In this episode, I’m joined by the vibrant and deeply inspiring Jebeh Edmunds, a storyteller, educator, entrepreneur, and soon-to-be-published author of The Orange Blossom. We have a heartfelt conversation about the power of pivoting and what it means to resurrect parts of ourselves that may have been silenced. From her childhood in Liberia, West Africa, to becoming a wife, mother, and business owner, Jebeh shares her journey of honoring her heritage and making a profound impact beyond the classroom.
Among many other topics, we explore:
From Liberia to the United States: Jebeh shares her journey as a Liberian American, detailing how her parents immigrated from West Africa to the U.S. and instilled in her a strong sense of heritage, education, and family.
A Father's Profound Impact: We discuss the powerful moment when Jebeh's father visited her sixth-grade classroom to teach her peers about Liberian history, a moment that instilled in her a sense of responsibility and pride in her identity. This experience, along with her father's passing years later, inspired her to take a leap and pursue her business full-time.
The Village Mentality: Jebeh explains the importance of extended family and kinship in Liberian culture, highlighting how this strong support system provided her with a sense of belonging and helped her navigate challenges like racism and prejudice.
The Pivot from Classroom to CEO: Our guest recounts how she went from being a first and fifth-grade teacher for 18 years to founding Jebeh Cultural Consulting. Her decision was a direct response to her father's death, prompting her to create a business that provided cultural resources and promoted positive change.
Fact vs. Opinion in the Digital Age: We dive into the challenges of misinformation and implied messages in today’s world. Jebeh emphasizes the need for critical thinking and checking multiple sources to ensure accuracy, a practice she taught her own students.
A Love Letter to Her People: She shares the inspiration behind her upcoming novella, The Orange Blossom, revealing that it is a love letter to her Liberian people. The book, a soap opera with a purpose, honors her family and cultural heritage, particularly her grandmother, who introduced her to the world of soap operas.
Join us for an inspiring and empowering episode about honoring your heritage, trusting your inner voice, and being courageous enough to take a leap and start your own ripples.
Connect with Jebeh!
Website: https://jebehedmunds.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jebeh-edmunds-ms-teaching-3b9334101/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jebeh-Cultural-Consulting/100063708180388/