My Name Is Tani

Tanitoluwa Adewumi, known as Tani, is one of the greatest young chess players in the country, and his story is nothing short of miraculous. Born in Nigeria, Tani and his family fled religious persecution, arriving in the U.S. as refugees. While living in a homeless shelter, Tani defied all odds to win the New York State K-3 Chess Championship. This book, written by Tani and his parents, captures the family’s journey of resilience, hope, and faith. From finding shelter in America to winning his first chess trophy, Tani’s story is one of Heroic determination and belief in miracles. I couldn’t put the book down, and it’s packed with Big Ideas about overcoming adversity, staying committed to your dreams, and how the impossible can become reality with the right mindset. I’m excited to share some of my favorite Big Ideas from the book—let’s jump straight in!