On January 28, Ola (not her real name) was invited to a popular TV Talk Show to share her story.
She wasn’t quite feeling like it, and something inside of her, like a voice, was against it. She thought about just running away and not doing it. She didn’t care about the large sums of money Coca-Cola had paid for her appearance at the top-rated show. But again, she understood that in a world where women, especially black women, experience marginalization on several fronts, that would spell doom for her. Unless somewhere she chooses to ‘please’ some top male executive to get away with her actions. But, after all the years of hard work – tears, sweat, and blood to get to where she is now, would that be necessary?
Ola’s story is of a young successful black woman. She featured on popular magazine covers as the quintessential black girl who thrived amid adversity. But people started asking questions: Is it true that she didn’t sleep her way to the top like most of them? Is she so gifted that her success is a result of her gifts and hard work alone? How did a young black rural girl, who grew up alone with no parents or guardians, turn out this successful?
Ola sat calmly through her makeup session at the Lagos Marina sprawling TV network offices. She took one last glance at the giant mirrors and couldn’t believe she was this once skinny tired-looking rural girl whom everyone mocked at school, and no guy wanted to date.
Determined, she took a step towards the stage. She strode across the podium to her seat, and a live studio audience gave her a standing ovation.
In her mind, she wondered if the TV station asked the people to cheer as part of their work culture or if the audience appreciated her. She let go of the thought and savored the moment.
People were whispering among themselves in the audience. Someone said TV networks had run out of content and now recruited vulnerable girls and prepped them to stage false stories to boost ratings. Others said she was a true example to black girls.
In a world ruled by materialism and pretense, with enemies smiling at each other and pretending to be friends, how could a young, pretty successful woman claim to have succeeded through so-called hard work without selling her body or cutting corners?
This 23-year-old Lagos City girl, single, multi-millionaire, talked openly about Jesus and, above all, her virginity. She had enormous financial success and a meteoric rise to the spotlight. How did she do it? There was a moment to find out.
While some people applauded her hard work, boldness, and success, others scorned her perceived lies. Diverse opinions filled the air as the audience watched.
Studio lights went on. Theme songs blared into the atmosphere, and the talk show host cleared his throat.
Then…
(To be continued)
In the meantime, the world awaits your impact. What are you going to do?
GetUp&Move!
Ola was and is an avid reader. What about you? What have you been reading lately? Editors all over the world suggest books that matter to those who wish to improve their lives. Here is one of such books. Click here.