Ep 24: The Importance of Staying True to Yourself with Travelius "Trell" Harris
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
Release Date: 02/24/2022
EP 38: Key Life Lessons from a Remarkable Journey
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
In this engaging conversation, Cynthia A Bond Hopson and Rick Meekins reflect on the life lessons learned over the years, emphasizing the importance of integrity, persistence, and being present. They discuss practical advice on financial responsibility, the value of common sense, and the significance of asking questions. The conversation also touches on health awareness and the impact of kindness on children, providing listeners with a comprehensive guide to personal growth and self-improvement. In this episode: Be present, prepared, and persistent in all endeavors. Integrity and honor are...
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EP 37: Staying in Your Lane: Focusing on Your Strengths with W. Rick Meekins
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
Rick Meekins shares his journey from being in the military to working in the restaurant business and eventually starting his own restaurant. He then transitioned into consulting and founded , a consulting company that helps people sustain their businesses. One of the key lessons he learned is the importance of staying in your lane and focusing on what you do best. Rick Meekins shares his lessons learned in business and life, including the importance of trusting in God and being resilient in the face of challenges. He emphasizes the need for business owners to adapt and embrace new...
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EP: 36 It takes more than one to get things done ... Commissioner Jeffery Richmond is determined to make a difference.
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
This week on 'Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life,' we're joined by Haywood County Tennessee District 8 Commissioner Jeffery Richmond. Hailing from the iconic 'Tina Turner's hometown,' Commissioner Richmond shares his personal and inspiring journey into politics and government service, and his future goals. In this episode Commissioner Richmond talks about: ● Roots and family: Richmond shares insights into his roots, the impact of his father's death on his life, and his sister’s activism. ● Entry into politics: He...
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EP: 35 Writing and Telling Stories for History’s Sake with Prof. Henri Giles
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
This week’s episode dives into the personal history of Professor Henrietta Giles and her experiences as a child at the heart of the desegregation movement of the 1960s. Today, her life has come full circle in her current work as a journalist, cultural historian, professor, and documentary storyteller. In this episode Prof. Henri talks about: • Her background. • The two pivotal moments in her youth that had the most impact on her life. • Her work as a college professor enables her to guide students in discovering the social issues that most impact them. • Her...
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EP: 34 Shoe Heels to Heal the Human Spirit with Charisma Cannon
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
This week’s episode details how one determined woman is helping people return to the path of dignity, stability, and wellbeing — with a new pair of shoes. Chicago’s Charisma Cannon describes her journey building the non-profit organization Shoe Heals. Drawing on a combination of faith in God, self-confidence, and determination, Charisma partners with organizations around Chicago to serve people in need. Shoe Heals provides new shoes to the homeless, foster children, recently incarcerated youth, low-income workforce, and many more. In this episode Charisma talks about: • Her...
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EP 33: Reaching and Teaching Resilience with Dr. Marcus L. Matthews
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson’s former student, Dr. Marcus L. Matthews is now a celebrated educator himself. In today’s episode, he shares with her some of the defining moments of his life and how he has converted his experiences into resilience and understanding as an educator. Today, Dr. Matthews leads and inspires teachers and other educators to develop trauma-informed classrooms that help students succeed, no matter their circumstances. Be inspired by his story and learn more about his work, books, and words of wisdom in this episode of Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life: The...
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EP 32: Staying True to Your Identity with Johnny Shaw
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
"Reverend and Representative" Johnny Shaw, growing up in Laconia, TN, as the youngest of 11, was the golden voice of the church choir. He has become the voice urging citizens to vote for change by representing District 80 of Tennessee since January 2001. From being rejected for having a "Black Voice" to spreading Black Gospel Music globally through his Shaw’s Broadcasting, his story is inspiring. In this candid conversation, he expresses his views on politics, the need to serve, the challenges of having two Black-owned radio stations, 94.7 WOJG FM and WBOL 1560 AM, and staying true to his...
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EP 31: On Being a Phenomenal Woman with Civil Miller-Watkins
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
The ability to just show up and do what others have not tried will give you the confidence to break new ground. Civil Miller-Watkins is the Vice-Chair of the Fayette County School board, a mother, grandmother and politician. Over the years, she has contested for a couple of offices that many black women do not even think about running for. Although she did not win some of the elections, she came out with life lessons that can help empower other people, and black women especially, to shoot for the stars. Civil is a leader’s leader, a phenomenal exceptional woman who was able to balance family...
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EP 30: Finding People Solutions and Answers with Justin L. Harris
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
Managing people is one of the hardest things that you do as a leader. Every day leaders complain about their teams and try to create new ones as though that would solve the problem. In this episode, Justin L. Harris, a certified Human Resources Professional and Practitioner with over 20 years of experience, shows us that there is a better way to manage people and lead them towards productivity. Throughout the podcast, he echoes the importance of knowing your craft, and because he has achieved mastery in his career, he can share insights gathered over the years. As you listen to this podcast,...
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EP 29: How Faith Keeps Your Path Straight with Rev. Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield
Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life
All the way from Downtown ‘no place’ in Tennessee to becoming Professor of Christian Education, Spiritual Formation, and Youth Ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS), Rev. Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield has traveled a long way on the winding course of life. His journey from being an accountant to becoming pastor, church administrator, fraternity president, professor, author, and mentor will inspire you to embrace the changes that life brings. In this episode, he talks about how his family shaped his life, the choices he made, how he dealt with the loss of a loved one, his brotherhood...
info_outlineTravelius "Trell" Harris is more than just an engineer. He is a world traveler and founder of the Alita A. Watkins Memorial Scholarship, a nonprofit organization established in 2010 which awards scholarships to deserving graduating students, in memory of his mother. He is also the owner of Annie Lue Estates, a real estate business established in 2013 that provides affordable housing to well over 100+ individuals.
In 4th grade, Trell began to understand the power of speech and conversation after winning a public speaking contest. He discovered that by communicating effectively, he could persuade the crowd by using good diction and enthusiasm.
He uses these skills in his daily life and imparts this knowledge to others. His goal is to pull others up and assist them with their life goals and ambitions.
Trell founded the Camp Cousin Uncle Trell, a non-profit camp for children in his family who are 5 years and older, offering them new experiences, life skills, creative, mental and physical activities - and of course good communication.
Trell firmly believes that remaining true to yourself (not listening to other people’s limiting beliefs) and practicing self-determination are life traits that will allow you to live life on your terms.
By caring less about what others think about you, and thinking about what you should be doing, you can live a full life without limiting yourself mentally or physically.
Currently Trell is working with his family to construct a public venue in his hometown - for the community to host events at an affordable cost for all.