Carlotta Tate Olason caught the attention of The Beyond Woman Magazine specifically because she is a Jamaican living in a part of the world that we would least expect and that is Iceland. It goes to show how diverse we are as a people and the fact that we can acclimatize to any situation that we put our minds to.
Carlotta summarizes herself as a people person with a goal of helping others to live a quality life.
She wears many hats; she is a Transformational Therapist and life coach. Also trained in Health Psychology and Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). She is a consultant with her own company Carlotta Consulting and founder & editor for Erlendur Magazine. Erlendur aims to showcase people of foreign origins living in Iceland as well as Icelanders who are passionate about inclusion and diversity. She expects through Erlendur, individuals will have a chance to express the best version of themselves.
In Her Words…
I moved to London in my 20s, then to Iceland with my husband at age 29. For a time I commuted between Iceland and London because of my studies. I was pursuing a doctorate in London in health psychology which I discontinued when I had a year left because of a wonderful opportunity to work on projects across Africa which I took. I will complete my doctorate, but at the time I thought working in Africa would give me greater insight about myself; and being a black woman in the 21st century and how I could contribute to society. That experience enlightened me and taught me that anything is possible. Your background does not matter neither does the circumstances you were exposed to; there are many possibilities around for us to take hold of.
Working with people in Africa, I was able to relate to their circumstances; I worked on projects in Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Ethiopia between 2013 and 2016. During this time I was travelling back and forth between London and the various places in Africa doing projects with charities and organizations, and because I’m a Christian, I did a lot of work with the churches there as well.
I worked alongside heads of States and also philanthropists and spent a lot of time with people in the villages. Throughout my time there, one thing was evident – I realized that every single person that I worked with had the same intention. Everybody wants to achieve a particular goal in life and everybody’s intention is to have a better experience than what they currently have. It doesn’t matter; even if someone is rich or poor, their deepest intention is really to help and contribute positively to society.
I was born in St Ann, Jamaica; then lived on Waltham Park Road in Kingston and also Spanish Town in an area called St Johns Road for a time. Arriving in London, I decided to take every opportunity that came my way. I decided to get my 1st degree and then go on to my masters in Health Psychology.
Too much focus is on the theory aspect of learning in Jamaica, I believe. Those who do well survive and the rest get lost in the system, and I was one of the rest. I did not pass common entrance, and you know what that means, often you are classified as being “dunce” (unable to learn). So if you did not pass the common entrance you did not have mainstream opportunities, and then you think you are finished; meaning you feel your life will not amount to much. There are a lot of persons like that who come to England thinking that they will have to settle for menial work when that is not the truth.
It was not until I got to London and was tested that I became aware that I was dyslexic. Also, in London, you are not judged by your performance in a written test but it is more on a practical basis, what can you do? How can you demonstrate what you know in a practical way? So as my mother would say, it’s not always about book knowledge, it is also about critical thinking and I realize that Jamaica has now recognized this.
The point is this; everyone will not go through the same path to success whereby you go to school, you get a grade, you get an education then you get married; I took a different route. My son went to University to study Civil engineering; he is super talented and loves computers and studying.
But my daughter is completely different, she loves working with her hands. She is artistic and wows me every day with what she can put together as it relates to fashion and design. She recently finished college, where she studied art and design. Her aim is to create her own fashion line with her designer brands, one of which she will be launching this year. She identified her core skills early and I developed mine in my thirties, simply because my creativity was never encouraged.
Once again, the focus was studying to pass the exams. I believe the focus should have also been about using the skills, gifts and talents God gave us. I would like to say to parents, nurture the talents your kids have, invest in them and encourage them to do their best. Never compare them with others and allow them to be who God has called them to be. That is their uniqueness.
TBWM: What is success to you?
Carlotta: Success is being able to help others, that’s it. I cannot say I am a success when I am unable to help someone else find success.
TBWM: How did you transition from London to Iceland?
Carlotta: I moved to Iceland with my husband when I was 29. And it was a totally new experience for me as a black woman, especially one who at the time was not up to par educationally. And so I had to make the immediate decision to do my Masters. During this time I traveled back and forth to London because that is where the Masters program was being offered. Coupled with that I had the challenge of learning a new language, it was undoubtedly a trying time, I am still learning Icelandic today. But through it all I have developed perseverance and have grown in so many ways and that is how you position yourself for success and so I did it.
TBWM: Tell us a little bit about Neuro Linguistic Programming or NLP.
Carlotta: If you know Tony Robbins then you will probably know he is the master of NLP. Neuro relates to the nervous system, for example – the information we take in through our senses influences our neurological functioning. Linguistic is about language and the way it is spoken. Programming refers to habits. NLP has helped me take control of my beliefs and influences. Using simple techniques such as visualization helped me change the way I thought and felt about past events, fears and even phobias as well as my spelling which was an issue for me.
TBWM: Recently you started your magazine Erlendur, tell us a little about the vision behind that.
Carlotta: I have always wanted to do something for immigrants in Iceland, I’ve always thought they were voiceless. There are so many immigrants with potential that do not speak fluent Icelandic. This prevents them from having a voice and being heard. So I have always contemplated – how can I reach the immigrant community? How can I give them a platform to get their experiences and stories heard? And then I followed your magazine and I thought hmmm I could also do a magazine. Then I was talking to a friend of mine who is a photographer along with my daughter about my thoughts of publishing a magazine geared towards immigrants in Iceland and surrounding countries. And that’s how we got started.
Our tagline for the magazine is “Taking the world to Iceland and Iceland to the World”. We are extremely encouraged and excited because our first issue had over 1,000 downloads across Africa. We now reach over 29 countries, the (performance) statistics are overwhelming and shows the amazing power of media.
I must add that Erlendur Magazine is the first English Magazine of its kind in Iceland with a black female entrepreneur on its cover. Added to that it is Jamaican owned. We recently got featured in Iceland Newspaper. All of these “firsts” I believe is a huge thing and a triumph for black people in general. All I’m saying is that we must excel as a people!
TBWM: Tell us about Iceland and your experience of living there.
Carlotta: There are a few Jamaicans living here, we are less than 20 in total. The only black lawyer in Iceland today is Jamaican and she is my friend. She has been in Iceland since she was 17 years old. Iceland is a very large country with a population of about 360,000 people. In the summer we don’t experience night… its daylight 24/7. I adjust and I always have the opportunity to go to London as I have a home there. When I got to Iceland the food was different, the people were and still are quiet, and I felt louder than everyone else.
The environment is clean, the landscape is out of this world in some places, like you’re on the moon. This is because of the settled lava from a volcano eruption. Incidentally a couple of the movies that have scenes on the moon were shot in Iceland.
I remember putting in braids once and someone remarked with serious surprise, your hair grew overnight. Another person wanted to know why my hands were the color they were. It’s just an amazingly different experience. However, it is a very open society (as in new ideas and individuals are encouraged to be creative) and welcoming. Iceland is a peaceful place to raise children and they encourage woman empowerment which I believe is a plus. Overall it’s a good place if you can withstand the cold and if you are open to learning a new language.
TBWM: How has it been in Iceland with the pandemic we are experiencing? Your Prime minister who is female was one of a few women leaders who was lauded for doing well at responding to the crisis.
Carlotta: Yes I read that article, the beauty about our situation is that people conform and as a result we experienced many positives. One of which is the low rate at which persons got infected. There was also significant testings done which helped in us not having the negative experiences we would have, had we not responded in time. People are just good citizens and that has helped a lot.
Carlotta continues her story:
Years ago when I visited Ethiopia they asked me where I was from and I told them Jamaica and they became very excited. They were calling the names of outstanding Jamaicans like Usain Bolt and Bob Marley. It made me realize how known we are in every part of the world. Our culture and heritage is so rich and vibrant and warm and people love us. I believe we must capitalize on that and we must empower our younger ones to love who they are, and our country in general.
Just last year my husband and I visited a school in Jamaica on one of our vacations. The children were so focused on “foreign” (anywhere outside of Jamaica) and they wanted to go to foreign. I believe we must address this; because as much as I have lived overseas for many years, I always look forward to being back in Jamaica. I get the perception, that the children believe it is better; but their desire to live overseas must be for the right reason and not because of a false or misaligned perspective. We must teach our children the value of what they have and allow them to see and experience the positives of our island that is unforgettable for individuals like myself.
I think the music is powerful and sometimes it sends the wrong message; because the youth are influenced by the “bling” and fast life portrayed in these lyrics. I would love the musicians (and of course there are exceptions) to change their lyrics to more positive ones that uplift, because what you hear is what you become.
So the constant programming of the young people’s minds about sex, drugs and money and not only in Jamaica but the world, needs to change. There are many musicians who are putting out conscious music but are not given the platform to be heard. Maybe they can look at using music in the schools to influence the children.
Final words.
We must be authentic in this world, I have never lost my “Jamaican–ness” or my sense of humor. That is why wherever I go and might I say Africa to be specific I am loved and they treat me well. People identify with real. As black people we need to be happy for who we are. It is about being enlightened and increasing in our God-given wisdom along with self-acceptance.
Our Interview with Carlotta Highlighted a couple things that we would love our women to absorb
- Never allow where you were born to determine who you become. Carlotta mentioned that she lived in what persons would consider the ghetto; but she wants all women to understand that “good can come out of the ghetto”.
- Never allow the fact that you are a woman to prevent you from opening yourself to opportunities.
- Believe that there is good in all of us.
- Discover & encourage your creativity.
- All of our paths are unique, never allow your limitations to hold you back. There is always a way – do not settle.
- Be open to opportunities outside of your comfort zone. The world is a huge place with many experiences waiting just for you.
- Know yourself and standout.
Who would have thought that a Jamaican who grew up in limiting circumstances (dyslexia and from an area stereotyped as the ghetto etc) would have had so many positives. Some of which we were not able to share in the main story; such as working with government heads in African countries to implement programs to help the population; namely those at risk for and living with sickle cell/diabetes etc. It goes to show that we each have unlimited potential. And we must believe in ourselves and strive to become all of who we are created to be.
Carlotta’s story encouraging and a very positive, indeed. Her-self determination, ambition and desire to help others are admirable. She sounds like a very warm and friendly person.
Thank you for sharing an insight into who you are.
I wish her well.