It’s my #44on22 birthday! My 15th birthday changed my life forever. What happened on that day led me to becoming a mother, pregnant by someone I didn’t know. Too many youth have been in similar situations or live in constant trauma. But it also gave me my son, my drive and my purpose! Through the The […]
When I joined the National Speakers Association, one of the first people to welcome me was the super intelligent, super cute, super friendly, and super amazing keynote speaker, Crystal Washington. She was well-known and highly respected in the association, and I soon learned why. This dynamic speaker, author, and entrepreneur has a talent for making […]
One night about six years ago, I had a dream about an awards and scholarship program. I’ve been a part of several awards programs either as a recipient or helping to plan the event, and I knew I wanted this one to be special. On April 29, 2023 my dream was realized. With the help […]
Do you allow yourself to be vulnerable and transparent? I do. I’ve now spoken to hundreds of audiences. Several thousand individuals. But last week I had my biggest audience to date. About 2000 students, and if you ever speak to youth you know it’s a little different. I was a little nervous until […]
Do you remember the last time you started a new job? After I earned my MBA, I accepted a job as a marketing manager with ServiceMaster. I was so nervous and unsure of myself and, honestly, questioning if I made the right decision to leave the Memphis Grizzlies. Unknown to me before I accepted the […]
Have you ever needed to pinch yourself because thought you might be dreaming? Be sure you read to the bottom to see the biggest reason I just did. We’re halfway through International Women’s History Month, and I have to say, “Man, I feel like a woman!”. I was able to kick off this month as […]
How often do you meet people who impress you? Not just with their accomplishments but equally with their humility and kindness. A few years ago I met the Mayor (Julian McTizic) of my original hometown, Bolivar, TN, at a restaurant. Soon after that, I had an official meeting with him in his office. With the excitement […]
Imagine the impact on the world if more people worked to leave a legacy. When I started my career and became the first marketing manager for the NBA Memphis Grizzlies, I had no idea I was making history. However, when I initiated the effort that resulted in creaing a $110,000 endowed scholarship at my alma […]
One thing I always tell my students is to talk to people. And something that almost always happens is you’ll find a lot that you have in common. Melissa Graham and I started talking because both of us have a passion for student success. But not only did we learn she had an emotional story of being […]
