Empowering Confidence, Identity and Opportunity

My Journey: From Surviving to Founding Proud to Be Me CIC Beginnings: A Challenging Start (1985–Early Childhood) I was born in 1985 at Whittington Hospital, Islington, to a mother battling substance abuse. As an addicted baby, I was placed under the guardianship of my maternal grandfather and his wife when I was just six weeks old. They took me to Downham in Lewisham, where I began my childhood. Searching for Identity (Early Childhood–Teens) My grandfather passed away when I was five, leaving me in the care of my white grandmother. She loved me, but her limited understanding of Black culture left me feeling disconnected and unsure of my identity especially when it came to things as simple as my hair. School was no refuge; I was bullied for reasons I couldn’t understand. At home, I was exposed to drug dealing by family members, sometimes taken to go on drug runs. The trauma deepened when I was sexually assaulted and harassed by my best friend’s father, and later exploited by a fake boyfriend who involved me in crime, leading to my arrest at 18. Trauma, Violence, and Survival (Teens–Early 20s) My teenage years were marked by violence and vulnerability. At 15, I was severely beaten by a group of peers. At 17, I was diagnosed with vitiligo, which further impacted my confidence. At 19, my cousin’s boyfriend sexually assaulted me while I slept. These experiences led me to alcohol abuse and promiscuity as coping mechanisms. Despite these hardships, I also found moments of happiness, making new friends in my 20s. Yet, I remained in denial about my health and the impact of my trauma. Loss, Motherhood, and New Connections (Early–Late 20s) At 22, my biological sister found me on Facebook, reconnecting me with siblings and my father, though my birth mother had already passed away. This reunion brought both healing and new questions about my identity. At 28, while pregnant, I lost my grandmother (the mum who raised me) to cancer. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship and experienced a traumatic birth, I had pre eclampsia and my daughter was breech. My grandmother was buried on September 2nd, and my daughter was born on September 6th. I didn’t allow myself to grieve, and only years later did I recognise I was suffering from postnatal depression. Embracing Myself and Finding Purpose (30s–Present) In 2011, I began a relationship with a woman. This brought happiness and new challenges, but it was a step toward embracing my true self. As I entered my 30s and then celebrated my 40th birthday, I reflected on my journey. Despite high blood pressure and the lingering effects of trauma, I felt a growing sense of confidence and a desire to help others. Founding Proud to Be Me CIC My struggles with identity, trauma, and resilience inspired me to create Proud to Be Me CIC. I wanted to offer the support I never had, a safe, inclusive space for young people from marginalised backgrounds to heal, grow, and celebrate who they are. Sharing my story has not only helped me heal, but has also empowered others to do the same. Proud to Be Me CIC is my way of turning pain into purpose, ensuring that no young person has to face their struggles alone. My journey is proof that healing and transformation are possible, no matter where you start.