Inspiring Conversations with Nathania Fapemisre Osuntomilola of Iya Lola | Way of the Water | Lola’s Porch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathania Fapemisre Osuntomilola.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always believed that we’re allowed to be more than one thing.

By day, I’m a Financial Analyst II at Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), supporting organizations like NPR and PBS Kids. I work in procurement and finance, helping ensure public funds are managed responsibly while supporting the programs that educate and serve communities across Georgia. I genuinely love finance, there’s something rewarding about creating order, solving problems, and helping organizations operate efficiently.

Outside of work, my life is centered around spirituality, culture, and healing.

Growing up in a Caribbean household, I was surrounded by traditions, stories, and ways of knowing that honored our ancestors, even if I didn’t fully understand them as a child. Looking back, I can see that those early experiences quietly shaped me. Years later, after life challenged me in ways I never expected, I found my way to Ifá. Or maybe more accurately, Ifá found me.

That journey eventually led to my initiation as both an Iyanifa and an Ọ̀ṣun priestess. Through that process, I rediscovered parts of myself that had been waiting to be remembered—my purpose, my voice, and my connection to my ancestors.

Today, I live at the intersection of those two worlds. I can spend my morning reviewing budgets and procurement policies, then spend my evening in prayer, divination, or creating spaces for spiritual education and healing. To some people those worlds seem completely different, but to me they’re deeply connected. Both require integrity, discipline, wisdom, and service.

My hope is that by sharing my story, I can help normalize the idea that we don’t have to fit into one box. We can be professionals, leaders, mothers, creatives, and spiritual people all at the same time. Every part of my journey has shaped who I am today, and I’m excited to see where it continues to lead.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been walking a spiritual path that has been widely misunderstood. Many African Traditional Religions, including Ifá, were demonized during slavery and colonization, and those misconceptions have been passed down for generations. As a result, people often judge what they don’t understand.

I’ve had to learn how to remain grounded in my truth without feeling the need to convince everyone else. My faith has taught me that character, compassion, and integrity speak louder than assumptions.

Beyond that, life has presented its own challenges, balancing motherhood, building a career in finance, navigating personal hardships, and continuing to grow spiritually. There have been seasons of loss, uncertainty, and starting over, but each experience strengthened my resilience and deepened my purpose.

Today, I don’t see those obstacles as setbacks. They became the very things that shaped the woman I am now. They’ve taught me to lead with grace, honor my ancestors, embrace my calling, and create space for others to reconnect with their own roots without fear or shame.

We’ve been impressed with Iya Lola | Way of the Water | Lola’s Porch, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lola’s Porch is more than a brand, it’s an extension of those who came before me. Through Way of the Water, I create spaces for healing, education, and reconnection to African Traditional Spirituality, particularly the wisdom of Ifá and Ọ̀ṣun. My mission is to help people rediscover the beauty of traditions that have often been misunderstood or erased while encouraging them to reconnect with themselves, their ancestors, and their purpose.

As an Iyanifa and Ọ̀ṣun priestess, I offer spiritual consultations, divination, ceremonies, mentoring, and handcrafted ritual products created with intention and reverence. Every offering is rooted in tradition while remaining accessible to those seeking healing, clarity, and personal growth.

What sets my work apart is that I approach spirituality with both authenticity and transparency. I believe education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking generational misconceptions about African Traditional Religions. Rather than focusing on fear or mysticism, I focus on wisdom, community, and practical spiritual living.

Interestingly, my work in finance complements my spiritual practice. As a Financial Analyst at Georgia Public Broadcasting, supporting organizations like NPR and PBS Kids, I spend my days ensuring accountability, organization, and stewardship of public resources. Those same values, integrity, discipline, and service, guide me in my spiritual work. I’ve learned that spirituality and professionalism don’t have to exist in separate worlds.

What I’m most proud of is creating a a synergy where people feel seen, safe, and empowered to ask questions without judgment. Whether someone comes to me for guidance, education, or simply curiosity, I want them to leave with a deeper understanding of themselves and a greater appreciation for the richness of African ancestral traditions.

Ultimately, I hope readers see that healing and success are not mutually exclusive. You can be a finance professional, a mother, a spiritual leader, and an entrepreneur. My journey is proof that honoring your calling doesn’t require abandoning your career, it simply requires the courage to be fully yourself.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to support my work is simply to stay curious.

Whether you’re interested in learning about African Traditional Spirituality, reconnecting with your ancestral roots, or seeking personal guidance, I welcome respectful conversations and opportunities to learn together. Through Way of the Water by Lola’s Porch. I offer spiritual consultations, Ifá divination, mentorship, ceremonies, educational content, and handcrafted ritual products rooted in tradition and created with intention.

I’m also passionate about collaborating with organizations, cultural institutions, podcasts, universities, wellness spaces, and community groups that are interested in preserving African traditions, promoting cultural education, or creating meaningful conversations around spirituality, healing, and identity.

If my story resonates with you, support doesn’t always have to be financial. Follow my journey, share my work, ask thoughtful questions, attend an event, or recommend my services to someone who may benefit. Every conversation helps preserve knowledge that has been carried by our ancestors for generations.

Above all, I hope my work reminds people that our traditions are living, beautiful, and worthy of understanding. If I can inspire even one person to reconnect with themselves, their culture, or their purpose, then I know I’m walking in alignment with my calling.