Netisha Burnett
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Netisha Burnett’s S.O. What! Success Story

When I randomly met Netisha Burnett at a mutual friend’s house, I never would have imagined a few years later that she would play such a major role in my life. After bringing me in to speak when she worked for Girls, Inc., she became my…
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Ciara Arrington’s S.O. What! Success Story

As an undergraduate soror of mine, Ciara Arrington approached me when I was speaking on campus about my new book. After the program, she asked me about marketing jobs and if I had any advice. I told her to get experience, and I offered to let…
Judge Robert "Butch" Childers
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Judge Robert “Butch” Childers S.O. What! Success Stories

If never judge a book by its cover was a person, it would be Judge Robert "Butch" Childers. I met Butch when I joined the University of Memphis National Alumni Association Board of Directors five years ago. He became the board president the…
Frank Scott
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Mayor Frank Scott’s S.O. What! Success Story

Have you ever met someone and immediately thought, “He (or she) is going to do something pretty amazing one day.”? Well, as a college student, I met Frank Scott who was also a college student. But his poise and professionalism were different…
Jennifer Littlejohn
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Jennifer Littlejohn’s S.O. What! Success Story

When you are a young college student active in campus organizations but with the enormous responsibility of being a mother, you typically don’t have many people who understand your challenges or share your journey.  Although our situations…
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Big things come in small packages: Vanessa Peterson’s S.O. What! Success Story

It seems like it was yesterday when Vanessa (Gray at the time) walked onto the University of Memphis campus with the new class of Emerging Leaders. I was a sophomore, but this girl of small stature had a huge presence. 20 plus years and that…
Alton Cryer
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Why You Should Never Give Up on Our Young Men, Alton Cryer’s S.O. What! Success Story

When I started my speaking journey, I was invited to share my “Against All Odds” story for the Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis. One of the students in the audience was Alton Cryer whom I had met once…
Tiffany Bellafant Steward
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An Unexpected Journey in Higher Education, Tiffany Bellafant Steward’s S.O. What! Success Story

Last week I shared how as a high school junior, a few of my friends and I skipped school and hung out with AKA’s on the campus of the University of Memphis. One of those women was Tiffany Bellafant Steward who experienced what I felt was…
Almetria Turner
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When Transforming Your Body Transforms Your Life, Almetria Turner’s S.O. What! Success Story

Can you imagine someone weighing nearly 300 pounds becoming one of your health and fitness role models? As a high school junior, a few of my friends and I skipped a couple of days of school (Shush, don’t tell anyone). We spent those days…