LIVE FROM MEMPHIS

My co-pilot, Kevin, was invited to speak to iBeam Group, Inspiring Business Entrepreneurship and Money Management, this evening at the University of Memphis. An organization run by our friend, Sneak Peek loyal, local actor and college student B.J. Williams, to inspire college students to glean best practices and knowledge from proven entrepreneurs in the Memphis area. I wish this organization existed when I was in college, a support system of driven like-minded individuals.  I'm pretty sure I would have done a lot less (bad stuff) and done a lot more (good stuff) during my college experience.

I went to support Kevin because I'm always inspired by his passion, his work ethic, his compelling communication skills and his life's story that is merely beginning. Given time constraints, Kevin didn't get to speak during this meeting but we quickly realized we were there to be inspired, not inspire this time.

Robin Sanders, creative director and co-founder of Out Loud Artistry introduced herself beginning with apologies for wearing Chuck Taylor's (my all-time favorite shoes) and probably one of the most genuinely enthusiastic personalities I have seen in a very long time. So much so that I leaned over to Kevin and said "I want her energy!"

She told her life's story, how she remembered singing Diana Ross' "Do You Know" in the bathtub using a bar of soap as her mic at the tender age of 5 and knowing at that moment her dream was to be a performer. She spoke about attending college, the safe route and accepting careers that offered security and consistency and consequently complacency. Her resume' reads like a performer's dream, touring the country with chart-topping Christian musicians and making a solid income. While she loves this career, Robin reminded us that there was only one problem, she was helping to fulfill these musician's dreams instead of living her own dream.   

"Dream big!" she said many times throughout the night, and I couldn't help but wipe the tears from my optimistic eyes. Robin said she never longed to be rich or famous. She has always and only longed to make an impact. She stressed the importance of being "in line with your purpose." This phrase and this moment makes me think of Lauryn Hill's "Freedom Time" song, where while crying uncontrollably, Lauryn says "get free, be who you're supposed to be." 

Robin is doing that now with her co-pilot, and together they are making small, tangible and committed steps to living out loud and positively impacting the lives of Memphians.

We all have this innate and unique gift that, I believe, we are here to develop and share with the world. Robin gets that, she has tapped into it, and she is sharing. How lucky we are! I really wish I could call her every morning at 7:45 in lieu of coffee and energy drinks. She would be my healthy and wholesome dose of ammunition to continue to dream big and then do, making sure all the while that I am living a purposeful life. 

 Below is a short video of Robin (white shirt) helping Memphis area youth tap into their creative offerings. For more information about Out Loud Artistry and the many ways they are engaging the Memphis community please visit olatn.com. 

I am strange fruit. and so are you. 

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