Posts

Darci (Richcreek) Caesar
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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
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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
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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…
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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
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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…
Andrew Bailey
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Meet Andrew Bailey, an inspiring S.O. What! Success Story

Andrew Bailey was one of the most incredible people I met during my time as a student at the University of Memphis. We were both teen parents and student leaders with tremendous challenges. And less than ideal backgrounds that most people…
BERTHA ROGERS LOONEY
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Do you know Bertha Rogers Looney of the Memphis State Eight?

Bertha Rogers Looney is a history-maker and trailblazer who made my time at the University of Memphis possible, peaceful, and progressive. Imagine being at a place where no one wants you there. Hateful words are yelled at you daily and you…
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A Focus on the Future After a Year of Loss and Lessons

2020 represents a lot of loss for me, as it does for many others. It also represents a year where I was reminded of just how creative, flexible, compassionate, and resourceful I can be and how the lessons from my past can help me focus on the…
Summer Owens and Miriam DeCosta Sugarman
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Becoming a Part of History- The Miriam DeCosta Sugarman Marker Dedication Ceremony

There are not many moments when you're invited to be a part of history. Last Monday, I had the honor of speaking on the program for a major moment in University of Memphis history. As part of the University of Memphis' initiatives to Eradicate…