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  • Walk Through Fire

  • A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph
  • By: Sheila Johnson
  • Narrated by: Sheila Johnson
  • Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (10 ratings)

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Walk Through Fire

By: Sheila Johnson
Narrated by: Sheila Johnson
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Summary

The cofounder of BET and first African American woman billionaire shares her deeply personal, “highly readable” (Kirkus Reviews) journey through love and loss, tragedy and triumph—an inspiring story of overcoming toxic influences, discovering her true self, and at last finding happiness in her work and life.

From humble beginnings as a schoolgirl and a young violinist in Maywood, Illinois, Sheila Johnson rose to become one of the most accomplished businesswomen in America. A cofounder of Black Entertainment Television, she became an entrepreneur and philanthropist at the highest levels.

But that success came at a painful personal cost.

Sheila grew up in a middle-class family that encouraged her love of the arts and music. But her idyllic childhood ended at age sixteen when her beloved father announced that he was leaving for another woman, an act that shattered her mother and destroyed Sheila’s trust. She vowed she’d never be in her mother’s position—dependent on a man for her sense of self-worth and for financial security. Yet when she was barely out of her teens, Sheila married a man who would take her right down that same unfortunate path.

Filled with sharply drawn, emotionally powerful senses, Walk Through Fire traces the hardships Sheila faced in her marriage and her professional life. Despite her skills as a violinist and music teacher, as well as her obvious entrepreneurial talent, she had to fight to overcome self-doubt and fears of failure. Sheila vividly details her struggles, including battling institutional racism, losing a child, suffering emotional abuse in her thirty-three-year marriage, and plunging into a deep depression with her divorce. And yet, out of that pain came renewed purpose and meaning. In the third act of her life, Sheila Johnson has not only made her mark as the founder of Salamander Hotels & Resorts and the only Black female coowner of three professional sports teams, she has also, finally, found true love.

Walk Through Fire is a uniquely American success story. And it is the deeply personal portrait of one woman who, despite heartache and obstacles, finally found herself and her place in the world.

©2023 Sheila Johnson (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio
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What listeners say about Walk Through Fire

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Inspirational

Great story, with twists and turns of tenacity, talent and grit, I am team Sheila 100%. I am a fan! can't wait to go to the resort next year....

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Personal triumph

I liked this story. It brought some clarity of the thinking behind BET. I never stood for the degeneration of culture that it’d become and seeing how prominent it was worldwide in the psyche the Black diaspora, I couldn’t understand how a Black woman founder could be behind such. Overall a really good listen.

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Brutal honesty

Wow. This is a great story of the BET family, fortune and love. I missed the headlines but Sheila shares all of the secrets.

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Powerful and Inspiring

Sheila is the definition of “when you’re going through hell, don’t stop”. What a powerful and inspiring life! I 100% recommend this book.

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Blown away!

I am a 61 year old black British woman living in the UK but I had never heard of Sheila Johnson. However I have watched the BET channel. I can’t believe that I’ve actually completed listening to a whole Audible book! I was so engrossed in this story! I cried with her! As a survivor of domestic violence and a failed marriage, this story empowered me. Her narration was perfect, I’m so glad she narrated the story herself. She surely has impacted my life for the better.

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Empowering

This is an incredible and inspiring book of Ms. Johnson’s journey to self empowerment. I found myself having many emotions whilst listening to this audible. I found myself wanting to protect the child going through the painful experience of her parent’s breakup. Becoming impatient with the domestic situation and the emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of her first husband. Cheering her on as she triumphed over all the adversities sent her way. Her self doubt that she finally turned into empowerment. Brilliant book and I would recommend a great read for women especially women of colour everywhere.

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Powerfully inspiring

Wow. Powerful life lessons from Sheila Johnson. Strength, courage, intelligence, grit and grace. I was hooked and completely transported by her marvellous, honest storytelling. Her truth. Brilliant - you have encouraged and lifted another generation, thank you Sheila!

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Very Inspirational

Great read with stories that one can resonate with. Very inspiring and informative. Really enjoyed the book and have recommended it to other female friends.

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