
Finding an Excuse to Win: Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner Journey of Resilience and Leadership
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…

From South Memphis to Success: Meka Egwuekwe Story
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.
https://youtu.be/jn_3TydoVdw
From teaching…

From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Mellissa McTizic Story of Unshakable Resilience
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…

Why I’m a Proud Member of the We Do Not Care Club and What S.O. What! Really Means
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…

From Doubt to Destiny: Sam O’Bryant Resilient Path to Youth Empowerment
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…

Back to School, Back to Reality: Why Our Students Need This Literacy and Life Skills Curriculum Now More Than Ever
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…

Overcoming Exclusion: The Resilient Story of Nubian Simmons and The Pink Bakery
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…

From Adversity to Advocacy: LaDell Beamon Resilient Mission for South Memphis
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…

From Pain to Power: 15 Years After My Memoir, Here’s What Confidence and Resilience Created
The number 15 has defined two of the biggest turning points in my life.
I was 15 when I became a mother—unprepared, afraid, but determined.And my son was 15 when I published my memoir—an unfiltered story of my…