Black Mamba was born with a disability and faced neglect early in life, but she found solace in music and sports. She quickly discovered her talent for basketball and rose to become the captain of the Congolese national disabled sports team. Today, she inspires young people to overcome challenges and follow their dreams, proving that perseverance and passion can lead to greatness.
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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.