and building a community of black and brown water lovers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, I don’t go out much so when I have new friends visiting me, I like to go to new places I haven’t been before. It’s a great way for us to get out of the house, try something different and create new experiences that neither one of us have had before. For a weeklong trip, we will definitely have a mixture of eating out and staying in, we definitely explore the nightlife and it wouldn’t be a proper trip with me if we didn’t find a cool park to walk around.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This has been and will continue to be a long beautiful blossoming journey. I’d like to shout out and give a big thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement from my friends and family always. This particular shout out goes 100% to my right hand man, Manny. He has been one of the most consistent partners in helping grow Afro Mermaid. He and I share the same vision and has been working hard to ensure that our vision comes to life. When I am in the forefront shining, he is always in the background aiming the light on me. Afro mermaid would not be all that it is today if it weren’t for Manny so thank you, thank you, thank you!

Website: Www.afromermaid.co

Instagram: @afromermaid.co