Dear 2024,

As I reflect on this year, I am filled with gratitude and pride for the journey it has been. In 2024, I have had the privilege of wearing many hats: entrepreneur, fundraising digital strategist, mother, wife and woman committed to uplifting others. Each role has come with its challenges, but also countless opportunities to grow, connect, and thrive. I’ve been fortunate to travel personally and professionally across the continent this year, visiting South Africa, Malawi, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

This year, I deliberately decided to grow my digital strategy consulting business. In previous years, this pursuit often led to burnout, frustration over late payments from clients, and boredom from uninspiring projects. The change came when I decided to immerse myself in work that fuels my passion for storytelling and creates spaces for women to be seen and heard. I established clear business boundaries, allowing me to take on and retain four fantastic clients. Their projects have brought me joy, invaluable learning, exciting opportunities, and increased income.

Whether promoting a client’s memoir and podcast or supporting women-owned and women-led businesses, I’ve been at the heart of conversations about resilience, leadership, digital equity, health, and self-care. These projects have reminded me that as women, we don’t just thrive in spaces—we have the power to transform them.

Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Navigating Zambia’s persistent load-shedding while juggling household responsibilities, consulting projects, and professional deadlines tested my patience and creativity. As a working mum, balancing growing financial needs, career ambitions, and nurturing my son has been an ongoing lesson in resourcefulness, gratitude, pacing, and grace.

However, what stands out most about 2024 is the power of community. Professionally, I built a support system of peers from previous roles, embodying Issa Rae’s mantra of “networking across.” Having a community of black women in digital and communications, specialising in fundraising and engagement strategies has been invaluable. This community understands the nuances of my work but has also experienced it firsthand. Together, we’ve exchanged advice, amplified each other’s voices in key spaces, and opened doors for one another. It has been a reciprocal cycle of hiring, recommending, and uplifting. From crafting impactful fundraising campaigns to organising events, I’ve learned that when women come together, our collective impact is exponential.

Thriving in today’s spaces as a black woman means rewriting narratives, embracing our unique perspectives, and claiming the space we deserve. It’s about giving ourselves grace when the juggling act feels overwhelming and celebrating even the smallest milestones. Often, we’re told to take a seat at the table, but rarely are we taught how to maintain our seat while growing not only the seats but the tables as well. Growing it means bringing others to the table, learning its etiquette, understanding its menus, and sharing that knowledge with those we invite, so they’re prepared to succeed. Thriving means planting seeds of support—not just for ourselves, but for others, too.

As the year comes to a close, I am proud of the seeds I’ve sown. Most importantly, I am inspired by the countless women I’ve worked alongside who continue to thrive, no matter the challenges they face. To any woman reading this: Your space matters. Take it. Own it. Thrive in it.

Here’s to more thriving spaces in 2025 and beyond!

Warmly and with gratitude, 

Mukuka

Keep Up With Mukuka: LinkedIn