At the heart of every award is a story. But not just any story—a tale of courage, transformation, and the ripple effect of someone daring to dream bigger than their circumstances. This year, the MTC Impact Award honors not just an achiever but a beacon of hope: Mariame Cisse, founder and CEO of Thrive Hub.
Imagine this: a mother of five, five months pregnant with her sixth child, finding herself without a home. It’s the kind of moment that would make anyone stop, perhaps crumble. But not Mariame. Instead of surrendering to despair, she turned her darkest days into a catalyst for change.
This moment, raw and transformative, was the seed from which Thrive Hub was born.
Turning Trials into Triumph
Mariame didn’t stumble into coaching; she built her expertise on the foundation of her own lived experiences. As a young woman separated from her mother, she learned early on about resilience. Later, as a solo parent, she discovered the profound need for systems that nurtured not just survival but thriving—lessons that would become the backbone of her coaching methodology.
But Mariame’s journey wasn’t just about survival; it was about impact. She wanted to ensure that no other mother felt the loneliness and overwhelm she once faced. With a vision fueled by determination, she created Elevate to Excellence, a program designed to empower mothers to rediscover balance, confidence, and joy.
Why Her Story Matters
What sets Mariame apart isn’t just her ability to coach but the courage she’s shown to share her truth. Her story resonates because it’s real. It’s about a woman who dared to step into her calling, even when the odds were stacked against her.
Take, for example, the time she helped a friend on the brink of ending her marriage. With just a few well-timed, thoughtful questions, she created a breakthrough moment that saved not just a relationship but a family. These aren’t just coaching victories—they’re life-changing milestones.
The MTC Impact Award
The MTC Impact Award isn’t about numbers or accolades; it’s about celebrating the heartbeat of transformation. It’s for leaders like Mariame, who don’t just make an impact but leave a legacy.
Through Thrive Hub, Mariame has built more than a business—she’s built a movement. Her approach isn’t about quick fixes but lasting change. She’s proof that even in the face of uncertainty, strength and community can turn dreams into reality.
A Vision for Generations
Mariame’s dream goes beyond individual success. She envisions a world where mothers are supported, communities are connected, and families thrive. Her journey from homelessness to a thriving entrepreneur is a testament to her belief that no challenge is insurmountable when purpose and passion align.
Her words capture it best: “I’m creating a movement—one that will outlive me, one that empowers not just mothers but their families and communities to thrive together.”
Celebrating Mariame Cisse
As we honor Mariame with the MTC Impact Award, we celebrate the resilience of women everywhere. Her story is a reminder that our struggles don’t define us; how we rise from them does.
Mariame Cisse is more than a coach—she’s a storyteller, a change-maker, and a leader who turned her pain into purpose. Today, we don’t just applaud her achievements; we honor her journey and the countless lives she has transformed along the way.
Congratulations, Mariame. Your story inspires us to dream bigger, live bolder, and never underestimate the power of one woman’s vision.
So, what’s your next step toward thriving? Let Mariame’s story be the spark that ignites your journey.
Thank you, Sandra, for being part of this journey with me, holding my hand, and most of all, believing in what I have to offer. Great things happen when you have a coach who truly believes in your potential.
Receiving the MTC Impact Award under your leadership is truly exceptional and empowering, and I am incredibly grateful to you and your entire team for your constant effort and support throughout my journey and for making this process a reality.
Seeing you as an example of a young African woman was truly inspiring. I want to share that at beginning of my journey I felt lost in the coaching space, not seeing many people I could relate to. I often questioned whether it was the right path and whether I could truly achieve what I had in mind, as I didn’t see someone like me in the coaching space who was achieving the results or impact I truly desired.
But seeing you gives me clarity and certainty that the journey I started is possible; it just requires commitment, consistency, persistence, and perseverance.
I am grateful for your kindness, generosity, and dedication to helping others. It’s amazing how you extract people’s genius. The writing you did about the award helped me learn so much about myself, my journey, and what is possible.
It gave me clarity about the vision I set for myself. Reading it reminded me again of the vision I have, and I was in a constant state of hunger to make a difference in the lives of neurodivergent individuals. Thank you very much.
I’m happy to share the following with you, Sandra:
A week ago, I received a message from a lady who is a neurodivergent individual, and she was thinking of committing suicide. But this is what she had to say below:
🌈 A Lady: There are some situations in which you feel so lonely and alone, you feel like, “Oh yes, this is the end.” You feel like you’re at the edge, like this is the end, but somebody shows up, tends to your wounds, listens to you, and lessens your pain. Credit that person because she is an angel. Sister, the likes of you are rare.
You mean so much to me. If not for you, I don’t know what would have happened to me. It got to a stage where I thought of committing suicide. I felt like this was the end, but you spoke words that healed all the wounds as if you knew exactly what was going on or what I was going through in my life. Alhamdulillah.
🌈 My Reply: This truly touches my heart, and I’m at a loss for words.
🌈 A Lady: How would it be if there were more people like you in the world to comfort those going through pain in silence?
🌈 A Lady: It brings more than just a little peace; it indeed brings an eternal, an entity peace, love, and relief.
🌈 A Lady: If I could describe how happy, grateful, or peaceful I am, I would, but it is beyond what words can say.
🌈 My Reply: That means so much to me. Thank you very much. My heart is always set on bringing more than just comfort, I strive to instill a deep, lasting belief that everyone I speak to is seen, valued, and never alone!
Conclusion:
Receiving this message reignited my motivation, passion, and vision to step outside of my comfort zone and continue helping those who need me, just as this lady did when she benefited from a simple, gentle word. It reminded me of the power we each hold to uplift others.
I would be happy to share the screenshot of this message with you, Sandra, as people always say, “Seeing is believing.”
Let this serve as a reminder that a thoughtful, kind word can make a difference. I encourage each of us to commit to acting with kindness toward one another, even in the simplest ways. You never know whose life you might be changing.