speaking Archives - Summer Owens S.O. What!

Education, Events, family, friendship, General, Info, speaking

Gloria Saulsberry: S.O. What! Success Story

One of the hardest things, in my opinion, to do is to be a parent. Then add being a teen parent. How about a single parent? How about to four…boys? Whew. When I became a mentor at the Adolescent Parenting Program, I met Gloria Saulsberry,…

speaking, travel

Give a Little Grace

Something made me sad then made me so happy at the airport recently. When I arrived at the airport at 5:30am, I wasn't surprised there was a long line for security. However I was surprised it was allll the way to the entrance…

Business/Entrepreneurship, Education, Events, friendship, General, Info Article, Personal, speaking

Ed Robinson: S.O. What! Success Story

When I attended my first Influence, the premier conference for professional speakers, I was excited and also intimidated. But I was immediately embraced. One of the incredible, experienced speakers who welcomed me was Ed Robinson, the Rainmaker. Standing…

Business/Entrepreneurship, College, Education, Events, friendship, General, Info, speaking

Dr. Mario Brown: S.O. What! Success Story

When the blueprint is not given to you, but you still succeed and exceed even your own expectations. That’s the story of my friend, Dr. Mario Brown. As college students at the predominantly white institution, the University of Memphis.…

College, Education, friendship, General, Info, life, Personal, relationships, speaking

Annette McNeil: S.O. What! Success Story

It’s never too late to get your degree(s). That’s one of the first thoughts I have when I think of Annette McNeil. Another is how she too was a 15-year-old mom. A third is our connection to the Fogelman College of Business and Economics…

Business/Entrepreneurship, Events, friendship, General, life, relationships, speaking

Barbara Teicher: S.O. What! Success Story

There’s not much that really shocks me. But learning of the bicycle accident of my friend (Barbara Teicher) while she was in France certainly did. I had last seen her at the National Speakers Association’s annual conference. We laughed…

College, Events, General, speaking

3 Lessons From Hosting the 40th Distinguished Alumni Awards at the University of Memphis

In 2019 when I became the president of the University of Memphis Alumni Association National Board of Directors, hosting the 40th Distinguished Alumni Awards (DAA) program was something I looked forward to doing at the end of my term. For…

National Speakers Association Black National Speakers Association Greg Smith Strength Award Winner Summer Owens

Business/Entrepreneurship, Events, News, relationships, speaking

How Winning a National Speakers Strength Award Inspires Strength in Others

When I came home from school on my first day of kindergarten, my mom quizzed me about my teacher's name. I excitedly repsonded, "Mrs. Muscles!". Her name was actually Mrs. Armstrong, but that memory always makes me smile even through pain…

Business/Entrepreneurship, Events, Info Article, life, relationships, speaking

Fred Jones Jr: S.O. What! Success Story

When I moved to Memphis for college in the fall of 1997, one of the first events I just had to attend was the Southern Heritage Classic. At the time (and for years after), it was just an amazing gathering where I was guaranteed to see friends,…