A Night of Resilience, Reflection, and Scholarship Awards for Resilient Students: My Heartfelt Reflections

I’m still feeling the impact of the 3rd Annual S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree, and I can honestly say it was one of the most powerful nights of my life. Standing on that stage, looking out at a room filled with people who believe in the power of resilience, transformation, and hope—it reminded me why I started the S.O. What! Foundation in the first place.

That night was about more than awards and formal gowns. It was about stories. Stories of overcoming. Stories of rising above circumstances that could have destroyed us. Stories that prove that even in our darkest moments, there is light.

Honoring Leaders Who Transform Pain Into Purpose

I was deeply moved to stand beside ten incredible honorees whose stories of resilience and leadership left us all breathless. These are people who didn’t just survive life’s storms—they became stronger because of them.

• Tami Sawyer – A fierce advocate for justice who led the fight to remove Confederate statues in Memphis. 

• Dr. Karren Todd – A woman who turned profound grief into a mission to empower others through her ministry. 

• Bilicia Hill – An organ donation advocate whose life is a powerful testimony of survival and second chances. 

• Apostle Stacy L. Spencer – A visionary pastor who has dedicated his life to building and restoring communities. 

• David Jordan – The CEO of Agape Child & Family Services, investing in children and families with compassion and love. 

• Deborah Clubb – A journalist and advocate for women’s rights who has spent decades amplifying the voices of those often overlooked. 

• Alexia Young – An educator and mentor who uses her story of overcoming a birth effect to empower young women.

• Marty Kelman – A wealth management executive who honors his parents’ survival through his commitment to service.   

• Vince McCaskill – A nonprofit leader who has raised millions to ensure that Memphis students have opportunities to succeed. 

• Charles Ewing – An entrepreneur who started with a pickup truck and a dream and built a nationally recognized business. 

Each honoree’s story reminded me that our past doesn’t define us. It prepares us. It pushes us to grow, to give, and to make a difference.

Scholarship Awards for Resilient Students

While the honorees’ stories were unforgettable, the most emotional moments of the night belonged to the scholarship recipients. Watching those young people stand on that stage, knowing the battles they’ve faced and the dreams they’re pursuing, brought tears to my eyes.

Each scholarship carries a piece of my heart. They honor the people who shaped me, loved me, and taught me what it means to persevere:

• The Agnes Owens & Ocie Williams Memorial Scholarship was awarded to a young woman whose resilience mirrors the strength of my grandmothers. They endured profound hardship but never stopped loving, giving, and believing in a better future. This scholarship was given by my mother and my aunt (my dad’s sister) who lost their mothers five days apart.

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• The Ellen “Pedie” Granberry Memorial Scholarship was created to honor my dear friend, who was taken from us by gun violence. Seeing this scholarship go to a future cosmetologist determined to create a new path brought me to tears.

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• The Curtis Owens Memorial Scholarship is a tribute to my cousin, a young man whose life was cut short. The scholarship was awarded to a student pursuing vocational training, a dream Curtis never got to complete. This scholarship was presented by Curtis’s grandmother and aunt (my aunt and cousin). And yes, my aunt doesn’t have on shoes. Her feet were hurting, so we said, “SO What!”

• The Ambassador Ricky Floyd Memorial Scholarship was awarded to a young man who refuses to let his circumstances define him. This scholarship was created to honor a powerful community leader and friend who was also taken by violence. It was special to have his wife and son present this scholarship to a student who was a participant in my dear friend Ricky’s Husband Institute program.

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Seeing these young people accept their scholarships, knowing that their stories are still being written, reminded me why the work we do at the S.O. What! Foundation matters. This is why we push through the hard days. This is why we fight for funding, for visibility, for these kids to have a chance to say, “S.O. What!” to their circumstances and pursue their dreams.

A Full-Circle Moment of Legacy and Purpose

One of the most powerful moments of the night was standing beside Bertha Rogers Looney, the last living member of the Memphis State Eight. Bertha’s story of courage, resilience, and faith has been a source of strength for me throughout my life. Seeing her on that stage, still fighting for justice, still using her voice to inspire, was a profound reminder that the work we’re doing is not just about today—it’s about tomorrow. It’s about the next generation and the ones to come. Having her as my close friend, it was an even more special honor to salute her in this way.

Creating a Ripple Effect of Hope and Transformation

As the night came to a close, I couldn’t help but think about how many people showed up to support our mission. Each person who sponsored the event, bought a table or ticket, donated to a scholarship, shared a story, or simply sat in the audience—was a part of something bigger. They helped us create a ripple effect of hope, courage, and transformation that will carry forward far beyond one night.

Although my family was there to present two of the memorial scholarships, it was very special to have so much of my family there with me, including my grandmother who I try to expose to all the work I do to show her what’s possible for her.

Thank you to everyone who stood beside me, who believed in this mission, and who showed up for these students, these honorees, and these scholarships. The support is changing lives, and it’s creating a legacy of resilience and empowerment that will live on long after we’re gone.

This isn’t just a celebration—it’s a movement. And we’re just getting started.