They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I experienced this firsthand growing up in Sierra Leone. While my mother was in Canada for surgery, I was surrounded by aunties, cousins, and grandmothers who stepped in as caregivers and mentors. These women were essential to my growth and helped shape me into a confident young woman.
They passed down practical skills like cooking, leadership, and caring for my younger brother. More importantly, they taught me to lead with authenticity and stay rooted in who I am.
Building Bonds Across Borders
Years later, I reunited with my mother, whose family-first values inspired her to invest not only in us but also in the community. In Nova Scotia and now Edmonton, she built lasting bonds with other women. I’ve seen how women in my Sierra Leonean community show up for one another, and I’ve heard similar stories from other cultures, groups of women united in their efforts to uplift the next generation.
This commitment to community and storytelling led my husband and me to create Our Lives Narrative through our media company, Medanne Productions. We wanted to spotlight people, especially women, making an impact in their communities.
At first, most of our podcast guests were men. I prayed for more opportunities to amplify women’s voices. That prayer was answered when I joined When African Women Talk, where I met women from various cultures and backgrounds. Through conversations both in-person and online, I learned about their lives and felt compelled to share their stories. I saw how much they supported one another and how deeply they believed in sisterhood.
Sharing Uplifting Stories
As host of the Our Lives Narratives podcast, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing remarkable women. Each one brings something powerful: honesty, drive, and a desire to leave a legacy. Whether in health, beauty, entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, or mentorship, these women are using their talents to empower others. They organize events and share practical tools that help other women grow.
Solidarity like this, across cultures and experiences, helps shape a better future. When we empower women, we strengthen families and build resilient communities. The values passed from one generation to the next become richer and more lasting. I know this because I’ve lived it, and I continue to see it every day in Alberta.
Our Lives Narrative will continue to spotlight women who embody unity and sisterhood. We will keep sharing their journeys, struggles, and wins so that listeners and viewers can find strength and encouragement in their stories—stories that have the power to transform lives.
