"Black Royalty" and Family Legacy

• 👑 Nicole Avant, daughter of Clarence Avant (The Black Godfather) and Jacqueline Avant, grew up surrounded by luminaries of the time, including Muhammad Ali and Quincy Jones.
• 🌟 She became a powerhouse political fundraiser and the first Black woman US ambassador to the Bahamas.
• 💡 Her mother instilled in her the importance of honoring ancestors and understanding the legacy she was born into.

Navigating Devastating Loss

• 💔 Nicole shares the harrowing experience of learning her mother, Jacqueline Avant, was murdered in her home on December 1st, 2021.
• 🕊️ Despite the shock and fury, her immediate thought was a prayer not to hate the perpetrator, a testament to her deep faith.
• 🌊 She describes her grief as feeling like quicksand, but relied on her faith and a higher power to hold and protect her.

The Power of Faith and Forgiveness

• 🙏 Nicole's "superpower" is her faith, which her mother cultivated by emphasizing individuality and eternal perspective.
• 📖 Her memoir, "Think You'll Be Happy," emerged from her grief journey, with the title inspired by her mother's last text.
• 🤝 She emphasizes that showing up for others in times of crisis, even without knowing what to say, is a profound act of love and support.

Processing Trauma and Finding Joy

• 🔁 For nine months, Nicole replayed the events of her mother's murder nightly, a difficult but necessary part of her trauma processing.
• ⚖️ Ironically, the man who murdered her mother was someone she was working to help, highlighting the betrayal of her selfless deeds.
• 🌟 She learned to "swim through trauma" rather than drown, choosing joy and resilience even amidst profound sorrow.

Honoring Her Parents' Lives

• 💔 The passing of her father, Clarence Avant, was a peaceful experience at home, a stark contrast to her mother's violent death.
• 🎶 She found comfort in playing Frank Sinatra for her father during his final moments, connecting him to his life force and rhythm.
• 🌱 The book concludes with the message that we must choose joy and live fully for those who can't, using gratitude as a weapon against sorrow.