Jesmane Boggenpoel is the author of My Blood Divides and Unites: Race, Identity, Reconciliation. In her new book, Jesmane explores the importance of dealing with the past and moving forward with purpose.

Jesmane Boggenpoel is an experienced business executive and former Head of Business Engagement for Africa at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. She has served on the boards of various South African and international organizations. Boggenpoel is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University’s JFK School of Government. Jesmane was honored as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, is a Harvard Mason fellow and a shareholder and founding board member of African Women Chartered Accountants Investment Holdings. Boggenpoel has extensive global experience having studied and worked on three continents, as well as traveling to over 65 countries.

Jesmane’s story is one of identity and heritage. Born into poverty and state-mandated third-class status, Jesmane was weighed down by self-doubt, feelings of inferiority and shame. “Who am I really?” - is a question we all often ask ourselves, and it’s a powerful question that Jesmane poses in this week’s new episode. She grew up in South Africa during the Apartheid, and in this week’s new episode she shares her struggles with identity, and how through exploring her early life, embracing the difficulties that surrounded her upbringing, and ultimately crafting a new narrative for herself - she’s been able to bring about greater acceptance, inclusion, and boundless possibility.

Who am I really? Is a question so many of us ask ourselves, and it’s a question Jesmane sought to uncover with her new book. The results brought her clarity, peace and an understanding that it’s important to confront her pain and vulnerability, and ultimately reframe her story. The stories Jesmane tells in this book - her story, and those of people from around the world spanning from US, Mexico across to India, Pakistan, Nepal and to Rwanda - can bring healing and inspiration to all.

“I’ve made a conscious choice to forgive and heal from the past, to recognize our innate human frailty and I decided that I’m not going to reject any of my ancestors, as this would be rejecting a part of who I am. As individuals, communities, and nations we can embrace our past including parts of history which are less comfortable. We can forgive those who have oppressed us. We can ban hate and bias while bringing people together.”

— Jesmane Boggenpoel

Tune in on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bZHrtjAzbksbLWNaak1NM

Tune in on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-inspiring-joy/id1510488632

To connect with Jesmane and learn more visit her on her website https://myblooddividesandunites.com and on Instagram @jesmaneboggenpoel and Facebook @myblooddividesandunites and Twitter @jesmaneboggenp1 and you can purchase her new book here

Stories of Inspiring Joy is a production of Seek The Joy Media and created by Sydney Weiss. To learn more and submit your story, click here.