Erica Nathan
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Erica Nathan: S.O. What! Success Story

You know that friend with so many gifts and talents that you’re amazed by all they are able to do?  Fittingly, I met Erica Nathan at church through a mutual friend. Also, fittingly, she was stylish and her hair was laid. As an evangelist,…
Derek Ryan
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Derek Ryan S.O. What! Success Story

Have you ever connected with someone over a testimony? I’m not sure exactly how it started, but when I met Derek Ryan it seems like our first words to each other were our testimonies.  Our stories. Seeing the amazing place he was…
Karren Todd
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Dr. Karren Todd: S.O. What! Success Story

Who do you look up to? I’m grateful that there are several people I’ve observed and learned from over the years. This includes several women who look like me, who have modeled what I could and probably should be in many ways.  One…
LeWinfred Shack
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LeWinfred Shack S.O. What! Success Story

People who give of their time and talents have a special place in my heart.  LeWinfred Shack, best known as Shack, is one of those people. We met probably a decade ago at church, and I learned about his massage therapy business.  When…
Jermaine Swagerty
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Jermaine Swagerty S.O. What! Success Story

One thing in life that we all need is SUPPORT. And that comes in different forms from different people. It’s hurtful when it doesn’t come from where you expect it, but it’s beautiful and encouraging when it comes from unexpected places. When…
Tanisha Pugh
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Tanisha Pugh S.O. What! Success Story

Do you remember your high school Biology class?  Connected to dissecting a frog is my memory of my classmate, Tanisha (Johnson) Pugh. It actually goes back to elementary school but most vivid are my memories from Biology class. When we…
Greg Caesar
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Greg Caesar S.O. What! Success Story

What are some of the positive moments in your life that you’ll never forget? One of those moments for me was when as a teen mother I stood on the football field at halftime during the University of Memphis homecoming game in October 2000. And…
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…
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.…