Hi, I’m Buya Nangoma Simatele
(she/her)
I’m a neuroscientist, artist, and mental health advocate and the founder of Lumuno CIC. My background is in genetics, microbiology, and neuroscience, but my real training has come from navigating neurodivergence, chronic illness, and the realities of being a disabled Black woman in mental health spaces that were never built with us in mind.
I created Lumuno because I wanted something that felt compassionate, culturally inclusive, and accessible. Something that honoured both scientific knowledge and lived experience. I’m deeply connected to my Zambian (Tonga/Lozi) heritage, and I’ve built this enterprise in Scotland where so much of my healing happened. Lumuno reflects that mix: African storytelling, Celtic symbolism, neuroscience, creativity, and community care.
My work is rooted in decolonial practice, trauma-informed design, and disability advocacy. Through Lumuno, I combine academic research with cultural storytelling to create sensory-friendly, evidence-based tools that help people feel seen, supported, and held. I design each box, resource, and Guardian with the hope that no one must feel alone on their journey.
