Odell Bizzell
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Odell Bizzell S.O. What! Success Story

Doesn’t it feel good when you meet someone doing the same thing as you and they immediately cheer you on and offer real help? I met Odell Bizzell as part of the National Speakers Association a few years ago but really got to know him when…
Montorius Herron
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From Imprisoned to Inspiring: Montorius “GG” Herron S.O. What! Success Story

Recently, I saw a short documentary about someone I knew in high school. I remembered Montorius Herron, known as GG to me, very well. He was a few years older than I am and part of the “cool” clique.  I didn’t know what he did after…
Andy Dallin
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Andy Dallin S.O. What! Success Story

You know the saying about how a person may forget what you did, but they won’t forget how you made them feel? Well, I have not seen or heard from or even about Andy Dallin. Ever since the first few months of the Memphis Grizzlies’ move to…
Summer Owens and Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis
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3 Lessons Learned from 36 Years of Powerful Women of Achievement Stories

Exactly 10 years ago, I became a part of the Women of Achievement sisterhood. It was and has been one of the greatest honors of my life as I sat with women I admired including my African American history professor from a decade earlier, Dr.…
Wanda Taylor
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From Just Surviving to Helping Others Survive: Wanda Taylor S.O. What! Success Story

Starting a business is not easy. I learned this when I started both an LLC and a 501(c)(3) organization. But in the learning process, I’ve met some incredible people. At a workshop on bookkeeping for nonprofits, I was amazed by the lady who…
Leshundra Robinson
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Leshundra Robinson S.O. What! Success Story

Many nonprofit organizations are born out of need and many are created from painful personal experiences. When I met Leshundra Robinson she asked me to speak at an anti-bullying conference she organized for the nonprofit she co-founded, UCAN…
Havilah Malone
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Havilah Malone S.O. What! Success Story

When I made the decision to become a professional speaker, I was excited that I qualified to become a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA). One of the most amazing connections I made through NSA was with this woman with a speaking…
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Living to 100: My Grandmother’s Roaring 20’s Birthday Party

Living to 100 is an incredible feat especially if you make it there healthy, happy, and in your right mind. On March 10, 2022 Agnes Idella "Dorothy" Jones Owens celebrated her 100th birthday. I was honored to be with her at midnight, and…
Dr. Shirley Raines
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An Uncommon Journey: Dr. Shirley Raines S.O. What! Success Story

When I entered college in 1997, I quickly got involved in various organizations including the Student Ambassador Board. This is where I interacted with the university president, Dr. Shirley Raines. Surprisingly, I didn’t pay much attention…