#022: Living the Ubuntu Life with Hermence Masotsa

If 2020 has taught us anything between the coronavirus pandemic, quarantines, and the anti-racism revolution after George Floyd’s death, it’s the importance of connection. Today I’m honored to be joined by Hermence Masotsa; a lover of humanity, seeker of knowledge, cross cultural communicator, and adventurer who is passionate about motivating and guiding others to see the humanity within themselves. In today’s episode, Hermence shares with us the South African philosophy of ubuntu and how you can adopt it for yourself and live it everyday to connect more with others around you and in doing so, truly find yourself.

You’ll learn more about:

• [8:28] An introduction to ubuntu philosophy
• [11:00] How a spur of the moment trip to Ecuador at age 19 spurred Hermence’s passions for connecting with others on a deeper level
• [14:48] What ubuntu looks like in everyday life and how you can start living an ubuntu lifestyle
• [22:00] The lessons she learned from her mother about trust, adventure, compassion, and helping others
• [28:33] The one question Hermence was asked while in the Peace Corps that she will never forget and helped her redefine who she was
• [31:55] How to define yourself without titles, and why it’s important to do so
• [39:00] Lessons from the publicity of George Floyd’s dehumanization and murder
• [40:56] Lessons she learned from her 4 year old and Elijah McClain about humanity and who we need to be
• [47:22] How to understand allyship and resources to become a better ally
• [1:00:00] Hermence’s surprising birthday ritual that helps her release each year
• And so much more!

Below are the list of books Hermence believes are a great insight into the history of race relations in the United States as well as her favorites about living an UBUNTU life.

1. The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu
2. UBUNTU! An Inspiring Story About an African Tradition of Teamwork in Collaboration By Bob Nelson
3. Everyday UBUNTU: Living Better Together, the African Way by Mungi Ngomane
4. Go Together: How The Concept of UBUNTU Will Change How you Live, Work, and Lead by Shola Richards
5. The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary by Mark Sanborn

Race and History 

1. Willie Lynch Letter and the Making of a Slave by Willie Lynch
2. They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America by Ivan Van Sertima
3. Medical Apartheid of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times To The Present- Harriet Washington
4. Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X Kendi
5. The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon
6. Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendal
7. Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race -Debby Irving
8. The Working Poor: The Invisible in America by David K. Shipler

Connect and learn more from Hermence here:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ubuntuworkforce.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmubuntuworkforce/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/uBuntuSpeaks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ubuntuspeaks_hermence/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uBuntuSpeaksLLC

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