When Colin Powell gave his unqualified support to Barack Obama, the media coverage of the pronouncement by this senior statesman understandably focused on its political ramifications. I wish to examine, what I consider are the deeper implications of this celebrated Republican, referring to Obama as a 'transformative figure', and, closer to home what this might mean, in the context of Bermuda.

Upon reviewing the literature, we find that a 'transformative figure' is one who has the power to transform or effect fundamental change in their own lives and to inspire that in others. The two books that Obama has authored offer some interesting evidence of his personal evolution.

It is well known that Barack was born to a father from a remote village in Kenya and mid-Western mother and so he was faced with the challenges of negotiating the complex terrain of cross-cultural tensions in small-town America. There are aspects of his biography that would resonate with any local resident. His story offers a powerful and compelling comment on the experience with dealing with these challenges.

Barack's father was only in his life in his first year and later for one month when he was aged ten. However, this fatherless son has since claimed his power by taking full responsibility in his two daughters' lives since their birth. We know people in our own families and neighbourhoods who demonstrate and model similar 'transformative roles'. I have a close friend who never knew his father, but has had a fantastic relationship with his three sons. Barack's journey towards his personal transformation had a steep incline during his late teens and early 20s as he simultaneously negotiated the double-barreled challenges of being 'fatherless' and constructing his own racial identity.

The temptation to find 'relief' in drugs and alcohol was a powerful attraction. There was a period of taking 'one step forward and two steps backward'. It was not until his junior year in college, in his exile from the West Coast while completing his undergraduate education at Columbia University, that he experienced the traction required to move forward purposefully.

At Columbia, Barack consciously changed his life through a regimen that involved daily exercise, focused study and journaling – mining his own life-story. Through limiting his social life, he discovered that he was able to access a source that facilitated his growth. It was at that time he found the power expressed in the final lines of the poem Ivictus: "I am the Master of my fate, I am the Captain of my Soul."

Those words were Mandela's mantra when he served his 27 years in prison. Nelson, another transformative figure, has been one of Barack's prime exemplars. One might add that Mandela's transformation from a somewhat impetuous young lion to a figure who personified reconciliation, occurred in the 'exile' of prison. That template of reflection, exercise and study allowed him to access a source that no jail could contain. Nelson reconciled with his apartheid oppressors; later Barack reconciled with the memory of his father; both found their power. This pattern of separation, reflection and transformation repeats itself again and again. While Barack's journey of transformation involved finding connections with his father another 'historic transformative figure', Martin Luther King had a journey that involved separation from his father.

When MLK graduated from Morehouse College at the age of 18 he decided to work towards a Ph.D. at Boston University, away from the strong personality of 'Daddy King'. 'Exiled' in Boston he gained a perspective that was much more global – discovering a spiritual connection to Ghandi. When MLK graduated, Daddy had insisted that he return home and take over his large church in the City of Atlanta, 'a safe seat'.

However, MLK seeking to be master his own fate, decided to take over a small church in the small town of Montgomery, Alabama – and the rest is history. The fruit of personal transformation is the emergence of clarity of purpose and refinement of purpose. When Barack graduated from the prestigious Columbia University near the top of his class, his friends expected him to seek out the lucrative jobs available in New York. However, by this time Barack had found his purpose. Instead of taking the 'safe path', like MLK before him, Obama followed a 'road less travelled'. He sought a job as a 'community organiser' and ended up on the rough side of Chicago, a transformative experience.

Dame Lois Browne Evans, is a local transformative figure who while seeking her purpose, effected change for new generations of women when she became the first female lawyer called to the Bermuda Bar in 1953. One can get some sense of the context of that breakthrough when we realise that at that time women had only gained the Right to Vote only six years prior in Bermuda; and the second and third female lawyers – Shirley Simmons and Ann Cartwright-Decouto – were not called until 1967 and 1970 respectively.

Lois, aware of how much of a backwater the Island was at the time, had returned to the Island but with the view to soon returning overseas to enjoy the fruits of her lucrative profession.

Circumstances, events and experiences combined to develop a transformative experience during this early period of her return and the Dame gained a strong sense of purpose. The relationship she developed with Wilfred (Mose) Allen, a community activist was pivotal. He had been a confidante of Dr. Gordon. Mose, who had great passion for reading and social justice connected with Lois, even though his somewhat thorny personality was a challenge to most. His example of selfless service to the community, provided a spark that led Lois to become a local model of a 'servant-leader'.

In that regard, Browne-Evans was much like MLK, both died with little in material wealth, but with an abundance of loving regard from their community. In each and every case, these transformative figures addressed 'race' in distinctive and transformative ways. Mandela was among a group who in the 1950s developed a Freedom Charter which changed the African National Congress into a widely inclusive party of all tribes and races. Lois took flak from her colleagues when she supported a white woman – Dorothy Thompson – to run in the PLP's first General Election. Martin was shunned by traditional civil rights leaders when he decided to build a coalition with the white-led Anti-War Movement in 1967.

Barack has inherited all that legacy with a passion for inclusion and principle; while he too was opposed by traditional black leaders. However, he has created a broad tent of support for his unprecedented campaign. (Both Obama and Martin opposed a war when it was unpopular.)

David Wingate is another local example of transformative leadership. He has consistently acted with a great sense of purpose and passion. His commitment to preserve our island's environment is the story of his life. Starting from his teens he has worked tirelessly over the decades to almost single-handedly save the Cahow. This labour of love and his many other projects has been celebrated internationally and even proved to be centrepiece of an ABC TV production a couple of years ago. That 20/20 feature took the premise that David's work has offered a template that has provided a practical example for conservation globally. However, of course like other transformative figures, David has never sought recognition for the sake of recognition. In fact although he retired formally from his post eight years ago, as Conservation Officer, Wingate continues his work in maintaining our nature reserves, without missing a beat.

This brings us to the role of titles and office for 'transformative figures. It is true that Obama is currently seeking the most powerful of offices on the planet. However, when he graduated from Harvard Law School – magna cum laude – Barack was offered 643 jobs. Included was a clerkship at the US Supreme Court and offers from top law firms and blue chip companies.

Obama turned down those very lucrative offers in deference to his purpose, he chose to advocate for those who suffered discrimination, back in Chicago. The financial rewards were far less. (This a stark contrast to prevailing norms that are characterised by the seductive patterns of being caught in the rat-race for climbing ladders and the 'grab for entitlements'.)

Obama's choice is echoed in the decision of MLK to bypass the big church in Atlanta, for the small one in Montgomery. When Mandela was released in 1990, he resisted the clamour for him to lead the ANC and he deferred to Oliver Tambo, who held the post until he died.

Browne-Evans opted out of her plans to return overseas to enjoy the fruits of her profession to serve the unrepresented in Bermuda; and in 1968 she deferred to Walter Robinson to take back over as Party Leader of the PLP. David does not care if he is the Conservation Officer or retired, he continues working passionately to preserve Bermuda's habitats. As we look at Obama in the context of these other personalities who are transformative figures, I think it is worth pausing. Here in the midst of the hype synonymous with election campaigns we might take time out to reflect on the bigger picture, the deeper meaning. Like many transformative figures, Barack has attracted huge crowds – even 200,000 in Berlin. Despite their significant achievements, transformative figures are human and subject to frailties of the human condition. None of us are perfect.

While the Election outcome is yet unknown and we can observe the complexity of the process and the many contradictory elements; there is no doubt that already, the 'seeds of change are sprouting'.

In accepting the Democratic Party's nomination, Obama concluded his speech by making a major point; " … It is not about Me, it is about You" – a reminder that life is not a spectator sport. While there are lives like those of Obama, Mandela, MLK, Lois, David, family or friends that will inspire us; we all have our part to play.

With that inspiration, regardless of the election outcome, we can all be energised to allow those seeds to grow and connect with the transformative possibilities and promise that we each carry.

We can recognise the role we have in nurturing future generations and we can be reminded that each and every one of us is a 'master of our fate and captain of our souls'.