Against All Odds: How to Stay On Top of the Game

By Angelle B. Kwemo

Against All Odds is the captivating story of one woman’s determination to pursue her passion and aspirations, defying self-limitation and status quo. Angelle Kwemo, proud to be an African woman, followed her dreams, ignored the ridicule, and fought aggressively to seize opportunities.
This story is for all people of race, color, and discrimination, but not for the light of heart. Witness how one person followed her vision, you will learn from her endurance, the challenges, and necessary persistence. Throughout this handbook you will be given numerous life lessons based on an odyssey of risk and reward, those lessons are designed to help pave your own uncharted course.
Her journey goes from childhood environment, graduation, working, entering the legal system, corporate to attaining respect in the policy arena. The poignant stories of desire—learn how to never give up, follow your passion, and recognize opportunity!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Mar 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483441573

Book preview

Against All Odds

How To Stay On Top Of The Game

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ANGELLE B. KWEMO

Copyright © 2016 Angelle B. Kwemo.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means---whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic---without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Author photo by Tina Kohn

ISBN: 978-1-4834-4156-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-4158-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-4157-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015918958

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 3/15/2016

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Note From The Author

Introduction

Chapter 1 -- First My Story ...

Chapter 2 -- Dreams of an African Woman

Chapter 3 -- Washington -- The Seat of Power

Chapter 4 -- Against All Odds

Chapter 5 -- Defining Moments

Chapter 6 -- Africa-Realism

Chapter 7 -- The Great Teachers -- Success / Failure

Chapter 8 -- Integrity -- Loyalty -- Spirituality

Chapter 9 -- Authenticity -- Freedom -- Wisdom

Chapter 10 -- Hard Work - Resilience -- Determination

Chapter 11 -- Image - Reputation -- Authenticity

Chapter 12 -- Networking -- Communication

Chapter 13 -- Strategic Relationships

Chapter 14 -- Love - Friends - Family

Chapter 15 -- Timing - Intelligence - Humility - Generosity

Chapter 16 -- Money - Influence - Power

Conclusion

Author's Professional Biography

Dedication

This booklet is dedicated to my dear mother, Princess Jacqueline Kemayou Ngassa. Like many often ignored African mothers, she is a silent heroine. Selflessly, she carried the entire family by instilling in us values and discipline, along with a double dose of courage and hard work ethic.

Her untold story of orphan hood, faith, love, sacrifice, and endurance has always been a great inspiration to me.

I love her deeply and feel extremely blessed and privileged to call her my mother.

Acknowledgments

To my daughters, Rehana and Yoali, thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement, counsel and inspiration.

To my niece, Sarada, and other mentees, with whom I started this project, I want you to know that through constantly seeking my counsel and advice, you have compelled me to share my insights with others by formulating a set of lessons learned. Thank you!

I am eternally grateful to my parents, Isaac and Princess Jacqueline, for all the sacrifices made along the way, your prayers to heaven guided you in raising my siblings and me. I have inherited my strong conviction, stubbornness, and energy from you both. Thank you for the unwavering support of my dreams.

Thank you to my siblings, friends and family members, who created a shield around me and patiently supported my unbelievable career choices. I know that often your concern was there, but you simply continued with unbridled love and encouragement, which is so very much appreciated.

Moving to the United States, and during many career changes, I have met incredible people. There were people who believed, inspired, and encouraged me when I doubted my ability.

Yes, I was on a road less traveled and had to deal with the ridicule about my crazy, but sincere dreams. I must confess that there were times I blamed myself for having such desires. To those incredible people, who were like angels to me, thank you for opening my eyes to life's possibilities! You helped me realize that I can reach for any opportunities that comes my way.

I would be remiss if I forgot to give thanks to my opponents, whose difference of opinion fueled me with the energy I needed to pursue my dreams.

Special expression of gratitude to friends like to Wiebe Boer, Stephanie Ange Nya, Bernadette Paolo, Samantha Elphick, Dorinda White, Tina Jane Krohn, Patricia Ware, Francois Baird and Marieme Jamme for their inspiration, words of encouragements, wisdom and contribution to this book project.

Above all, I am very thankful to God my Creator for the path He created, and the wonderful life He has given me. The reality is that the uncommon challenges I have endured, are what makes my life rewarding and inspiring.

My achievements are simply an added bonus from hard work.

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Foreword

There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.

Julius Caesar, Act 4, Scene 3 by William Shakespeare

The tide is in Africa's favor right now and Africans should take it at the flood.

Africa rising is a theme newly embraced, due mainly to the performance of African countries in the political economic sphere, over the last two decades. Slowly, the new crop of African leaders is getting recognition for this achievement. Hopefully the next phase in Africa's history will be a confident bootstrap phase unparalleled in its history, where Africans seek guidance, advice and support amongst themselves, to help each other make their mark in this increasingly competitive world.

This contribution by Angelle Kwemo, my extraordinary friend and colleague, is a stepping-stone towards this new bootstrap phase, necessary for Africa to take its rightful place in the world. As an