Posts

Alton Cryer
, , , ,

Why You Should Never Give Up on Our Young Men, Alton Cryer S.O. What! Success Story

When I started my speaking journey, I was invited to share my “Against All Odds” story. That was for the Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis. One of the students in the audience was Alton Cryer. Whom I…
Tiffany Bellafant Steward
, , ,

An Unexpected Journey in Higher Education, Tiffany Bellafant Steward S.O. What! Success Story

Last week I shared how as a high school junior, a few of my friends. And I skipped school and hung out with AKA’s on the campus of the University of Memphis.  One of those women was Tiffany Bellafant Steward who experienced what I felt was…
Almetria Turner
, , , , ,

When Transforming Your Body Transforms Your Life, Almetria Turner S.O. What! Success Story

Can you imagine someone weighing nearly 300 pounds becoming one of your health and fitness role models? As a high school junior, a few of my friends and I skipped a couple of days of school (Shush, don’t tell anyone). We spent those days…
Ashley Daniel
, , , ,

Being a Mom is a Full-Time Job, Ashley Daniel S.O. What! Success Story

One thing I know for sure is that you never know what the future holds. When I met Ashley Daniel, Bradshaw at the time. We were college freshmen excited about serving on the Student Activities Council. By our sophomore year, we were both…
Darci (Richcreek) Caesar
, , , ,

One of the Most Emotional Interviews I’ve Done – Darci (Richcreek) Caesar

I attended the University of Memphis on the Emerging Leaders Scholarship and one of my special Emerging Leaders friends was Darci (Richcreek) Caesar. It was a small group of us, and we learned a lot about leadership and grew together as…
Bilicia Hill
, , ,

My friend, Bilicia Hill, a S.O. What! Success Story

When I moved to Memphis for college in 1997, I came with two of my best friends and Bilicia Hill was one of them. Friends since 8th grade, we had a lot in common. But what I loved the most about Bilicia Hill was how positive she was during…
Martin Truitt
, , , ,

Meet Memphis Alum, Martin Truitt

Although it was a small gesture to him, it was a huge deal to me. Ten years ago when I published my first book, Martin Truitt was the first person to buy one.  And I’ll never forget it. He’s a supporter so it came naturally to him…
, , , , ,

Graduating Against the Odds: How I Made it to My 20 Year College Graduation Anniversary

It's graduation season, and many students are graduating against the odds. Financial challenges, lack of support, illnesses, competing priorities, too many responsibilities and so many other obstacles keep many people from completing college. But…
Jeremy Calhoun
, , , , ,

Meet Jeremy Calhoun, a First-Gen S.O. What! Success Story

When I worked in marketing at FedEx, my VP, Len Hostetter invited me to speak on Creativity as part of the University of Memphis’s 4 C’s program to the class he taught as an adjunct professor. As I walked back to my car that evening after…