
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…

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…

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,…

Three Crucial Tips for College Students in New Student Orientation Programs
For most students, going to college comes with a variety of thoughts and emotions.
Excitement, fear, hope, anxiety, curiousity, and uncertainty are common feelings. Those feelings are often amplified if you're a first-generation college student…

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…

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…

Carlos Malave S.O. What! Success Story
I love new friends!
Especially those with incredible stories of strength and resilience that inspire me and so many others.
Carlos Malave is one of the newest speakers in the agency that currently represents me for my college speaking.…

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…

Odell Bizzell S.O. What! Success Story
Doesn’t it feel good when you meet someone doing the same thing as you and they immediately cheer you on and offer real help? I met Odell Bizzell as part of the National Speakers Association a few years ago but really got to know him when…