One of the projects fashion students are tasked with in their senior years is to conceptualize and put together a thesis on a potential fashion business. Nyacomba Githu was in her third year at the University of Nairobi when this task was assigned. It was something she had eagerly awaited, having already dreamed of a unique clothing line. Her intention was to make clothes that spoke for themselves, clothes that made their wearers feel free and ultimately gave them an unstoppable, superhero aura. And with that the name of her thesis business – Free Minds – was born.
Thesis completed and put aside, it was time for the long holiday. Nyacomba’s mind lingered on the Free Minds. The name forced the question of whether people could come together and commune freely, allowing themselves to be vulnerable in a space that encouraged ‘free minded-ness’. She became aware of the societal expectations different age groups were facing, and it made her consider a solution. She would break mental confinements, allowing people to be more open and honest with each other.
For about two months, Nyacomba spent a chunk of her time sharing her idea with friends, and friends of friends in various professions. Some welcomed the idea but lacked the time to assist in the implementation, while others were severe in their critique of the proposal. But Nyacomba was tenacious and knew that the sessions would eventually happen. One of the people Nyacomba met was Lindsay Obath – a Nairobi-based artist with a background in décor. Lindsay was thrilled with the idea and blithely jumped on board. Together, they began reaching out to more contacts and friends. The dream was finally materialising.
Within a few months, the one-woman endeavour had transformed into a five-person collective. They scouted for venues and each person had tasks; from vision to event management to social media advertising. But one thing was missing. In order for the event to be memorable, sound had to be top-notch and knowing that we all love a good photo – a photography team had to be present. So they hired a sound and a videography team.
The first Free Mind Sessions (FMS) was held at The Alchemist Backyard in February 2017.
As Nyacomba reflects on FMS’s twenty-one-month journey, she sees the fun times, she sees the relevance of topics that revolve around four pillars: social issues, business issues, emerging issues and entertainment. She sees the growth of her Free Minds team and subsequently their community. She sees an idea that has transformed into a consistent platform, enabling Kenyans from all professions to attend and interact with each other, build networks and ultimately, stay free-minded.
For that, Nyacomba and her team have earned our plaudits for their Paukwa Positive spirit.
For more information on the sessions, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram.