How Memphis City Councilman Myron Lowery and his wife, Mary Lowery, impacted my life
 Memphis City Council Chairman Myron Lowery District 8, Position 3 If you don’t already have one, here are eight proven, strategic reasons to experience the mentee-mentor life-path: 1. Your good decision-making capabilities improve 2. Your perspective broadens 3. You confidently navigate turbulent-career waters 4. Your intellectual heights soar 5. You develop active listening skills 6. You value giving back 7. You appreciate why it’s essential to plan, plan, plan A life-changing high school experience Lowery, who recently announced that he is not seeking re-election, was first elected in 1991. His commitment to the community spilled over to a [Memphis] Central High School 10th-grader, who dreamed of becoming a journalist. Lowery joined other Memphis Association of Black Journalists at a volunteer event sponsored in part by the now-defunct Memphis Volunteer Placement Program. The event targeted high school aspiring journalists. After I graduated from Central and enrolled in a broadcast journalism career sequence at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, I landed my first journalism job at KRBC-TV, the NBC affiliate, while studying at ACU. Lowery critiqued my early TV news stories, using his expertise as an award-winning former WMC-TV anchorman/reporter. Lowery's feedback helped me become a better reporter/photographer in the small West Texas town. Encouragement to aim higher Later when I returned to Memphis and joined WLOK-AM and then WGKX-KIX 106 FM, both as news director, he urged me to complete the application for the U.S. Junior Chamber's Ten Outstanding Young Americans award, based on the childhood poverty I experienced and my broadcast career success. Initially, I was disinterested. However, Lowery, who “has been honored by the Tennessee Jaycees as one of ‘Three Outstanding Young Men’ in the state” and is one of the U.S. Jaycees’ Ten Outstanding Young Men in America award winners, strongly "encouraged" me to fill out the application. A T.O.Y.A. representative’s telephone call notifying me that my name would be included among the 1993 class of prestigious honorees, left me speechless. Lifelong influencers, role models As the first college graduate among my siblings, I am deeply grateful for the Lowerys' support throughout the years. Their ongoing encouragement continues, even during the deaths of both my parents. Mary Lowery provided a comforting shoulder at the June 18, 2013, funeral service of my mother, Mrs. Rowena H. Whiting. That meant everything, everything. Thank you both for working to make the world a better place! Thank you! | Attracting the right mentor and collaborating together can help you both reap a rich harvest, I discovered while being mentored by Myron Lowery, the longest-serving African-American member of the Memphis City Council. As a product of divorce, food stamps, welfare and "free" cheese, having a good mentor enhanced my life and provided new options I very likely would not have had otherwise. Rest assured that having Memphis City Council Chairman Lowery and his wife Mary's influence and support made a WONDERFULLY POSITIVE difference, not only in my career but across my life. A sure-fire way to excellence is to have a good mentor.  Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery takes the oath of office with wife Mary by his side, Aug. 21, 2009. Photo courtesy of Facebook. |
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