Posts

Do you allow yourself to be vulnerable and transparent?
Do you allow yourself to be vulnerable and transparent?
I do. I've now spoken to hundreds of audiences. Several thousand individuals. But last week I had my biggest audience to date. About 2000 students, and if you ever…

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,…

Ekundayo Bandele: S.O. What! Success Story
When the artist becomes a businessman a beautiful creation and asset to a city is born. Ekundayo Bandele has always known he was an artist, a creator. Since I’ve lived in Memphis, I have heard his name and admired his work.
Ekundayo Bandele…

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.…

Joshua Cobb: S.O. What! Success Story
Can you imagine one moment walking around doing your job and the next moment you don’t even have your legs?
The unthinkable happened to Joshua Cobb only two weeks after he was standing in my living room.
Just as unbelievable as the…

Tim Ware: S.O. What! Success Story
Find your cheerleader.
That was the closing advice given by the former athlete turned education leader, Tim Ware, in our interview.
When we met over a decade ago, Tim Ware had started a school and today he leads another one just for young…

Bud Richey: S.O. What! Success Story
Bowties. Crawfish. And leadership.
They are all things I immediately think of when I think of Bud Richey.
As a student leader over 20 years ago, I met Bud Richey when he came to the University of Memphis to direct the Emerging Leaders…

Supporting the Strong. How I Returned the Favor to a Friend.
This is Susanne. Super Strong Susanne.
There is a small group of people who I credit with helping me to graduate from high school, supporting the strong girl I was, and becoming the woman and professional I am. Susanne is in that…