Innovators Awards Ceremony

On Thursday, December 4, 2014, I trekked across the city to reach the Bronx where Marie Claudine Mukamabano, a survivor of the 1994 Rwanda genocide, and the President of Why Do I Exist/ Kuki Ndiho Rwanda Orphans Support Project, was having an Awards Ceremony to honor members of the African Diaspora who were known to be innovators, uplifting and unifying communities locally, nationally, and internationally. A few weeks ago, I received a message from Claudine that she had selected me to be one of the honorees. I was moved and touched by her kind gesture.

I had just started to be the change I wished to see in the world – an intelligent, beautiful, and God-fearing woman of Haitian descent. You don’t really see that a lot in the media nowadays. One afternoon in February 2014, I was challenged to become the woman that God created me to be. “What did that mean?” I asked myself. “What does it mean to be a woman of God? I go to church. I read the Bible. I do this… I do that…” But that’s wasn’t enough. I went on a journey of self-discovery, and within a few short weeks, I found my purpose. It was to enlighten, encourage, and empower individuals to discover and fulfill their life’s purpose. How? Through my writing.

Like most ambitious people, I started out with such intense fervor, but it waned and almost became non-existent. It was resurrected when I received the news of Dr. Maya Angelou’s passing. The weekend she passed, I watched most of her interviews on Youtube. (Thank God for Youtube.) There was a moment when I paused and thought, “She was a REMARKABLE woman!!!” Then, all of sudden, sunlight flooded the room. Yes, there’s something profound about the mysteries of life. It was then I decided to truly seek this path of inspiring other individuals through my wirting.

And, here I was, sitting one evening when I got the message from Claudine that she wanted to honor me. Me? I didn’t do anything but to just “Be.” I accepted the invitation, and thanked God for the honor. All good things come from Him!

The extraordinary event was held at 2000 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY. Mr. Diddy Anzo Traore (Winner of Mr. Africa USA 2014) was the host. The night was filled with inspirational messages from each honoree. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear Author Elisa Balabram talk about successful ways to achieve success as an entrepreneur.

During the course of the night, Marie Claudine shared how dance and music helped her cope with the traumatic experiences during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. She encouraged everyone to listen to hope-filled songs, including “Wavin’ Flag” by K'naan, a Somali-Canadian singer.

Before the innovators were honored, Ms. Herbrew Lincoln was crowned as Miss Global Peace 2015, perpetuating the message of Ms. Claudine’s mission to promote peace, healing, and restoration.

As I awaited to receive the award, I observed the people in the room. I was among world-changers, policy makers, and history makers. I was among artists, authors, singers, and intellectuals. I counted it as such a tremendous blessing to be honored among this cohort. I thought to myself, “I came a long way, but I still have many more miles to go. Work still needs to be done, and I am just getting started.”

My name was finally called, and I went to the front. I was nervous even though I’ve stood in front of crowds many times before. Claudine asked me to say something, but I didn’t prepare a speech. (Note to self: Always prepare a speech.)

At the time, I was in the editorial process of my book, “How to Stay Motivated: Inspiration and Advice for Everyday Living.” I recall a paragraph I had written that morning, and I decided to share it with the audience. First, I told the story of how I met Claudine.

I said, “I met Claudine during the worst times of my life in 2012 when I lost all hope and wanted to stop existing. I googled the words, “why do I exist,” and her website came up – whydoiexist.org. I decided to look around her website, and discovered it was an organization that assisted orphans. I further read about Claudine’s experience as a genocide survivor. It was her faith that carried her through. At the time, I told myself, ‘Wow, if she could go through that terrible experience and create something positive out of it, I am certain I can go through this experience and create something great out of it as well with the help of God.’”

I am reminded of Romans 8:28 that says, ‘And we know all things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.’ I am a firm believer of this Scripture now. If I hadn’t gone through that dreadful life experience, I wouldn’t have googled those words, and I wouldn’t have met Claudine!

I continued, “Back in February 2014, I decided to launch CSJ Media Publishing because I wanted to use my life story to change someone else’s life story. It came about when someone asked me, ‘Cindy, if you had all of the money in the world, what would you be doing with your time? Of course, after all of the travelling and buying all the fancy clothes and donating to charity and buying a house, what would you be doing with your TIME? Your answer is your life’s purpose.” The first thing that came to mind was: ‘Write books which inspire people.’ It was at that moment I discovered my purpose.”

I told the audience that each person had a purpose and needed to share their message with the world. “Let your life story change someone’s life story today. You can save someone’s life,” I said.

As I stood there, speaking to the crowd of young and old, I knew I was fulfilling my purpose. People were nodding, and I could feel a shift in the attitude. Hopefully, my message inspired someone that evening.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay until the end of the program. As I was leaving, a young woman reached out to me. She thanked me for my message, and asked if I could assist her with her writing. We exchanged contact information, and I told her I would get back in touch with her.

As I left the venue, the December air greeted me with its cold embrace. The train ride back home was long as I crossed through three boroughs. I felt like I had gone on a long journey. It’s the same feeling I get whenever I am away from New York for a few days and return to see the skyline. There’s a saying I created during my college days: “I cross the same path a different person.” Whenever I come from an event, interview, talk, speech, etc., I always come back a different person. I am more enlightened, encouraged, and empowered, and I thank God for every opportunity that comes my way. It was a good night!