By Joshua Smith
In an era where "freedom" is a word we often use but rarely have to fight for, the story of Pepper Pim and her family serves as a powerful reminder of what it means to actually lose your voice—and the sheer grit it takes to find it again.
With the release of her new biographical series, starting with Money Talks! And Everything Else Walks! – Part 1, Pepper offers more than just a typical memoir. She gives us a front-row seat to a life that feels like it belongs on a movie screen, spanning from the iron-fisted Salazar dictatorship in Portugal to the fast-paced, high-stakes streets of the United States. It’s a story that captures the true heart of the immigrant spirit: the bravery to walk away from everything you know for the simple, radical hope of a better life.
The journey starts in a Portugal defined by silence. Under António de Oliveira Salazar, "Freedom of Speech" was a luxury nobody could afford. For Pepper’s father, Ernesto—a political writer and a man who refused to be quieted—the stakes were incredibly high. He wasn't just watching history happen; he was writing it, often at great personal risk, pushing for the basic rights we often take for granted today: food, education, and the right to speak the truth.
Pepper’s writing brings the Carnation Revolution to life with vivid, raw detail. She describes the tension of her university being shut down by political chaos and that bittersweet moment on July 30, 1974, when she boarded a silver jet. As she watched her home disappear beneath the clouds, she was heading toward a "vast unknown" in America with nothing but a suitcase and a dream.
While the first part of the series focuses on the family’s roots and the spark of revolution, it sets the stage for a classic American saga. When the family landed in the U.S., there were no shortcuts. They had to rebuild their lives from zero.
This is where Pepper’s story feels most human. It’s not a dry history lesson; it’s about a daughter watching her parents navigate a new language and a new world. It’s the realization that while "money talks" in business, it’s values like love, respect, and faith that actually keep your soul intact while you’re climbing the ladder.
As Pepper writes in her author’s note: "Many mistakes are made thinking only of money, but life is made of love, respect for others, and faith in oneself." This balance between big-city ambition and spiritual grounding is what makes her story so relatable.
Pepper has mapped out this journey across three distinct parts, each diving deep into a different era of her life:
· Part I: Focuses on the family’s heritage, the oppressive regime in Portugal, and the terrifying leap of faith across the ocean.
· Part II: Dives into the reality of surviving in the U.S.—the struggle to adapt, the early morning hustles, and the relentless drive to keep moving forward.
· Part III: Explores the "extraordinary life" they eventually built, showing how they moved "little by little" to achieve the American Dream.
In today’s world, Pepper’s narrative is a breath of fresh air. It’s a return to core values. Her writing is filled with a genuine sense of optimism—the belief that with enough hard work and courage, anyone can turn a "common life" into an "extraordinary story."
Her message is simple: stay focused, stay true to your values, and never let your dreams die—even if they have to change shape to survive. For anyone trying to build something of their own, Pepper Pim’s life is proof that while we are shaped by the times we live in, we are defined by the grace and persistence we use to build our future.
Evrima Chicago is proud to share this journey. We invite you to look past the history books and see the real human face of freedom.
