Light and Hope | Blessing “Bled” Chimanga | TEDxPaloAlto

The speaker, Blessing Chimanga from Zimbabwe, expresses profound gratitude for being on the TEDx stage in California, a dream come true since her childhood days of making music with makeshift instruments. She shares that her journey, from playing with empty tins in her backyard, has been fueled by a persistent belief in her dreams, encouraging the audience to hold onto theirs and not be deterred by others' limitations. Chimanga then introduces her first song, "Shine," a powerful anthem about resilience and inner light. She urges listeners to keep their flame alive, even in dark times, and to continue shining wherever they go. The song is punctuated by calls for audience participation, with prompts to move to the left and right, and to sing along with the chorus, emphasizing the message of spreading love and light. The lyrics reiterate the idea that there is an inherent power and light within everyone, making everything all right. Following "Shine," Chimanga presents her final song, "Love Me as I Am." She addresses the societal tendency for people to feel inadequate about themselves, advocating for a shift towards self-acceptance and pride in one's identity. She specifically calls out the beauty in being African, American, Italian, black, white, or any other ethnicity, emphasizing that everyone is beautiful as they are. Chimanga shares a personal anecdote about being told from birth that music and being black were associated with poverty, but she asserts her self-love and pride in her identity. She then engages the audience in a lively call-and-response, encouraging them to sing "Love me as I am" and "Take me as I am" with deep emotion. She introduces her band members and playfully teaches the audience a simple dance routine, a "shaky, shaky" move, to further connect with the music and the message. The performance culminates with an energetic invitation for everyone to stand up and dance, reinforcing the joyous and inclusive spirit of the event. Chimanga thanks TEDx for making her dream a reality and bids farewell, reminding everyone that they are beautiful as they are. She expresses her love for the audience and wishes them well, leaving them with a powerful message of self-love and acceptance. The entire presentation is a testament to the power of dreams, resilience, and the celebration of individual identity through music.