“The Storm Didn’t Break Me”: Lady Kpukuyou's Upcoming Journal Encourages Liberians to Heal and Reclaim Their True Identity

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: As Liberia continues to grapple with the legacy of its past, an entrepreneur, women’s rights advocate, and Executive Director of African Youth and Women Empowerment Initiative (AYOWEI), Lady Leelai M. Kpukuyou, is stepping forward with a compelling call for national introspection and cultural revival.

Lady Kpukuyou is an adorned investment professional, an ardent campaigner for women’s rights, and a powerful voice in international governance. 

With over two decades of knowledge, the diplomat has headed critical debates on the global platforms, campaigning for policy modifications and deliberate initiatives that seek to empower communities and foster financial growth and stability.

Ahead of the official launch of her debut memoir named and styled:  “The Light I Carried Through the Storm”, the former Secretary General of the Liberia Business Association (LIBA) Lady Kpukuyou who is accredited for playing a pivotal role in Liberia’s membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2016 is urging Liberians to rediscover their strength, embrace their uniqueness, and hold fast to the cultural heritage that defines the nation’s true identity.

The revered author described her journal as “a tribute to my younger self and a mirror for others who have carried unseen burdens.” She offers a deeply personal narrative that echoes broader national truths.

From Bong to Lofa to Margibi, the regions she identifies with are not just places on a map, but “spiritual anchors that shaped my identity, values, and vision,” she intoned.

In an exclusive interview with K-News, Lady Kpukuyou underscored the need for Liberians to lead with inspiration and guide others through uncertainty, particularly in a nation still healing from the scars of civil war and political upheaval.

“Liberia needs leaders of light, not chaos,” she said, adding, “We must move forward by remembering where we’ve come from and refusing to repeat the wounds of the past.”

She also sounded a warning to both public officials and private citizens who incite conflict, noting how such actions risk reopening national wounds.

Referencing the recent tensions surrounding the Capitol Building arson incident, she stressed the importance of restraint, accountability, and preserving peace. “We know what instability costs,” she stated. “Liberia cannot afford to bleed again for the same reasons.”

Her upcoming memoir does more than just recount her journey. The personal journal stands as a vessel for collective memory, honoring the resilience of survivors who endured displacement, trauma, and conflict.

She encourages readers to reflect on the Liberia that existed before the civil war, one rooted in pride, dignity, and rich traditions, and to “reclaim that vision for the sake of our children.”

The book opens with her own story of escape at age 12, fleeing the chaos of Liberia’s civil war, capturing not just the fear and loss, but also the resilience and clarity that carried her through uncertainty.

Her story speaks directly to the generation often referred to as “kamikaze kids,” young survivors who were forced to mature quickly in the face of violence, and who now carry the responsibility of shaping a peaceful future.

“We are more than our pain,” she says in the memoir. “Our story is not just war, it's survival, hope, and restoration.”

The “Light I Carried Through the Storm” is a memoir of personal growth, healing, and national calling that reminds readers that Liberia’s identity must extend beyond its darkest chapters and instead be grounded in the courage of its people.

The official book launch is set for Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the Monrovia City Hall. 

The event is expected to draw a diverse mix of guests from both the public and private sectors and promises to be a powerful celebration of storytelling, reflection, and national pride.

Lady Kpukuyou bagged a unique intermingling of knowledge in trade, investment, and humanitarian advocacy, and has crafted herself in a unique place on the local and global platforms as an important force in shaping public policies and promoting socio-economic growth. 

As an award-winning global consultant and social reformist, her work is rooted in a deep commitment to advancing human rights, particularly for women and youth across Africa.