News Archives - Summer Owens S.O. What! https://summerowens.com/category/news/ S.O. What! Mon, 11 Aug 2025 04:12:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 https://i0.wp.com/summerowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/cropped-Summer-Owens-S.O.-What.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 News Archives - Summer Owens S.O. What! https://summerowens.com/category/news/ 32 32 152051023 From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Mellissa McTizic Story of Unshakable Resilience https://summerowens.com/from-breakdown-to-breakthrough-mellissa-mctizic-story-of-unshakable-resilience/ https://summerowens.com/from-breakdown-to-breakthrough-mellissa-mctizic-story-of-unshakable-resilience/#respond Mon, 11 Aug 2025 04:10:56 +0000 https://summerowens.com/?p=24288 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 transformation over the years, and it’s been nothing short of inspiring. Mellissa’s journey through weight loss, […]

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]]> https://summerowens.com/from-breakdown-to-breakthrough-mellissa-mctizic-story-of-unshakable-resilience/feed/ 0 24288 From Doubt to Destiny: Sam O’Bryant Resilient Path to Youth Empowerment https://summerowens.com/from-doubt-to-destiny-sam-obryant-resilient-path-to-youth-empowerment/ https://summerowens.com/from-doubt-to-destiny-sam-obryant-resilient-path-to-youth-empowerment/#respond Sun, 03 Aug 2025 06:00:38 +0000 https://summerowens.com/?p=24270 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 leadership journey is grounded in resilience, purpose, and a relentless pursuit of impact. From growing up in […]

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]]> https://summerowens.com/from-doubt-to-destiny-sam-obryant-resilient-path-to-youth-empowerment/feed/ 0 24270 Overcoming Exclusion: The Resilient Story of Nubian Simmons and The Pink Bakery https://summerowens.com/overcoming-exclusion-the-resilient-story-of-nubian-simmons-and-the-pink-bakery/ https://summerowens.com/overcoming-exclusion-the-resilient-story-of-nubian-simmons-and-the-pink-bakery/#respond Sun, 13 Jul 2025 06:30:03 +0000 https://summerowens.com/?p=24242 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 meaningful—a bakery that welcomes everyone. Her journey led her to found The Pink Bakery, Inc., a company dedicated to producing […]

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]]> https://summerowens.com/overcoming-exclusion-the-resilient-story-of-nubian-simmons-and-the-pink-bakery/feed/ 0 24242 From Adversity to Advocacy: LaDell Beamon Resilient Mission for South Memphis https://summerowens.com/from-adversity-to-advocacy-ladell-beamon-resilient-mission-for-south-memphis/ https://summerowens.com/from-adversity-to-advocacy-ladell-beamon-resilient-mission-for-south-memphis/#respond Sun, 06 Jul 2025 06:00:56 +0000 https://summerowens.com/?p=24233 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 Hood Foundation. LaDell Beamon has faced tremendous challenges—from growing up in South Memphis surrounded […]

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]]> https://summerowens.com/from-adversity-to-advocacy-ladell-beamon-resilient-mission-for-south-memphis/feed/ 0 24233 From Grief to Growth: James Layman Resilience Story https://summerowens.com/from-grief-to-growth-james-layman-resilience-story/ https://summerowens.com/from-grief-to-growth-james-layman-resilience-story/#respond Tue, 20 May 2025 02:19:18 +0000 https://summerowens.com/?p=24202 James Layman story is a perfect example of the S.O. What! Success System in action. His journey demonstrates how to Overcome Obstacles, Eliminate Excuses, and Calculate Choices to create a life filled with purpose, joy, and impact. In this episode of S.O. What! Success Stories, I had the privilege of speaking with James, the director […]

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]]> https://summerowens.com/from-grief-to-growth-james-layman-resilience-story/feed/ 0 24202 A Night of Resilience, Reflection, and Scholarship Awards for Resilient Students: My Heartfelt Reflections https://summerowens.com/a-night-of-resilience-reflection-and-scholarship-awards-for-resilient-students-my-heartfelt-reflections/ https://summerowens.com/a-night-of-resilience-reflection-and-scholarship-awards-for-resilient-students-my-heartfelt-reflections/#respond Wed, 07 May 2025 21:00:41 +0000 https://summerowens.com/?p=24169 I’m still feeling the impact of the 3rd Annual S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree, and I can honestly say it was one of the most powerful nights of my life. Standing on that stage, looking out at a room filled with people who believe in the power of resilience, transformation, and hope—it reminded me […]

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]]> https://summerowens.com/a-night-of-resilience-reflection-and-scholarship-awards-for-resilient-students-my-heartfelt-reflections/feed/ 0 24169 From Uncertainty to Impact: Dorian Spears’ Blueprint for Resilience https://summerowens.com/from-uncertainty-to-impact-dorian-spears-blueprint-for-resilience/ https://summerowens.com/from-uncertainty-to-impact-dorian-spears-blueprint-for-resilience/#respond Tue, 06 May 2025 06:27:29 +0000 https://summerowens.com/?p=24160 I had one of those conversations that perfectly embodies the S.O. What! Success System: Overcome Obstacles, Eliminate Excuses, and Calculate Choices, and I knew I had to share it with you. In this episode of S.O. What! Success Stories, I reconnected with Dorian Spears — a brilliant consultant and strategist with Demille Global Strategy and […]

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]]> https://summerowens.com/from-uncertainty-to-impact-dorian-spears-blueprint-for-resilience/feed/ 0 24160 From Loss to Leading with Purpose: Gale Jones Carson Resilience in Reinventing Her Career https://summerowens.com/from-loss-to-leading-with-purpose-gale-jones-carson-resilience-in-reinventing-her-career/ https://summerowens.com/from-loss-to-leading-with-purpose-gale-jones-carson-resilience-in-reinventing-her-career/#respond Mon, 03 Mar 2025 08:56:27 +0000 https://summerowens.com/?p=24077 Gale Jones Carson story is a powerful example of the S.O. What! Success System in action. She has faced unimaginable loss, career shifts, and moments that could have broken her—but instead, she chose to Overcome Obstacles, Eliminate Excuses, and Calculate Choices to build a life of strength, leadership, and impact. Growing up in a family […]

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]]> https://summerowens.com/from-loss-to-leading-with-purpose-gale-jones-carson-resilience-in-reinventing-her-career/feed/ 0 24077 Do you allow yourself to be vulnerable and transparent? https://summerowens.com/allow-yourself-to-be-vulnerable https://summerowens.com/allow-yourself-to-be-vulnerable#respond Mon, 27 Mar 2023 21:27:59 +0000 https://summerowens.com/?p=23259 Do you allow yourself to be vulnerable and transparent?     I do. I’ve now spoken to hundreds of audiences. Several thousand individuals. But last week I had my biggest audience to date. About 2000 students, and if you ever speak to youth you know it’s a little different. I was a little nervous until […]

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