Telling your story, releases you from the pain in your past and propels you into the prosperity of your future. Tamela C. Todd uses the transitions of her life to write her story of perseverance and growth. After surviving a home where her father's mental health challenges fostered chaos, she mimicked the familiar dysfunction in her first marriage. She thought the constant discord of emotional and mental abuse was normal until her love for reading self-help books stimulated her self-love. She experienced an epiphany from which she discovered her value. Determined to design a new pattern for herself and her daughters, she aims to shun the stigmas about mental health while raising awareness that will empower others. Her 20 years in healthcare has deepened her insight into the effects of physical, emotional and mental trauma. She models what it means when you refuse to live behind the scenes, by living a life free from secrets. Depending on the situation, she can embody an extroverted or introverted persona. As the founder and executive director of Brown Girls Read Book Club, her passion for literacy shapes future leaders. She believes literacy gives us the ability to initiate and participate in discussions, debates, and decisions related to individuals and our community. Besides reading and writing, she enjoys family time and sipping wine or coffee while planning her next vacation.