As I start another beautiful year, a gift from God, I say a very BIG THANK YOU to God Almighty for giving me another chance to live. Living is a privilege I do not take for granted.
October is my birth month. It is also a month of remembrance and milestones for me. I regained my freedom from human trafficking and domestic violence in October. I also launched my business, Bukola Oriola Group, LLC, formerly known as Bukola Braiding & Beauty Supply LLC and fondly called Bukola Braiding by my clients, in the same month.
It’s amazing how time flies. This October marks 18 years since I started operating my business in Minnesota. I count my blessings, the blessing of life, the gift of strength to keep going in the face of adversity, and the help God has surrounded me with through people like you.
Empowering Survivors with Dignity
I am an advocate for shifting away from asking survivors of crime to retell their stories over and over again. As a storyteller, I understand the power of storytelling, but I also recognize how revisiting traumatic experiences can be harmful.
Instead of asking survivors to repeat their stories, let’s ask for practical tips on how to help someone in a similar situation. When given the choice, survivors may decide to share parts of their stories as examples. That choice is powerful. It gives them control over their own narratives.
I choose to share my story to help others. I did not choose for others to re-traumatize or re-exploit me for my story.
A Message of Hope
I am grateful for how far the journey has brought me. If you are a victim seeking help, please reach out. There is help. If you are a survivor looking for support or trying to figure out how to use your experience to make an impact in your community, reach out as well. You can transform systems and change lives, even as a business owner, consultant, or entrepreneur raising awareness through your products or services.
Honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I salute all the survivors, especially the silent survivors who may never share their stories publicly but are embedded in every aspect of this work: as advocates, nurses, teachers, social workers, clinicians, judges, lawyers, and passionate community allies.
I also pray for the souls of those lost to this crime. May they rest in peace.
And to a group that is often overlooked – the men – I see you, I hear you, and I feel you.
Give Back and Support Survivors
Today only, enjoy 45% off all products with code: Bukola45 when you spend $50 from Ewa Hair & Skincare. Take advantage of this special offer. Remember, your purchase supports survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.
If you prefer to make a tax-deductible year-end donation, please consider supporting The Enitan Story, a nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status since May 2014 (EIN: 46-3503055).
