Kim Lanham is a 62-year-old Black veteran who has overcome sexual assault, addiction and foreclosure to become a successful entrepreneur. She is the founder and owner of Bag’z N’ Thang’z, a business that sells Afrocentric products, especially handbags with traditional African colors. She was also named the Female Entrepreneur of the Year by the Southern Connecticut Black Chamber of Commerce in 2022. In this blog post, we will explore her inspiring story and how she turned her pain into power.
Kim Lanham joined the U.S. Army when she was 21 years old. She had a traumatic experience while serving in the military: she was sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier. She said she cried for a week after the incident, but she did not let it define her. She said she relied on her faith to stay strong and resilient. “I turned my pain into power,” she said.
Kim Lanham also struggled with addiction for many years. She said she used to dim her light, but she decided to change her life for the better. She has been clean and sober for almost a decade now. She said she loves her life today and she is grateful for every day. “I am going to remain clean and sober because I love my life today,” she said.
Kim Lanham faced another challenge ten years ago: she almost lost her home to foreclosure. She said she was desperate and scared, but she did not give up. She started a business venture called Bag’z N’ Thang’z, which sells Afrocentric products online and at local events. She said her handbags are her biggest sellers, as they reflect her culture and heritage. She said her business has been growing steadily and has helped her pay off her mortgage and secure her future.
Kim Lanham said she celebrates Black History Month by reflecting on how far she has come and how much she has achieved. She said every Black person’s story is part of the Black history narrative, and she encourages others to share their stories and free themselves from their past. She said she is proud of her journey and her identity as a Black woman, a veteran and an entrepreneur. “I used to dim my light, but now I’m shining and I love it. I love it,” she said.
Kim Lanham is an example of courage, perseverance and success. She has overcome many obstacles and challenges in her life, but she has never lost hope or faith. She has turned her pain into power, and her passion into profit. She is an inspiration to many people, especially other Black women who face similar struggles or discrimination. She is a living proof that anything is possible with determination, hard work and self-love.
References:
: Stratford veteran, now a successful entrepreneur, turns painful past into power
: Stratford veteran, now a successful entrepreneur, turns painful past into power
