Crystal Washington
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Unleashing the Future with Crystal Washington: A Tech Strategist and Keynote Speaker

When I joined the National Speakers Association, one of the first people to welcome me was the super intelligent, super cute, super friendly, and super amazing keynote speaker, Crystal Washington. She was well-known and highly respected in…
Summer Owens with mother and 101 year-old grandmother at the S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree
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The Success of the Inaugural S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree

One night about six years ago, I had a dream about an awards and scholarship program. I've been a part of several awards programs either as a recipient or helping to plan the event, and I knew I wanted this one to be special. On April…
Melissa Graham
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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
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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,…
Summer Owens airport
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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
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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
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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 Webb McNeil
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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
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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…