Sixty-six years ago, eight courageous students walked onto the campus of Memphis State University for the first time, integrating the school and making history. On that September day in 1959, the Memphis State Eight faced hostility and isolation so that students like me could one day thrive. Because of their bravery, my own journey was […]
Life will always test us. Some challenges break us, while others push us to rise higher than we ever imagined. Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner story is proof that no matter how heavy the obstacles, we can still choose resilience, faith, and purpose. Growing up without his father and later losing his mother, Chief Deputy Anthony […]
Growing up in South Memphis without his father, Meka Egwuekwe could have let his circumstances hold him back. Instead, he leaned on education, community, and faith to write a different story. From teaching himself programming as a kid to earning degrees from Morehouse and Duke, Meka proved that where you start doesn’t determine where you […]
When I think about resilience, Mellissa McTizic is one of the first names that comes to mind. Mellissa is a professional school counselor, fitness advocate, and line dance leader in our shared hometown of Bolivar, Tennessee. I’ve watched her transformation over the years, and it’s been nothing short of inspiring. Mellissa’s journey through weight loss, […]
If you haven’t heard of it yet, the We Do Not Care Club is a powerful movement created for women navigating perimenopause and menopause who are choosing to release the pressure to please, perform, and pretend. At 46 with menopause in full effect and a breast cancer diagnosis I didn’t see coming, I am a […]
Sam O’Bryant story is a powerful reminder that success rarely follows a straight line—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful. As the first Black CEO of not just one but two major organizations—Literacy Mid-South and now BRIDGES USA—Sam’s leadership journey is grounded in resilience, purpose, and a relentless pursuit of impact. From growing up in […]
As the school bells ring and students walk through the doors of schools across the country, backpacks are full of new notebooks, sharpened pencils, and hopeful expectations. But too many of those same students are carrying something heavier—trauma, uncertainty, fear, and deep emotional wounds no school supply can fix. I’ve spent over a decade in […]
Growing up with severe food allergies, Nubian Simmons often felt excluded from life’s special moments. Instead of letting those experiences define her, she chose to Overcome Obstacles, Eliminate Excuses, and Calculate Choices to create something meaningful—a bakery that welcomes everyone. Her journey led her to found The Pink Bakery, Inc., a company dedicated to producing […]
I had an inspiring conversation that truly embodies the S.O. What! Success System, and I’m excited to share it with you! In this episode of S.O. What! Success Stories, I reconnected with my friend LaDell Beamon, the founder of Heal the Hood Foundation. LaDell Beamon has faced tremendous challenges—from growing up in South Memphis surrounded […]
