Profiles & Interviews
Self Made: Theola Cudjoe Jones
CJKirkland.com
A discussion with Theola Cudjoe Jones, a longtime resident and advocate of Boley: one of the last remaining historic all-Black towns in Oklahoma.
901 Superhero, 201 Kings of Grit
4 Memphis Magazine
Kings of Grit founder and director James Lancaster discusses the power of fitness and brotherhood for formerly incarcerated men of the Mid-south.
4 Memphis Magazine
Founder and CEO of Black Lens Productions, Jason Farmer, discusses the groundbreaking effort to bring Hollywood-caliber film and television production to Memphis.
A Memphis Heart Blooms in Holland
River City Rising
During a trip to the Netherlands, I reconnected with Memphian Marisa Wittmann, who shared how living abroad has reshaped her priorities, from embracing cultural differences to focusing on what truly matters in life. Her reflections on adapting to change and finding growth in unfamiliar environments resonated deeply with my own experiences of moving to Memphis.
An Unexpected Hero
River City Rising
Tom Lee, a poor fisherman unable to swim, risked his life in 1925 to save 32 passengers from the capsized steamboat M.E. Norman, an act commemorated by a bronze sculpture in the Memphis park bearing his name. Nearly a century later, Shelby County inmate Tyteaddis Johnson similarly displayed selflessness, rescuing a woman from a car crash, proving that heroism transcends time, status, and expectation.
Brilliant Books by Stellar Speakers
Executive Speakers Bureau
Summer is the perfect season for diving into compelling reads with Executive Speakers Bureau showcasing a diverse selection of books authored by renowned speakers who offer insights on creativity, innovation, leadership, adaptability, and personal growth: guaranteed to inspire readers professionally and personally.
Carolyn Bailey: A Stop on Judy Lynn
River City Rising
Carolyn Bailey, a dedicated sous-chef at the Memphis Hunt & Polo Club and owner of the catering company A Stop on Judy Lynn, is a talented, tireless culinary artist whose exceptional skill, thoughtful hospitality, and heart-driven work have earned her acclaim from prominent guests, peers, and community members alike.
Dana Wilson: BRIDGES
River City Rising
Dana Wilson, crowned Grand Master Storyteller of 2014 at Spillit’s Grand Slam for her heartfelt story of loss and resilience, channels her passion for authentic connections and leadership into her role as Vice President of Youth Programs at BRIDGES, where she inspires Memphis youth to embrace transformation and community impact.
Elvis the King Giver
River City Rising
A visit to Graceland reveals Elvis Presley’s profound legacy of generosity, showcasing his extraordinary philanthropy during his life and its ongoing impact through charitable foundations and fan club efforts.
Engagement Through Entertainment
Executive Speakers Bureau
The growing recognition of creativity's role in workplace productivity has driven demand for speakers like Javier Peña, Mark Schulman, Ronan Tynan, Ben Hines, and Erik Wahl, who use innovative approaches such as music, performance, and art to inspire audiences, foster collaboration, and redefine success.
Digital Marketing Speakers
Executive Speakers Bureau
Today's consumers, who have grown up in a tech-driven world, require companies to adapt their marketing strategies to the Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Big Data, and digital marketing, with insights from experts like John Rossman, Daniel Sieberg, Mike Walsh, Greg Verdino, and Aaron Dignan offering guidance on how businesses can succeed in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Women's Conference Speakers
Executive Speakers Bureau
Women’s Leadership Conferences are dynamic and essential for professional women, offering unique opportunities for growth through inspiring female leaders who share wisdom and experience in business, purpose, and leadership.
Faces of Courage, Fighters of Injustice
Executive Speakers Bureau
Executive Speakers Bureau represents a diverse group of courageous and influential individuals, including Anita Hill, Elizabeth Smart, Lynn Brewer, Erin Brockovich, Dr. Bernice King, Pamela Meyer, Dr. Bruce Weinstein, and Susan Scott, who have used their personal experiences and expertise to champion justice, ethical leadership, and transformative conversations, inspiring societal and workplace change.
From Memphis to Tanzania
River City Rising
Ralph and Twyla Williams, committed to lasting change rather than fleeting gestures, retired from their lives in Memphis to spend 18 months in Tanzania, teaching locals how to build rainwater collection systems and empowering them with sustainable skills to address critical needs like clean water and literacy.
Happiness and Personal Performance
Executive Speakers Bureau
Happiness, rooted internally and fostered through a positive mindset, leadership, gratitude, and wellness, drives personal performance and productivity, ultimately leading to organizational success and profitability, as demonstrated by the insights of top motivational speakers.
Indie Memphis Film Festival: Lawrence Matthews
River City Rising
Lawrence Matthews, a multifaceted Memphis artist, musician, and mentor, has turned personal struggles and countless rejections into a powerful force for change, using his art and advocacy to uplift his community, inspire young talent, and create meaningful spaces for underrepresented voices.
Inspiring Books by Inspirational Speakers
Executive Speakers Bureau
As the New Year approaches, Executive Speakers Bureau highlights seven influential speakers and their books, offering expert guidance on personal and professional growth, from leadership and innovation to overcoming obstacles and fostering meaningful relationships.
David Lindsey Finds Memphis Karma
River City Rising
Actor Andre Jackson's years-long search for a Memphis home ended with a Harbor Town property transformed by interior designer David Lindsey into a personalized, artistic retreat.
Jamie Harmon: Capturing Crosstown
River City Rising
Memphis artist Jamie Harmon, known for his uniquely striking photography through Amurica, embodies the spirit of transformation by embracing creative freedom, capturing the unseen beauty in ordinary moments, and inspiring a city to see potential in forgotten places like the revitalized Crosstown Concourse.
A Son's Leadership, a Father's Love
River City Rising
Jim Baker’s life, shaped by love, sacrifice, and hard work, reflects his upbringing on a farm, his education in chemistry and physics, his entrepreneurial success, and his deep commitment to giving back to others, values he has instilled in his son Austin through lessons in attention, honesty, and generosity.
Jim Duncan: Life Lessons in Business, Business Lessons in Life
River City Rising
Jim Duncan's journey in transforming the Memphis Botanic Garden into an award-winning space offered profound lessons on the intersection of business and life, emphasizing truth, decisive action, financial discipline, belief in purpose, and the transformative power of passion.
Kira Tucker: Student and Community Leader
River City Rising
17-year-old Kira Tucker, a brilliant and accomplished high school senior from Memphis with a passion for Russian, writing, and global issues, highlights her academic achievements, worldly perspective, and aspirations to make a difference in the world while leaving her future career path open-ended.
Louie Gravance
Executive Speakers Bureau
Louie Gravance began his career as a child actor, achieving remarkable success at The Walt Disney Company where he would later train thousands in customer service and develop business programs for the Disney Institute. He went on to become an internationally recognized speaker and consultant known for transforming corporate cultures through his innovative service initiatives.
Nardine and the Road to Naturalization
River City Rising
A routine trip to the library transformed into a profound moment of reflection for me as I witnessed a naturalization ceremony, celebrating the stories of immigrants like Nardine, a Jamaican nurse in Memphis, whose journey to U.S. citizenship epitomized resilience, gratitude, and the fulfillment of long-held dreams.
Outage Leads to Lines of Hope
River City Rising
During a major storm-related power outage in Memphis, social media became a source of hope and community support, highlighted by Dr. Erica Kaye's #1450daysofhope posts, where she shares daily messages of hope, history, and personal reflection, inspired by her desire to leave a legacy of strength for her daughter.
Philanthropic Leaders and Speakers
Executive Speakers Bureau
Executive Speakers Bureau represents speakers whose missions focus on year-round philanthropy and heart-centered action, inspiring change through giving, environmental restoration, education, and global empathy.
Popular Speakers of ESB
Executive Speakers Bureau
Business keynote speakers who are in high demand often combine personal experiences with professional expertise, offering relatable, inspiring messages that resonate with audiences and encourage resilience, growth, and meaningful change.
Ready for Sunrise
River City Rising
In a year marked by profound personal loss and collective hardship, I reflect on the irreplaceable absence of a confidante, spiritual guide, and best friend--while finding solace and renewal in the kindness of others and the simple yet profound comfort of a local diner, Sunrise Memphis, whose name symbolizes hope for the days ahead.
Remembering Mr. Bob
River City Rising
A chance connection with a kindhearted crossing guard, "Mr. Bob," whose waves and smiles brightened countless days, leaving a profound impact on those who knew him as a shining example of the Best of Memphis.
Remembering Coach Ramsey
River City Rising
Coach Ramsey, a devoted track and field coach and father figure from 1988 to 1992, deeply impacted countless lives with his servant’s heart, steadfast guidance, and unwavering belief in his students' potential, inspiring one former athlete to overcome personal struggles, achieve record-breaking success, and carry forward his enduring lessons of forgiveness, perseverance, and self-belief.
Robert O'Kelley: A Coach's Heart
River City Rising
A hesitant mother (and former basketball fan nostalgic about the team-centered ethos of the past) finds renewed hope and community through her son's T-ball season under the leadership of Coach O'Kelley, whose focus on character, faith, and love transforms sports into a family-centered experience.
Robinson Bridgeforth: Drums and Dreams
River City Rising
Memphis native Robinson Bridgeforth, a world-touring drummer with the Jeff Jensen Band and original member of REACH, overcame a labyrinth of unexpected turns—from discovering his passion for drums at Stax Music Academy to navigating financial setbacks that redirected him to Visible Music College—ultimately leading him to critical acclaim with the release of REACH's debut album, Genesis.
Speakers Big on Space
Executive Speakers Bureau
A rare solar eclipse and the wisdom of astronauts both offer fleeting yet powerful moments to inspire, teach, and leave a lasting impact on our lives.
Speakers Who Make Us Laugh
Executive Speakers Bureau
Learn to lead, laugh, and thrive with these inspirational speakers who use humor and real-life lessons to empower and entertain.
3 Reasons to Bring a Sports Speaker to Your Next Event
Executive Speakers Bureau
Sports figures inspire as keynote speakers by blending relatable life lessons, diverse appeal, and their journeys of triumph and resilience, making them impactful guides for personal and professional growth.
The Greatest Gift
River City Rising
Two brave women, united by faith and selfless love, turned heartache into hope through the ultimate gift of life, proving that miracles often come wrapped in shared courage.
When a Servant Leader Leaves
River City Rising
True servant leadership leaves an indelible mark, as those who give selflessly—like my doctor, my son’s counselor, and even Memphis legend Zach Randolph—remind us that hearts of service can never truly be replaced.