Her Story is Her Song

Tiwangi Rochelle grew up in a home marked by cycles of abuse and hardship. Her mother, a woman of strength navigating her own battles, raised Tiwangi and her siblings as best she could amidst difficult circumstances. Though Tiwangi and her mother shared a bond, the trauma surrounding their home created tension and pain that led Tiwangi to leave at an early age. She left behind two younger brothers and an older sister who had already stepped out to build a new life.

Alone and searching for belonging, Tiwangi found herself surrounded by older women who introduced her to street life. By 17, the streets became her family. At 18, she moved into her own apartment and soon began a fast-paced, volatile relationship with a man recently released from prison.

The allure of money, power, and status quickly pulled her into a dangerous world. Within a year, she gave birth to her first child and became immersed in the lifestyle that came with it — luxury cars, designer clothes, and a facade of success, all while enduring abuse that mirrored the trauma of her past.

As the years passed, Tiwangi opened two clothing boutiques and welcomed another daughter. Yet beneath the surface, she was battling to escape the very life that had trapped her. In an attempt to gain independence, she became entangled in drug trafficking and eventually faced serious legal consequences. Offered a 30-year sentence, the judge showed mercy, sentencing her to 5 years — 1,900 days behind bars.