It was so incredible to have you and Beti at Zeg, Monique Maddy ! Thank you for coming and sharing your stories. No one who heard it will ever forget it 🙏🏼❤️
Unite in Africa Founder and CEO | Author and Entrepreneur | Ex-Apple, Google, United Nations
I had an incredible time at ZEG Tbilisi Storytelling Festival. It was an inspiring event full of laughter, tears, and thought provoking stories that moved and energized me. I spoke on a number of topics near and dear to my heart, including the Magic of Memoir Writing and Narratives That No Longer Serve. But it was the presentation with my daughter, Beti Essa, that I will remember forever. On Day 2 of the event, I had the honor of taking the stage with Beti to share our family's story. It's an African story—a human story—about the journey of a mother from #Liberia adopting a daughter from #Ethiopia. It's also a central story of my forthcoming #memoir. On that stage at #ZEGFEST, we shared our universal story of love, luck, and destiny that so many people regardless of race, gender, and nationality can relate to. Perhaps that is what for me was the most gratifying. After our presentation, members of the audience came up to me and said: 💬 I'm a man, and I say I never cry. You made my cry. 💬 I am from Ukraine, and we are suffering a lot and your story gave me hope. 💬 Boy, did Monique and Beti have me weeping! 💬 I looked around the auditorium, and there was not a dry eye—thank you for sharing your beautiful story. As I reflect on the weekend, I am so deeply proud of my beautiful daughter, Beti. She continues to light up the world with her smile, courage, and brilliance. I am grateful to the entire ZEG team for bringing such an amazing group of accomplished and gifted people together—all of whom are doing remarkable things to change the world. ZEG is the Georgian word for "the day after tomorrow," and today I'm confident the future is bright. Finally, I would like to thank the amazing Georgian people for their generous hospitality and kindness, including fellow #HBS alumnus Nugzar Kachukhashvili and his amazing group of friends for the wonderful day of Georgian food and wine tasting at #Telavi and #Kakheti in the lead up to ZEG.
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Unite in Africa Founder and CEO | Author and Entrepreneur | Ex-Apple, Google, United Nations
1moThanks for having me Natalia! Like Ray Charles, I've got Georgia on my mind...perhaps just a different Georgia! Both amazing places.