A Piece of Cake: Cupcake Brown: one woman's story of courage and overcoming adversity

BLACK women love awe-inspiring stories about other Black women who have overcome adversity to go on to achieve great things. Cupcake Brown is one of those women. She lost her mother at an early age and found herself at 13 engaged in prostitution and drugs. At 25, she nearly lost her life when she was shot in a drive-by shooting. Soon, with the help of a guardian angel, she left the streets behind. At 37, she graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law. Today, she earns more than $125,000 annually working as a lawyer in the San Francisco Bay area. She reveals her story in A PIECE OF CAKE: A MEMOIR (Crown Publishers, $24.95). In an interview, she talks to EBONY about her life.

Q: What would you say is the heart of your story, and what led you to write your story?

A: Well, I don't believe my story can be reduced to one "heart," since there are several that make it what it is. First and foremost, it is the message that all things are possible with God. I was a dopefiend-gangsta-thief-preteen-teenage-adult -prostitute-high-school-dropout-no-GED-card-carrying drunk. I had to make the choice to change my life. I had to want [to change]. So in addition to faith, it would take work--hard work--to change, [including] perseverance, determination, commitment and dedication. Further, I was the type of person "society" said could not change. Yet, with the characteristics I just mentioned, together with strong faith and a positive support group, I was not only able to change, but was able to make drastic changes. Note, said a "positive" support group. So many times, it's the people around us who cause us to doubt ourselves or falter in aspirations, causing us to not reach our goals. Life is a stage; I had to be extremely cautious about who I allowed to sit in the front rows of my audience.

Q: What was the most difficult "'piece" of your past?

A: It was all difficult. In fact, I'd passed "bottom." By the time I'd gotten clean and sober, I had to reach up to touch bottom.

Q: How do you hope to help other women who may (or may not) be just like you were?

A: I hope that my story is able to help women, but also men as well as boys and girls. It involves universal issues. For example, low self-esteem isn't a woman's issue. It's a human issue, as is self-doubt, lack of self-respect or respect for others, and numerous other human traits. My story is a people story, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief (or lack thereof) and educational or social economic background. Everyone is, has or will struggle with some type of personal issue. Everyone needs encouragement at one time or another. My goal is to hopefully inspire as many people as I can and to let them know that no matter what challenges they may face in life, they're not alone--and any challenge can be overcome.

Q: What is the message of inspiration that you would most like your reading audience to walk away with?

A: That you can change--if you want it bad enough. Your past doesn't have to be your future. We are responsible for our choices, and God makes the impossible possible.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning