
Melissa Graham: S.O. What! Success Story
One thing I always tell my students is to talk to people. And something that almost always happens is you’ll find a lot that you have in common. Melissa Graham and I started talking because both of us have a passion for student success.…

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,…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…