Amistad, in collaboration with Lavette Books, will publish the highly anticipated memoir of Caroline A. Wanga, President & CEO of Essence Ventures, in May 2025. Entitled *Iâm Highly Percent Sure*, the book promises a candid and insightful exploration of Wangaâs journey to achieving both corporate and personal success.
Wanga, also co-founder of WangaWoman LLC, presents a compelling narrative that blends humour and honesty. The memoir delves into the internal conflicts between her intuition and self-doubt, offering readers "instigational" inspiration to discover and embrace their own purpose. Instead of a purely intellectual approach, Wanga aims to evoke an emotional response, encouraging readers to connect with her experiences on a deeply personal level. She hopes the book will empower readers to believe in a future they might not have previously envisioned.
Central themes explored within *Iâm Highly Percent Sure
include:
Heritage as Anchor: The memoir traces Wanga's roots in Kenya, navigating the complexities of becoming a mother before reaching adulthood, and facing challenges as others attempted to define her potential without her input. This section highlights the enduring strength and resilience forged from her heritage.
Inspiration as Instigation: Wanga shares her unique perspective on intuition, describing how it has guided her decisions, sometimes with remarkable foresight, and at other times unexpectedly. This exploration challenges the notion of a purely linear path to success, highlighting the importance of embracing uncertainty.
Purpose as Propellant: The book introduces Wanga's "Architecture of Authenticity" and "5-Fails-A-Day" frameworks, practical tools she developed to help others identify and pursue their life's purpose. These frameworks are presented as adaptable strategies for personal growth and development.
Authenticity as Advantage: Wanga's career, marked by success in the non-profit and retail sectors and now leading Essence Ventures, serves as a testament to the power of authenticity. At Essence Ventures, she leads a portfolio of influential brands â including ESSENCE, Afropunk, Essence Studios, and BeautyCon â focused on building a thriving global Black economic ecosystem. Her approach emphasizes the creation of a culture that values equity and celebrates diversity.
The memoir culminates in a reflection on Wanga's personal motto: "Who You Are Is Who You Are. If You Cannot Be Who You Are, Where You Are, You Change Where You Are, Not Who You Are.â This philosophy underscores the book's central message of self-acceptance and empowerment. Wanga's intention is for readers to adapt and apply her frameworks to their own lives.
About the Author:
Caroline A. Wanga is a highly accomplished executive with a distinguished career spanning both the corporate and non-profit sectors. She co-founded WangaWoman LLC in 2020, driven by a mission to "Democratize Authenticity." Before leading Essence Ventures, Wanga spent 15 years at Target Corporation, rising from intern to Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Culture Officer.
Book Details:
Title: *Iâm Highly Percent Sure*
Author: Caroline A. Wanga
Publisher: Amistad in collaboration with Lavette Books
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 192
Price: $24.99
ISBN: 9780063360389
Publication Date: 6 May 2025
*Iâm Highly Percent Sure
promises to be a compelling and inspiring read for anyone seeking to navigate their personal and professional journeys with authenticity and purpose. Wanga's unique perspective and practical frameworks offer a valuable roadmap for readers striving to achieve their full potential.