My Trip to the Motherland: A Cultural and Spiritual Awakening

My book coach, Taurea Vision Avant from the Book Profits Club, suggested I speak and spend a vacation in Ghana, Africa, in December 2023. This was a significant moment for me, as it was a lifelong dream since my undergraduate days in college. I didn't visit Ghana due to a lack of funding but went to Italy, which was a blessing. When I visited Italy in 2011, it was my eat, love, and pray era, similar to Julia Roberts’ movie with the same title.

However, this was Africa, the land of history, the Mother Continent, and now I can speak on their turf at the Voices of Change leadership conference in January 2025. Our ancestors also had their roots in Africa before migrating to different nations. The name of my talk was "Lead with L.O.V.E., not F.E.A.R." The acronym means Lifting Others Victoriously Every Day or Finding Excuses and Reasons. These topics are important because, as a leader, it's crucial to impact people's lives positively.

After eagerly planning the trip for 11 months, my sister and friend Sabine and I were finally on our way to Accra, Ghana, on December 29, 2024. The excitement was palpable as we headed to Africa, the birthplace of humankind, to present my talk at the Cape Coast Castles. With 24 of us embarking on this adventure, we knew it would be a life-changing trip for the next few days.

After a day and a half of traveling, Bine and I settled in our Airbnb apartment in Ghana. It was a day to relax and get acquainted with everyone on the trip. The next day, we visited historical sites, the W.E.B Du Bois Museum and the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, which furthered our knowledge about these extraordinary pioneers. After the sightseeing, it was time to shop at the Makola Market, where we purchased unique gifts and accessories and got ready to party for New Year's Eve at Jamrock Restaurant. We partied at the restaurant and celebrated New Year's Day five hours earlier than in the United States due to the time zones. We let our hair down and danced, even with the natives on the dance floor, to Ghanaian, classic R&B, and reggae music.

Another epic moment on our trip was our collaboration with the Cheerful Hearts Foundation. We donated school supplies to the children in Ghana, and it was a heartwarming experience to give back to the community. When we saw the children, we recognized their gratitude and eagerness to receive their gifts. Their smiles exemplified why I am a service professional. Our presence and gifts made a difference in their lives, prompting them to share their childhood dreams and goals.

I was elated that we were traveling to Cape Coast, three hours away from Accra, and the scenery was awe-inspiring. At Cape Coast, we did a canopy walk at the Kakum National Park and headed to the castles, also known as the slave dungeons. At the castles, we held a special remembrance activity in the slave dungeons to honor our ancestors (especially meaningful for African Americans). This ceremony was approximately 10 to 20 minutes, where we gathered in a circle, holding candles, and shared words in remembrance.

It was also the same place we held the Voices of Change conference. At the conference, each speaker was allowed up to 10 minutes to share their topic. I've been speaking for 10-plus years and am still nervous before stepping on stage. But as soon as I opened my mouth, my words became relatable to people, and they registered with the people, including the acronyms.

Our journey in Ghana culminated in the Soul Serenity retreat hosted by mental health therapist Britteny Petty. This retreat, focused on healing and self-renewal at the glorious Lemon Beach Resort, was a profound experience. The 'Layers of Life' exercise, where we reflected on the highs and lows of our lives in each decade, was particularly moving. It was a powerful reminder of the personal growth we had experienced during our time in Ghana.

When Bine and I returned to the States, it took us a few days to get reacquainted with East Coast time zones, but our trip to Ghana was worth every penny. It just made us appreciate our amenities in the United States more after our trip. On the plane, we were already asking ourselves about the following country we would visit in Africa. I truly thank God for this fantastic opportunity and for allowing me to step on the Motherland despite the challenges before the trip. I want my journey to inspire others to take a trip to Africa, if permitted, so you, too, can recognize the richness of the culture and enlighten your heart with nuggets that will change your life forever.