Shelf
Her Story
Lived experience, told in the first person.
Growing in Kopjes
I wonder how so many trees are able to grow where there are kopjes. The ground is hard and often dry. This is far from what trees need to thrive. Yet instead of blaming the ground they have found themselves in, these trees have laughed in the face of the obstacle and flourished. What an inspiring approach. There is life to be lived…the hard ground and the scarce water will not
In-depth story: Chandi Rae Bozeman – How This Two-time Survivor Found Freedom in Turning Her Pain into Purpose, and Can Help You Do the Same
She was 14 and returning to her home country after living abroad for years. Life in Germany as an Army Brat had been filled with adventure as she mingled with people from diverse cultures. Moving every few years was normal for her family. But her normal was interrupted when she returned to her home city. Nothing could have prepared her for what would take place over the course
In-depth Story: Tonier Cain – How Treating Her Trauma Ended a 19-year Addiction and Transformed Her Life
Fourteen years ago, she lay on the cold floor of a prison cell at the end of her rope. Her surroundings were familiar to her because for 19 years, home had either been underneath a bridge or in a prison cell. In fact, this marked the 83rd time she had been arrested. Her situation was so grave she would never live a normal life, they said, not after nearly 20 years of addiction.
Don’t Pity Me Because I’m Childless
Being unable to have a child is hard. It’s exhausting.
The Scent of Beauty
“Personality is to a what perfume is to a flower.” – Charles M. Schwab
From Dust to Success: A Village Girl’s Story from Devastation to Triumph
She was a happy teenager with big dreams. One fateful day, the trajectory of her life changed when she received devastating news about her father. With no source of income, her family struggled to make ends meet, and the future seemed bleak. But she refused to let her dream die.
The Danger of Comparison
If two people were given the task of getting from Point A to Point B and the first person got there in an hour and the second person took over three hours, what would you conclude about the second person? Is that person slow, unfocused, unfit, or just plain lazy?
Made in Africa: How This Woman is Taking Pride in Her Heritage and Celebrating African Artistry
When she decided to pursue her dream of starting a business, she knew exactly what she wanted to do. She wanted to honour her heritage and tap into a market teeming with natural resources and raw talent – Africa. But she needed to figure out how to connect the dots. For the past six months, she has done just that and has a successful line of African products that celebrate her
Blooming Alone
I wonder what it’s like to bloom when others around you are nowhere near that point. Is it lonely and does it leave you wondering whether you missed some memo? Is it hard to relate to your peers? Or does it perhaps begin to fill you with pride? Do you begin to believe that your earlier arrival is a mark of your superiority?
What it Takes to Bloom
Born with a Fight: How This Remarkable Woman Refused to Allow Her Disability to Get the Best of Her
Born three months early and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, doctors didn’t expect much for her. She would have a difficult life and achieve very little, they concluded. They were wrong. She has surpassed all the expectations placed upon her. Having achieved academic and professional success, she is now using her experience and expertise to encourage and empower other people livi
Chamicka Pollock Discusses Keys to Professional and Financial Success
Nearly 20 years ago, she walked into a local Wells Fargo branch for an interview, dressed in one of her mother’s suits, and hoping to be hired as a personal banker. This was a big deal for a teenager, especially one who had been judged and discounted. But she believed in herself. Now, 19 years later, she is the bank’s Vice President – Regional Bank District Manager for Orange C