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    Walk Through Fire: A memoir of love, loss, and triumph
    Walk Through Fire: A memoir of love, loss, and triumph
    Walk Through Fire: A memoir of love, loss, and triumph
    Audiobook7 hours

    Walk Through Fire: A memoir of love, loss, and triumph

    Written by Sheila Johnson

    Narrated by Sheila Johnson

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    The cofounder of BET and first African American woman billionaire shares her deeply personal journey through love and loss, tragedy and triumph—an inspiring story of overcoming toxic influences, discovering her true self, and at last finding happiness in her work and life.

    From humble beginnings as a schoolgirl and young violinist in Maywood, Illinois, Sheila Johnson rose to become one of the most accomplished businesswomen in America. A cofounder of Black Entertainment Television, she became an entrepreneur and philanthropist at the highest levels.

    But that success came at a painful personal cost.

    Sheila grew up in a middle-class family that encouraged her love of the arts and music. But her idyllic childhood ended at age sixteen when her beloved father announced he was leaving for another woman, an act that shattered her mother and destroyed Sheila’s trust. She vowed she’d never be in her mother’s position—dependent on a man for her sense of self-worth and for financial security. Yet when she was barely out of her teens, Sheila married a man who would take her right down that same unfortunate path.

    Filled with sharply drawn, emotionally powerful scenes, Walk Through Fire traces the hardships Sheila faced in her marriage and her professional life. Despite her skills as a violinist and music teacher, as well as her obvious entrepreneurial talent, she had to fight to overcome self-doubt and fears of failure. Sheila vividly details her struggles, including battling institutional racism, losing a child, suffering emotional abuse in her thirty-three-year marriage, and plunging into a deep depression with her divorce. And yet, out of that pain came renewed purpose and meaning. In the third act of her life, Sheila Johnson has not only made her mark as the founder of Salamander Hotels & Resorts and the only Black female co-owner of three professional sports teams, she has also, finally, found true love.

    Walk Through Fire is a uniquely American success story. And it is the deeply personal portrait of one woman who, despite heartache and obstacles, finally found herself and her place in the world.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateSep 19, 2023
    ISBN9781797164601
    Author

    Sheila Johnson

    Sheila Johnson is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, cofounder of BET, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, and the only African American woman to have a principal shareholder stake in three professional sports teams.

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    Reviews for Walk Through Fire

    4.5/5

    79 ratings17 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a beautiful, inspiring, and uplifting book. It tells the story of triumph over fear and adversity, written by an amazing woman. The book is impactful and leaves a lasting impression on readers. It is a shining light of what it means to be the heroine of your own story. Overall, the book is incredibly inspiring and a wonderful gift to readers.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      A story of a triumph over fear. Thank you for sharing Madame

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Excellent book. An amazing, inspiring story. I love that I got to hear it with Shelia Johnson narrating. She is truly a hidden gem and powerhouse.
    • 5/5
      This book lets us know that anything you can dream you can achieve! Great read
    • 5/5
      Very inspiring. It will definitely help me navigate my own life knowing and understanding what Mrs. Sheila Johnson went through. Thank you.
    • 5/5
      Great reminder & inspiration to always push through tough times
    • 5/5
      Not sure how this isn't as popular as Donnie Brosco... definitely as good if not better!!
    • 5/5
      This was a fabulous book. I had no idea of the background of her and Bob Johnson. Women should definitely read this.
    • 5/5
      This was how I ended 2023 and started 2024. I needed something- but didn’t know what, and this book was the answer. I binged listened and embraced every emotion that came through the lines of your life. Thank you for sharing.
    • 5/5
      I've never heard about this woman until I stumbled on this book last week and listened to it because of the title.
      Great story ??, Sheila is an inspiration for the black community. Kudos!
    • 4/5
      What an inspiration! As I walk through my fire, am more than prepared to meet what ever lies the other side, cos I know from the fire I will be just OK.
    • 4/5
      I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this woman and her story.
    • 5/5
      I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. It was inspiring and I have a deep appreciation for what Shelia was able to do in the face of so much adversity.
    • 5/5
      Wow. What a beautiful and impactful story of someone who has overcome abuse, abandonment, and disempowerment to become a shining light of what it means to be the heroine of your own story. Congrats, Sheila!
    • 5/5
      It was so interesting I couldn’t put it down. Thanks Steven
    • 5/5
      Brutal honesty, wonderfully told. A life experience that was relatable and makes me want to visit Salamander resort. A life of TRIUMPH!
    • 5/5
      This is an inspiring and incredibly uplifting book written by an amazing woman. I thank Mrs Johnson for this wonderful gift.
    • 5/5
      Beautiful book. Thanks ma'am for sharing your story. Truly inspiring