Meet Cat White a writer, actor, filmmaker and gender advisor for the United Nations. She is also the founder and CEO of Kusini Productions. Cat grew up between Northampton, Yorkshire and Wales before moving to Paris, Geneva and back to Paris again. She holds first-class degrees in English & French from the University of Warwick and Women’s Studies from the University of Oxford. She is proud of being both state-school educated and an Oxford University alumni. She currently juggles her time between writing her first book, providing advisory services as a gender expert for the United Nations and working both in front of and behind the camera as an actor and filmmaker.
Today we had the opportunity to interview Cat White in this article.
In your own words what do you do?
I always find this such a tricky one to answer – I am the definition of the multi-hyphenate! In my own words, I’m an actor, writer, filmmaker and gender advisor to the United Nations. I am also the founder and CEO of Kusini Productions, a production company on a mission to create opportunities, change the narrative and champion voices of Black women and girls. Recently we have been expanding our reach to focus on telling stories we don’t hear enough of, expanding into projects which have a social conscience in some way – and have something to say. Recent and upcoming projects have explored topics such as homelessness through the eyes of a Black man, sexual consent, coercive control and mental health.
How did you become an activist? What inspired you to be one?
I think I’ve always had a very keen sense of what is right and wrong – I remember being a tiny little girl and getting upset watching the news and my grandma told me that, just like her, I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. If I see something that isn’t right I can’t just avert my eyes – I have to do something about it. When all my friends were playing with Barbie I was utterly obsessed with Rosa Parks and Emmeline Pankhurst. I’ve always been drawn to strong women who changed the world – I probably owe a lot of that to my upbringing. I was raised by strong women -but also my Dad is a real feminist. That eventually translated into me studying Women’s Studies at Oxford University and becoming a ‘real world’ advocate – living the life of the women I grew up admiring.
Can you tell us about your role as a gender advisor to the UN, what do you do?
Through my work as a gender advisor to the United Nations, I focus a lot on gender equality and women’s empowerment on a global scale. Recently, it has been particularly rewarding to partner with the Premier League and the Premier League Charitable Fund and develops Premier League Changemakers, gender equality and mental health program for young women and girls in England and Wales. The program covers self and identity, leadership and empowerment and positive mental health and wellbeing – and incorporating all of this with sport! It’s so inspiring to see the response we have had already and I hope it will inspire the next wave of leaders and change-makers – that is really important to me.
How did you start with Kusini Productions? And what investment was needed?
I started with Kusini Productions out of a deep-rooted desire to change the way that Black women were perceived. Particularly in film and TV, we’ve seen such a wave of ‘feminist’ work – strong and authored by these incredible women, but I noticed that actually this was a wave of change that white women were riding – and it didn’t necessarily translate to others. Kusini Productions takes its name from 1976 American/Nigerian film Countdown at Kusini. This film was the first major motion picture ever produced by an organisation of Black women. No longer willing to accept the degraded images of Black people – and especially Black women – being foisted on them, they decided they would raise the money themselves, from among themselves, to make the kind of film they wanted to see. That’s the ethos behind my company and the projects we take on. We are the change. The initial investment was actually incredibly moderate, I crowdfunded my first film, Farewell She Goes, an eighteenth-century story exploring female friendship, race and women’s right to choose. Then, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, I launched a fund offering three grants of £500 each to small-scale community-led projects that would make a different to the Black and British community. The response was overwhelming and from there we have just flown. In the space of eighteen months we have made five films – featuring Olivier, Emmy and BAFTA nominated and award-winning cast and crew – with another three in development.
What challenges did you face at the beginning of your entrepreneurial, acting, writing and activist journey?
I think the biggest challenge is the juggling of these very distinct worlds – people always look at me in a strange mixture of awe and horror and ask me how I manage to do so much. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I do know that I LOVE everything that I do – and as long as I feel that passion and drive to make a difference then I will continue to keep striving to do more. As I always say, you sleep when you’re dead!
Tell me about what you’re working on now.
I am SO excited to be publishing my debut book If We Are Going To Heal, Let It Be Glorious with the incredible Dialogue Books. It uncovers the imprint that has been made by Black women throughout history, shining a light on their everyday acts of resistance and elevating examples of them surviving, thriving and growing. It is joyful and celebratory and I hope will go on to inspire a generation of readers.
It will be followed by essay series The Black Take, a series of books spanning topics such as politics, climate change, mental health, food and music that have been curated and edited by me and written by some of the most incredible and undiscovered voices of our time. So I am currently very busy writing!
Do you have anything exciting on the horizon that you can tell us about?
I’ve just finished shooting a very special film called Fifty-Four Days. I wrote it, produced it and starred in it, alongside the most INCREDIBLE team of cast and crew. Fifty-Four Days follows the journey of a girl who decides to start wild swimming every day for fifty-four days in the wake of losing her father to suicide. By swimming each day at dawn and forming an unlikely friendship, she learns to accept her grief and the grief of those around her.
I have been honestly overwhelmed by the response I have had to the script and project so far and have built the most incredible team including Phoebe Torrance as director, Forbes 30 under 30 honoree Ella Greenwood as producer, Ellie Gibbons, Sam Cryer, Karina Michel and BAFTA-nominated Manon Ardisson and Chiara Ventura (God’s Own Country) as executive producers. We had a dedicated mental health co-ordinator on set, something still not the norm in the film and TV industry and are also partnered with Papyrus, the young suicide prevention charity, incredible brands dryrobe and Soul Cap.
What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
The biggest skill I have learned (and I am still working to cultivate this skill) is to say no. I think as women we are programmed to please, and that is to our detriment. If it makes you feel good, and it serves you – then do it. If you are saying yes for anything other than that, then you will most likely regret it later. Life is short, your time is precious – it is amazing how powerful it can be to take control and say no.
When did you realize you were successful/made it and how did you feel/celebrate?
I’m a total perfectionist and always striving for more, so am essentially never satisfied! However, there are two major things that spring to mind: the first was on International Women’s `Day this year when I had just finished shooting an all-female produced and directed movie and went directly from wrapping to Westminster Studios where I went live on US TV as a gender expert to talk about Gender Equality in a COVID-19 world. That was pretty surreal – and a pretty perfect way of realising that my worlds were coming together – and that I was really living the life I dreamt of. The second was when my literary agent went on submission with my manuscript and I started receiving this amazing response from all of these incredible publishers. I have dreamt of getting a book deal my entire life – never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be turning incredible offers down! So of course, I celebrated by calling my mum and then popping open a bottle of champagne!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
It’s such a cliche, but when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. There is always a bright side, it isn’t over until you want it to be. Hang in there, keep going – and make something sweet out of every bitter turn life throws at you. We have the power within us to change the world!
@catherinejoywhite / www.catwhite.co.uk
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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