Geniuses of Transformation: Wisdom from Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman has always been an inspiration for me since I was a young child. Having escaped from slavery, she risked her life over and over again to help emancipate others. They called her Moses and sang “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” whenever she arrived intent on helping more to escape.

Tubman returned to the South 19 times to help others escape from the plantation. 

Two of my favourite inspiring quotes from Harriet Tubman are: 

• Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  

• Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.

For more Harriet Tubman quotes, go here to download Treasures of the Geniuses of Transformation.  

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Plus go here for my short film, Harriet, which depicts an imaginary meeting between Harriet Jacobs and Harriet Tubman.   

Whos your favourite Black hero or shero?  Please leave your comments below and please share this with your networks.  Thanks.  

 

Geniuses of Transformation: Wisdom from Nelson Mandela

Today, I am celebrating the great activist and first elected President of South Africa Nelson Mandela.  

Nelson Mandela spent over 27 years in prison as a result of his opposition to apartheid in South Africa.  The apartheid regime hoped the world would forget Mandela, but his wife, Winnie Mandela, along with other anti-apartheid activists, kept his memory alive as a global symbol of anti-apartheid. 

At a time when white extremists were threatening to blow up South Africa rather than put an end to apartheid, Mandela managed to win their respect while maintaining his commitment to democracy and equality.  He even won the respect of his jailers.  

And although it looked as though apartheid would only end in armed struggle, with blood flowing in the streets, Mandela managed a smooth and bloodless transition to democracy, inspiring people all over the world.  

Here are two of my favourite quotes from Nelson Mandela:  

• It always seems impossible until it's done. 

• No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

For more inspiring quotations by Mandela and other great leaders, go here to download Treasures of the Geniuses of Transformation.  

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Who is your favourite Black/African hero?  Please post below and please share.  Thanks.