TIME, We the Planet and E-PR Online Support Eddie Ndopu’s Book Launch with Special Guests Jessica Sibley, Kunal Sood, and Irina Proskurina
A remarkable event unfolded on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, as global humanitarian and United Nations SDG Advocate, Eddie Ndopu, revealed his deeply moving memoir, “Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever.” The private house in New York, generously offered by a philanthropic family dedicated to supporting Ndopu’s work, served as the venue for this special book launch, where highly prominent New Yorkers and guests of the city from various industries gathered to celebrate the author’s triumph and support his future success as an author.
In his memoir, penned with incredible determination over three years using just one finger, Eddie Ndopu shares an extraordinary journey as a disabled individual who defied societal expectations to achieve remarkable success. “Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw” is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, inspiring readers to overcome their own challenges and embrace their capacity for greatness. The book’s profound impact has earned it a place among Apple and Amazon’s Best Books of August 2023.
The book launch exuded warmth, inspiration, and celebration of life. Eddie Ndopu himself delivered an emotional speech, inviting the guests to glimpse into his unique life experiences and the powerful message he hopes to convey through his memoir. He also took the time to have private conversations with many of the event’s high-level attendees that included UN diplomats, celebrities and iconic New Yorkers. It is rare that a New York book publication event captures such a profound sense of purpose and inclusivity with so many extraordinary leaders in the room.
Among prominent event attendees was Jessica Sibley. As the CEO of TIME Magazine, who did a fireside talk with the author, Sibley’s presence added weight to the significance of Ndopu’s literary milestone, demonstrating the book’s appeal and relevance across diverse audiences. TIME recently featured Ndopu’s piece adapted from the memoir.
The event also served as a vibrant platform for the exchange of ideas and the forging of partnerships. One power trio the reception saw is Irina Proskurina – CEO of digital agency E-PR Online, Andreas Arellano – global networker and business generator, and Kunal Sood – Internationally acclaimed, award-winning impact entrepreneur and co-founder of We the Planet.
We the Planet was launched at the United Nations by the founder Kunal Sood in 2019 with his co-founder Laura Muranaka. They welcomed Eddie Ndopu into its ranks in 2020 as a keynote speaker, recognizing his invaluable contribution to their mission of unifying the world around making the impossible possible to protect life on land and under the sea. Together, they have now embarked on Mission Hope to democratize traveling to outer space for all – it is an ambitious endeavor to put the first disabled person on the moon by 2030, showcasing Ndopu as an exemplary candidate for the mission through a poignant video campaign created, produced and sponsored by Kunal Sood. The collaborative project Mission Hope continues to empower individuals with disabilities worldwide, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and become beacons of hope, courage, and extraordinary citizenship by embodying the idea of making the impossible possible.
Kunal Sood confessed that Eddie Ndopu’s story has touched him on a personal level, too. Sood himself grew up with an invisible disability and, over his lifetime, managed to harness it as his superpower by cultivating a mindset around making the impossible possible in life and serving to empower others with the same belief. “This is something Eddie Ndopu and I have in common – we are both very passionate about unlocking humanity”s exponential potential,” says Sood.
In the midst of the event, Kunal Sood and Irina Proskurina discussed their partnership, as Ms. Proskurina had recently joined forces with We The Planet. This collaboration aims to create even more impactful global campaigns that safeguard cities and nations and the planet from the adverse effects of climate change, reflecting their shared commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Irina’s media savvy and connections will come in handy to spread awareness of the project’s cause and extraordinary vision – to transform our world for a better future by uniting the youth and elders to solve the world’s most urgent global grand challenges.
As “Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw” gains momentum in the literary world, its message of hope, resilience, and reimagining success has already touched the hearts and minds of so many brave souls. Eddie Ndopu’s extraordinary journey serves as an inspiration to us all, proving that determination and belief in oneself can defy all odds.
Source: nyweekly.com
