Candace J. Semien

Over the past four years and some 30,000 plus miles traveled for interviews, this book, this story, this start has been with me. No matter how often I put Southern Greats down, I was pulled back to work and bring this story forward. I was pulled back into the purpose of teaching, inspiring, motivating, and empowering you with these stories of over forty, highly accomplished Southern University and A&M College graduates, who I call Southern Greats. The idea of this book started in the home of Southern Great Irving Matthews, owner of two Ford dealerships in Central Florida. The project was fully birthed after meeting with Dennis Kimbro, PhD., author of Think and Grow Rich: a Black Choice, who challenged me with seven questions. Out of those questions was born the purpose of providing a book that reveals the successful characteristics of these Great Southernites and Great Americans. They all share a great love for life, a passion for their purpose, and a greater love for Southern University.