In “Your Story” we celebrate the remarkable stories of everyday Americans from diverse backgrounds — in their own words — showcasing the enduring spirit of Our America’s Hometown Heroes across the nation.
Blede is a Political Science student at Georgia State University, where she leads the Campus Heroes Chapter. Originally from Ivory Coast, Paule is passionate about promoting free speech, understanding and empowering women.
“I’m originally from Ivory Coast, and in my family, I have two older siblings, as well as a younger sibling. Growing up, my parents encouraged me to follow my own path, to keep moving forward, to stay determined, and to have courage and faith.
I moved to the U.S. in 2019, where I earned my bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Central Arkansas, and then worked towards a master’s in the same field.
Courage was crucial for me, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, I was working on my master’s degree, and I almost gave up. With the shift to online learning and the isolation of lockdown, I realized just how lonely I was, living in a new country far from home.
I remember the day before graduation, feeling like I couldn’t do it anymore. I had a project due, but I was exhausted and thought, ‘This is it. I’m going to fail.’ But then, something inside me—and I know now that it was God—reminded me that I had come too far to give up. I pushed through, completed my project, and graduated with my first master’s degree. Now, I’m pursuing a second master’s in political science at Georgia State University, which I believe is a testimony of perseverance.
Something that really struck me about American culture was the freedom of speech—the ability to say what you think, without taboos. There’s also freedom in the workplace, the opportunity to pursue your career without the limitations I might have experienced back home.
However, despite these freedoms, I feel like both the U.S. and Ivory Coast face similar challenges, especially regarding women’s rights when it comes to maternity leave and work-life balance.
The American Dream represents liberty and opportunity—the belief that you can achieve anything you want here. But it should always come with responsibility. Freedom is essential, but it ends where it begins to hurt others. Accountability is key.
One of the things I like the most about America is the diversity—especially when I visited Washington, D.C. It’s a city full of embassies and historical significance, and I even saw the Embassy of Ivory Coast. The diversity here is a strength, but there’s still work to be done in connecting different communities. We often see people staying within their own groups, but I believe we are all humans before being anything else: race shouldn’t divide us.
I think freedom of speech plays a big role in this because it helps clarify people’s intentions. When you know what someone is thinking, you’re less likely to view them as a threat.
Silencing people only deepens misunderstandings. It takes courage and maturity to engage with others, especially when you disagree with them. But just because someone doesn’t share your views doesn’t mean they’re your enemy. We need to listen to one another, and that takes both courage and maturity.
As the leader of a Campus Heroes chapter at Georgia State University, my goal is to inspire others. It’s not enough just to educate people—if they don’t feel inspired to act, the education is meaningless. I want to encourage others to take courageous steps, to seize opportunities, and to believe in themselves.”
