On Purpose with Matilda Nwoke of AMA NWOKE- Founder, Designer, & Dream Chaser

Responses by: Matilda Nwoke

Editor: Marsheda Patrice, Esq.

March 30, 2025

Purpose and self-discovery is a journey that can make us feel as if we are alone in our struggles. The Purpose Press highlights the narratives of our community members.

Name? Matilda Nwoke of AMA NWOKE

Where are you from? I’m from the DMV, but I’ve been chasing my dreams, building my business, and shaping my future since I could remember.

Where are you based? I’m currently based in New York, where the hustle never stops and inspiration is everywhere.

What do you do for work? I’m the Founder and Head Designer of AMA NWOKE, a luxury fashion brand creating impeccably tailored suits and accessories for women who lead. By day, I work a 9-to-6 job to fund my business, and by night, I’m fully focused on scaling AMA NWOKE—from product development to marketing and brand-building—for a brighter future.

How would you describe yourself in your own words? I’m relentless, ambitious, and deeply committed to my craft. As my own hardest critic, I constantly push myself to exceed expectations. I believe in quality, hard work, and breaking through limitations. I’m also deeply intuitive—when I believe in something, I go all in. More than anything, I want to live life on my own terms, creating my own future and moving to the beat of my own vision and ambition.

What experience has shaped your sense of self the most? Being an immigrant, I feel like I have no choice but to succeed. My background has made me hungry, persistent, and unwilling to accept failure as an option. I was raised by a strong matriarchal mother from the South, who instilled in me the values of resilience, independence, and grit. Losing her recently has only fueled my determination to push forward. Building a business from scratch with no outside funding has tested me in every way, but it has also sharpened my vision and strengthened my dreams. The setbacks, rejections, and grind of entrepreneurship are just part of the journey—I refuse to quit.

When do you feel most at home in yourself? Honestly, when I'm in my apartment or artist studio, that's when I feel most at ease. It’s where I can be completely myself. The quiet comfort of those spaces is everything to me. I also feel most like myself when I’m hanging out with my friends—the ones who don’t need anything extra, where we can just be in silence and still have the time of our lives. No extra bells and whistles, just real connection. That’s when I feel like I’m truly at home.

What contributes to your feeling of self? I’ve never questioned who I am—especially not as a child. As an immigrant, you don’t get the luxury of confusion. You adapt, you push forward, and you figure things out fast. But as an adult, the weight of it all hits differently. My faith keeps me grounded, my ambition keeps me moving, and my commitment to building something bigger than myself keeps me from ever giving up. Every challenge I overcome is a reminder of exactly who I am and why I started.

How has your identity evolved over time? I’ve always had a naturally positive disposition, though I’ve learned that not everyone welcomes that energy. Life’s experiences have shaped me, deepening my admiration for strong women—those who shake up the status quo and refuse to be boxed in. Their courage inspires me, especially in moments when fear tries to take hold. Over time, I’ve grown into a more private woman, someone who embraces both the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. I used to doubt myself, questioning if I was on the right path, but now I face challenges with confidence. I’ve realized I don’t need to fit into anyone’s mold—I have the power to define success on my own terms.

Are there any aspects of your identity that you've struggled to accept or embrace?

I grew up being called names like "African booty scratcher," "monkey," "ugly," and "darky," which made me disconnect from my roots. For a long time, I struggled to fully embrace my African identity, but over time, I’ve learned to take pride in where I come from. Now, I’m working to strengthen that connection and celebrate my heritage.

If your inner child could say anything to the you of today, what would they say? My inner child would be completely shocked that I’ve made it this far—that I’m still standing despite all the wildlife changes that could’ve taken me out. She’d probably just stare at me in disbelief and say, “Wait… we’re still here? After all that? Damn. I’m proud of you.

What does "purpose" mean to you?

Purpose, to me, is your life’s assignment—the one reason you are here. I’ve always felt like I was meant for something, even though I wasn’t sure what that was. While I followed the traditional path and found success, there was always something missing. God's purpose for my life has been the guiding force through it all. Creating AMA NWOKE has become my way of finding and living out that purpose. For me, it’s more than just fashion. It’s about showing that luxury can come from people who look like me and proving that an immigrant girl with no handouts can make her mark in an industry that often overlooks us. As a woman, I believe our lives are just as valuable as any men, and we should use our time here as efficiently and effectively as possible. We aren’t just women—we are not second-class humans—we have the power to create and shape our own futures.

What gives my life and work meaning is the peace I’ve found through God’s guidance. Once I started trusting Him, things began to align in a way that felt right. Building AMA NWOKE has become my purpose, something I know deep down is exactly what I’m meant to do. It’s not just about fashion for me; it’s about creating a better future and building generational wealth. Every step I take is part of something bigger, and it’s all about leaving a legacy that goes beyond me.

Please share a defining moment that shaped your purpose.

It hit me one day that life is far too short to waste on things that don’t truly matter. The moment I understood that I’m not guaranteed tomorrow, I knew I had to start living today with purpose. It hit me that if I wanted to build something meaningful, I needed to commit to it now—not later. That shift in perspective helped me fully embrace AMA NWOKE as my path and purpose, to create something real that reflects who I am and what I believe in.

When did you feel confident enough to fully embrace your purpose?

After my mom's death, the reality of how short life truly is hit me hard. I realized that if I didn’t act on my purpose, I could delay it indefinitely—or worse, never fulfill it at all. That moment shifted everything for me. I knew I couldn’t keep playing it safe, trapped in a life that didn’t align with what I knew deep inside I was meant to do. So, I quit my corporate job and took the leap, committing fully to building AMA NWOKE. It was terrifying, but I knew I owed it to myself—and to her—to go all in.

What were the biggest signs that you were not yet living in alignment with your purpose?

Building AMA NWOKE has been the driving force behind my purpose. Every product we create—whether it’s our tailored suits or luxury handbags—is designed with intention, reflecting the strength and sophistication of the women we serve. We don’t just create for the sake of creating; we listen. We take real feedback from our target market and develop pieces that our customers actually want—fashionably functional designs that fit seamlessly into their lives. That’s how we’ve created multiple best-selling products, like our soft leather tote bags and the Emerald City Suits, which have resonated deeply with our audience. Beyond the products, I’ve leaned on strategies like customer-driven development, direct engagement, and leveraging social media to build a brand that truly resonates. I continuously invest in learning—through business books, networking, and studying industry trends—to refine both my craft and my vision. Every step I take, every decision I make, and every product we launch is a building block toward something greater.

Support AMA NWOKE fashions and purchase their signature pieces for women who lead. Follow Matilda and AMA NWOKE on TikTok and IG @amanwoke.