, , ,

Living to 100: My Grandmother’s Roaring 20’s Birthday Party

Living to 100 is an incredible feat especially if you make it there healthy, happy, and in your right mind. On March 10, 2022 Agnes Idella "Dorothy" Jones Owens celebrated her 100th birthday. I was honored to be with her at midnight, and…
Dr. Shirley Raines
, , , , ,

An Uncommon Journey: Dr. Shirley Raines S.O. What! Success Story

When I entered college in 1997, I quickly got involved in various organizations including the Student Ambassador Board. This is where I interacted with the university president, Dr. Shirley Raines. Surprisingly, I didn’t pay much attention…
Deborah Clubb
, , , , ,

Sharing the Storyteller’s Story: Deborah Clubb S.O. What! Success Story

When I published my memoir in 2010, I had no idea the opportunities (and challenges) it would bring to my life. One of the first was when I received the Women of Achievement Heroism Award. That’s when I met one of the founders of Women of…
Joyce Kyles
, , , , , ,

Joyce Kyles’ – A DV Survivor’s S.O. What! Success Story

It’s amazing the people you meet along your journey. For me it’s been especially interesting meeting people who use their life’s challenges, like I do, to help others. Joyce Kyles became my instant friend the day we met. She has an incredible…
Phillip Ashley Rix
, , , , , ,

The Real Life Willy Wonka – Phillip Ashley Rix S.O. What! Success Story

When I began my journey as an entrepreneur, I met this big, “chocolate” guy (Phillip Ashley Rix) covered in tattoos.  Someone told me he was the chocolate man, and I soon learned that he was much more. Going from an ordinary college…
Dr. Beverly Bond
, , , , , ,

Dr. Beverly Bond S.O. What! Success Story

No, I did not get excited when I signed up for an 8 am history class every Tuesday and Thursday morning.  I was not a morning person nor a history-lover. Although Dr. Beverly Bond did not make it easy for me to get up early, she did make…
Coach Shirley McCray
, , , , , , ,

Coach Shirley McCray S.O. What! Success Story

The older I get the more I appreciate and want to know more about the history and the people who make an impact on it.  One of those people is Coach Shirley McCray - the first female coach of a men’s football team. A fellow University…
Marcus Heaston
, , , ,

Marcus Heaston S.O. What! Success Story

It’s funny when you meet someone who has “known” you for 20 years. Because I’m on a mission to impact as many youth and young adults as possible with the S.O. What! Literacy, Life Skills, and Character Education Curriculum, I am always…
Sha’Quille Fuller
, , , ,

Photographer, Father, Future PhD: Sha’Quille Fuller S.O. What! Success Story

Just when I thought I wore a lot of hats. I met someone (Sha’Quille Fuller) who wears a few more and maybe bigger hats. Yet he still made time to volunteer one of his many talents to the fundraiser I created for the S.O. What! Foundation.…