A successful Black woman in media, Bee Quammie often finds herself being cast as a role model for young women —and especially Black women and other women of colour. But Bee has never quite been comfortable with the idea of being a role model for the next generation. Who is she to suggest anyone live the way she has? Follow a certain path? Who says the path she followed is the "right" one — that there even is a "right" one?

When Bee became a mother, the weight of responsibility became even heavier, and she spent hours agonizing over how she could be the guide her girls needed without getting in their way or imposing her agenda. That's when Bee decided she needed a new model for understanding the role she should play for her children — and anyone else who might be looking to her for inspiration.

Instead of a role model, Bee prefers to think of herself as a possibility model — one example among many of how to live one's life. But even more important, Bee wants to show her daughters and other women how ripe with possibility their lives really are, how many opportunities and avenues there are to explore. There is so much richness to be found in life, even if you end up somewhere that feels unconventional or unplanned.

In The Book of Possibilities, Bee shows us how small acts of bravery and paying careful attention to our inner voice can open up a world of opportunity and lead to a fulfilling life.

(From Penguin Canada)

The Book of Possibilities is available in April 2025.

Bee Quammie is a writer and broadcaster based in Toronto. She co-hosted the Kultur'D podcast on Global News Radio and is a regular guest on The Social. Her work has been featured in publications including EBONY, The Globe and Mail, Maclean's and Chatelaine, among others. She covers a wide range of topics, including race and culture, parenthood, and health and wellness.