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 […]
You never know where your dreams can take you. In 2011, I started my speaking business, S.O. What! LLC, and the next year I founded the S.O What! Foundation. I had no idea how hard it would be to lead and grow both organizations simultaneously. For over a decade I’ve kept both going and growing […]
Yesterday as I drove back to my house, I asked my granddaughter what was she was thankful for. She said the expected, “my family, my friends, my home…”. I encouraged to be more specific and gave her the example, “I’m thankful for my car that has heat and provides me with a way to pick […]
Do you attend your college or high school homecoming events and games? As a student at the University of Memphis, I enjoyed the basketball games but have never been a big football fan. So the first Homecoming I attended was when I was a finalist for Ms. University of Memphis in 2001. That was an […]
One of the hardest things, in my opinion, to do is to be a parent. Then add being a teen parent. How about a single parent? How about to four…boys? Whew. When I became a mentor at the Adolescent Parenting Program, I met Gloria Saulsberry, and that had been her life. She was married by […]
Something made me sad then made me so happy at the airport recently. When I arrived at the airport at 5:30am, I wasn’t surprised there was a long line for security. However I was surprised it was allll the way to the entrance of the airport. Thankfully, I have TSA Pre-check and had already checked in […]
When the artist becomes a businessman a beautiful creation and asset to a city is born. Ekundayo Bandele has always known he was an artist, a creator. Since I’ve lived in Memphis, I have heard his name and admired his work. Ekundayo Bandele has had his share of challenges and tough choices on his journey […]
