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…
Tiffany Bellafant Steward
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An Unexpected Journey in Higher Education, Tiffany Bellafant Steward 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…
LáDeia McNeal
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Turning a Positive HIV Diagnosis into a Positive Force for Change: LáDeia McNeal S.O. What! Success Story

When was the last time you had a challenging situation but you were able to look at the bright side or make something good out of it? Well, that’s usually easier said than done, but my friend, LáDeia McNeal does it beautifully.  After…
Almetria Turner
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When Transforming Your Body Transforms Your Life, Almetria Turner 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…
Bilicia Hill
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My friend, Bilicia Hill, a S.O. What! Success Story

When I moved to Memphis for college in 1997, I came with two of my best friends and Bilicia Hill was one of them. Friends since 8th grade, we had a lot in common. But what I loved the most about Bilicia Hill was how positive she was during…
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Graduating Against the Odds: How I Made it to My 20 Year College Graduation Anniversary

It's graduation season, and many students are graduating against the odds. Financial challenges, lack of support, illnesses, competing priorities, too many responsibilities and so many other obstacles keep many people from completing college. But…
Andrew Bailey
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Meet Andrew Bailey, an inspiring S.O. What! Success Story

Andrew Bailey was one of the most incredible people I met during my time as a student at the University of Memphis. We were both teen parents and student leaders with tremendous challenges. And less than ideal backgrounds that most people…
Toni Boland-Evans
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Toni Boland-Evans: From Difficult Chapter into Success Story!

Toni Boland-Evans is a proud Memphian and University of Memphis alumni. She is a very passionate and determined woman. Toni has worked for NIKE as part of the Social and Community Impact Team for over 25 years. She was named Memphis Business…
Dr. Christina T. Rosenthal
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Dr. Christina T. Rosenthal: The Ideal Dentist

Dr. Christina Rosenthal, the Ideal Dentist, is also the owner and CEO of Paradigm Dental Center in Memphis. One of those wonderful women I have met, a multi-tasker, loving wife, supportive mother, a determined entrepreneur, and an inspiring…