Stephanie Jackson
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Stephanie Jackson S.O. What! Success Story

It’s amazing when you look back over your life and think about the people you’ve met on your journey. And how they inspire you today. A freshman like me, Stephanie Jackson became my line sister and soror in 1998. She became a young mom…
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…
Ciara Arrington
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Ciara Arrington 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.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…
Olliette Murry-Drobot
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From Abuse to Advocate. Olliette Murry-Drobot S.O. What! Success Story

Have you ever met someone and immediately felt like you’ve known them for years? When I started on this journey of sharing my story over a decade ago, a friend suggested that I meet Olliette Murry-Drobot. We met for lunch, and we both probably…
Jennifer Littlejohn
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Jennifer Littlejohn S.O. What! Success Story

When you are a young college student active in campus organizations. And you have also the enormous responsibility of being a mother.  You don' have typically many people who understand your challenges or share your journey.  Although…
Vanessa Peterson
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Big things come in small packages: Vanessa Peterson S.O. What! Success Story

It seems like it was yesterday when Vanessa Peterson (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…
Alton Cryer
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Why You Should Never Give Up on Our Young Men, Alton Cryer S.O. What! Success Story

When I started my speaking journey, I was invited to share my “Against All Odds” story. That was 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…