00:00My name is Lorraine Melody Black Mamba, a basketball player for the national team of the DRC and a rap musician.
00:18At their training court in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lorraine Melody Black Mamba shoots hoops with her fellow players.
00:27For her, no obstacle is too high to overcome, especially for someone with her determination.
00:34I dream of playing in the United States.
00:40Lorraine's journey to success has been marked by challenges. Her early years were shaped by prejudices and misconceptions towards differently abled people.
00:50When you're a woman and nine months pregnant, everyone expects a beautiful child. Unfortunately, my mother had a daughter with disabilities.
00:59That wasn't easy to accept, so my mother did not want people to see me out of fear of what people would say and how they would judge her.
01:08But my dad said she's a normal person, like everyone else.
01:12Lorraine's path, however, had more difficulties in store for her. At the age of 14, she was sexually abused and became pregnant.
01:21With the help of her family, however, she managed to raise her child.
01:25Today, her 13-year-old daughter, the oldest of her children, is her pride and joy.
01:32While she remained silent about her abuse for a very long time, she is now ready to talk about it.
01:37Instead of letting this experience define her, Lorraine chose to use it as a catalyst for change.
01:46I realize that I'm a woman and I must give myself value, take care of myself and above all, be myself. I'm doing this to make sure nobody relives my experience.
01:59To amplify her message of empowerment, Lorraine harnesses her talent as a rap artist.
02:06Her music serves as a platform to inspire and uplift her community.
02:12In 2019, Black Mamba was named Goma's Best Rapper and her empowering lyrics comes from within.
02:28Lorraine's journey is far from over.
02:31She intends to push herself with unwavering pursuit of her basketball dreams coupled with her passion for music.
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