The Power to Persist

In this powerful solo episode of the Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris speaks directly to listeners navigating the overwhelming reality of sudden career disruptions and layoffs. Delivering an encouraging, heartfelt address straight from the basement of his childhood home on the South Side of Chicago, McMorris addresses the deep uncertainty caused by shrinking industries, eliminated government jobs, and corporate restructuring. He reminds listeners that true resilience isn't simply about bouncing back, but about rebuilding oneself when the ground beneath has shifted and understanding that a paycheck never defines your intrinsic worth or purpose.

Throughout the address, McMorris highlights three specific habits from his book that empower individuals to rise above life's unexpected challenges. He discusses how embracing vulnerability allows people to acknowledge fear and uncertainty as the essential first step toward healing, without feeling embarrassed or forced to pretend everything is okay. He stresses the habit of leaning into your network, reminding listeners that resilience grows through authentic relationships and that someone in your circle holds the insight, connection, or encouragement you need right now. Finally, McMorris calls for agility, challenging those affected to remain open to new industries, roles, and paths they never previously considered. By combining these core habits with a practical framework for moving forward, this episode serves as a compassionate roadmap for staying grounded, strong, and focused when life gets heavy.

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In this inspiring episode of the Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris sits down in the basement of his childhood home on the South Side of Chicago with global business leader Steven Williams, Executive Vice President, Vice Chairman, and Global Chief Commercial Officer at PepsiCo. Williams shares his remarkable journey from being the youngest of nine children in small-town Haskell, Oklahoma, to guiding one of the world's most iconic consumer brands. He reflects on his early years stocking grocery shelves, lessons learned from his father, and how staying grounded in core values enabled him to navigate 29 years and over 15 distinct roles within PepsiCo while driving initiatives like Southern Dallas Thrives and community restaurant accelerators.

Throughout their discussion, Williams and McMorris illustrate how adopting key leadership practices opens doors to long-term success. Williams demonstrates dogged determination by taking on the toughest corporate assignments, embracing high-risk challenges, and proving that where you start does not define how far you can go. He models the agility of introspection by maintaining a growth mindset, continually adapting his style to be effective whether on a factory dock or in a board room, and learning from every career pivot. Above all, Williams highlights the power of building a network, emphasizing that performance gets you noticed, but establishing trusted, reciprocal relationships serves as an essential safety net and airbag when navigating the realities of corporate leadership.

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We’ve all heard the famous saying—if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. But in this deeply personal solo episode of the Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris asks a much more critical question: what actually happens once you earn your seat in the room?

McMorris breaks down the hard-learned lessons of stepping into high-stakes rooms starting at age twenty-six, explaining why simply getting invited is never a moment of arrival—it's the beginning of a harder job. He challenges listeners to reframe their presence from a "favor" or charity case into essential "value added," while warning against the trap of mistaking one person's presence for collective progress. McMorris provides a no-nonsense framework for navigating lonely seats of power, stressing why true leadership requires fluency in two distinct languages: the language of the boardroom and the language of the block. Tune in for a powerful guide on how to walk into rooms with leverage, build a strong delegation, and use your seat to bring others along so you never go in empty-handed.

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In this solo episode of The Power to Persist, Lamell McMorris finally tells, in full, a story he's kept mostly private for twenty-six years: how he came to help lead Redeem the Dream, the August 2000 march on Washington against police brutality and racial profiling, alongside Reverend Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III. Prompted by young organizers asking him whether marches actually change anything, Lamell walks through the weeks nobody saw — the coalition calls that ran past midnight, a tense pre-march meeting with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, and the fear he carried standing at the microphone in front of a crowd he'd asked to trust him.

What makes the episode land is Lamell's Vulnerability — his admission, rare for a leader telling this kind of story, that he spent every night before the march running through his own doubts: Am I the person who should be doing this? That same honesty carries into his account of Faith, describing the quiet, unscripted prayer he said the morning of the march — not for success, but simply to be enough. Twenty-six years later, he traces how that day launched a longer arc, from executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to founding Greenlining Realty USA, and makes the case that the real test of leadership isn't the march itself, but what you build in the years after the cameras leave.

n this special episode of the Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris sits down in Woodlawn on the South Side of Chicago with civic leader Dorri McWhorter. The President and CEO of the Executives Club of Chicago and former head of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago shares her journey from accounting partner to social impact pioneer. McWhorter argues that non-profit is merely a tax status rather than a business model, showing how applying acquisitions, innovative partnerships with brands like Uber and Peloton, and launching an ETF can expand community impact.

Throughout the episode, McWhorter weaves the show's core habits directly into her leadership story. She demonstrates dogged determination through her relentless drive to push beyond traditional boundaries and catalyze growth in underserved neighborhoods. She pairs this grit with the agility of introspection, constantly questioning outdated models and adapting business strategies to fit a changing world. Ultimately, McWhorter highlights the power of building a network, emphasizing that lasting progress relies on fostering deep, trusting relationships where leaders collaborate, grow, and succeed together.

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In this special, high-energy episode of the Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris addresses the students of Birmingham Schools to deliver an empowering message on what it truly takes to thrive in an unpredictable world. Drawing on his personal experiences and the core principles of his book, McMorris breaks down how establishing daily, intentional practices early in life creates the foundation for lifelong success, self-determination, and community impact.

He urges the students to lean into dogged determination, reminding them that resilience isn't about avoiding failure, but having the quiet grit to keep showing up and doing the work when motivation fades. McMorris highlights the vital need for agility, showing young minds how to embrace self-reflection, stay open to pivot when unexpected hurdles arise, and reframe obstacles as fuel for personal growth. Above all, he emphasizes that no one succeeds alone, stressing the practice of building a network of peers, mentors, and allies grounded in mutual support and shared accountability. This inspiring address provides Birmingham’s next generation with a clear, practical roadmap to own their narrative and lead with confidence.

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Purchase your copy here: The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience 

As the NAACP convenes this week in Chicago for its National Convention, there could not be a more timely conversation than this one. In this powerful episode of The Power to Persist podcast, host Lamell McMorris sits down with NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson for an intimate discussion on the front lines of modern civil rights leadership. The conversation begins with a personal reflection on legendary Chicago journalist Vernon Jarrett—the founder of the NAACP's ACT-SO program—who selected a 13-year-old Lamell to serve as a student co-host on his weekly television program. That early opportunity became a defining lesson in the power of mentorship, exposure, and leadership.

Johnson shares deep insights into his own journey from a 1.8 high school GPA to leading one of America's most consequential organizations, illustrating the Dogged Determination required to overcome early obstacles and relentlessly show up for the movement.

Throughout the discussion, Johnson emphasizes that modern advocacy demands the Agility to pivot away from outdated playbooks, breaking down why 1960s tactics cannot solve 2026 challenges. Rather than allowing external systems to dictate the terms of progress, he champions the importance of Building a Network of collective resilience—connecting corporate governance with voting rights, strengthening mentorship, expanding representation through the NAACP Image Awards, investing in the next generation through ACT-SO, and aligning the global Black diaspora for lasting impact.

This episode is a compelling masterclass in institutional modernization, character-driven leadership, and the enduring persistence required to create meaningful change.

A core part of the discussion highlights the NAACP's commitment to youth empowerment through the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). This year-round achievement initiative is designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage academic and cultural excellence among high school students. By competing in categories spanning STEM, humanities, business, and the arts, students receive the mentorship and training needed to succeed. Learn more about the program here: https://naacp.org/our-work/youth-programs/act-so-achievement-program

The momentum of these civil rights initiatives culminates in Chicago, Illinois, for the 117th NAACP National Convention at McCormick Place. Running from July 18 to July 22, 2026, under the powerful theme "We, The People," this premier annual gathering brings together activists, allies, and innovative change-makers to build collective power and foster an intergenerational approach to advocacy. Secure your registration and learn more about the event https://naacp.org/convention

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Purchase your copy here: The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience 

On this episode of the Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris speaks directly to the graduating class of 2026, addressing the pressure and anxiety surrounding rapid technological disruptions like AI. Reframing this era of transformation as an arena for opportunity, McMorris challenges corporate America to build stronger bridges of mentorship and practical experience for graduates entering vital industries like energy, infrastructure, and public service.

Instead of obsessing over a linear career path, he advises young professionals to navigate modern uncertainty by leaning into core leadership habits. Graduates can cultivate dogged determination by continually showing up when the future is unclear, while maintaining the agility of introspection and adaptability to pivot gracefully and bend without breaking during unexpected transitions. Ultimately, McMorris stresses that long-term success relies on building a network of human connection, combining technological innovation with emotional intelligence to redefine leadership.

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https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist 

To celebrate Juneteenth and the historic opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, host Lamell McMorris welcomes Incoming Executive Vice President Michael Strautmanis back to Chicago's South Side. Far from a traditional archive, this privately funded "hope machine" utilizes world-class green spaces and local hiring pipelines to expand what the next generation believes they can achieve.

Throughout the episode, Strautmanis weaves the show's core leadership habits directly into his journey. He shares how dogged determination led him to call a hiring director monthly for over a year to secure the job that introduced him to the Obamas. He pairs this grit with the agility of introspection—a self-reflection habit learned from President Obama to overcome people-pleasing and find authentic purpose. Ultimately, he defines his legacy as building a network of winners by working behind the scenes to let others succeed and scale systemic community impact.

About the Obama Presidential Center

The Obama Presidential Center, located on Chicago’s South Side, is a civic hub and "hope machine" designed to invest in local communities and inspire the next generation of global leaders. Far from a traditional museum, the privately funded campus features world-class architectural green spaces, a public playground, and a branch of the Chicago Public Library. It stands as a vibrant economic and cultural catalyst, offering community programming, local career pipelines, and immersive exhibits that celebrate the legacy of President and Mrs. Obama.

To plan a visit or explore their civic programs, check out these official resources:

• Plan Your Visit: https://www.obama.org/visit/

• Civic Initiatives: https://www.obama.org/

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