Meet Shonobe Morgan MS: Motivational Speaker, Author and Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shonobe Morgan MS and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shonobe, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Wow, starting a business is easy but starting an influential business comes with blood sweat, and tears. I wanted to create a brand that would change people’s lives. It was never about the money or fame but rather helping people and inspiring them to become the best versions of themeselves.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
If it was easy everyone would be doing it. That’s a quote I use daily to motivate myself. The only thing that sets me apart from giving up or facing challenges would have to be because I have heart. Well, everyone has a heart, but what I’m referring to is never giving up regardless of how hard things get. Challenges come, life hits, adulting sometimes sucks but Purpose always overrides feelings. So I keep going. I am a Site Coordinator for Communities In Schools Atlanta. My job entails me to provide support for a caseload of students (50) to assure that they graduate on time, attend school daily, and staying out of trouble at all times. There are some cool things about my job and that would have to be the ability to take students on college tours, provide financial assistance to families that may be homeless and sleeping in their cars, or even the ability to be an advocate to make sure students receive all resources and the best education; regardless of low social-economic status’. I also run three programs Real Talk With Ms. Morgan at three different schools. With this program, I provide a curriculum surrounding my book “I am the Evidence”. It’s always great to provide literature that the students can relate to that will help them on a social and emotional level.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
An ideal week vacation in Atlanta, Ga would definitely be “lit” and exciting. All my close friends love working out so we would have to hit up E.F.F.E.C.T fitness and the beltline daily. E.F.F.E.C.T fitness for intense cardio and fellowship with amazing people and the beltline to go skating. While one the beltline it’s required to hit up Playa Bowl (for an Electric Mermaid) and Bell Street Burrito. Some of my favorite food spots in Atlanta would have to be UBAR, breakfast at Atlanta Breakfast Club, Old Lady Gang (OLG), Cousins in Buckhead for a lobster roll, Catfish nuggets at BQE, Conch Heaven on the Southside, Pappadeaux, Burgers from Freds Meat & Bread on Krog street near the Beltline. Our brunch on Saturday would have to be at The Beverly, Suite Lounge, Atlantis Buckhead, or Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar. For reading or any catching up on work would have to be done at the Dunkin Donuts in Riverdale off of Highway 85, where I’m treated like a goddess and treated well. Church service would have to be at Word of Faith with Bishop Bronner. For shopping, we would hit up all the boutiques in South lake Mall and Cumberland Mall. If we must go to a club or bar it would have to be Sahara Hookah Lounge, Suite Lounge, The fellowship, Rose bar, or even Peters Street. Definitely picnics at Piedmont Park. We would have a great time. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many individuals to thank as it relates to the success of my business. Since my business involves books, speaking, and motivational apparel; I’ve had many people that inspire me in different areas. I can recall my sophomore year in college my college professor at Florida A&M University requiring me to stand in front of the class after he randomly viewed the audience. He instructed me to come in front of the class and read My Deepest Fear. I had never stood in front of a crowd, and fear and anxiety aroused like no other. That experience stuck with me. The poem was profound, it spoke to my life, shifted my trajectory, and allowed me to know that my light could not be dimmed by anything. It showed me that God created me to shine and me playing small never served the world, but that someone needed to hear my story. It taught me that a shared story change lives. What bewildered me the most is the thought that ran through Professor Roscoe Turnquest head when choosing me, but that act of obedience changed my life. The next individual would have to be Derek Manning, a principal in Clayton County. Even though he served as a principal at Forest Park High School and impacted so many individuals, he inspired me to move to Atlanta, Ga. He was a friend of the family and attended college with my uncles, I reached out to him and told him I was considering moving to Atlanta, Ga; he simply asked what am I waiting on? It wasn’t about did I have a job lined up, or if I had a savings account, or even what triggered me to move? He simply asked what am I waiting on? I got up and left a toxic relationship and started over. I became a substitute teacher and started a program entitled Buds2Roses at his school, and things took off for me. He believed in me and I will never forget that. I can’t forget my siblings and parents. They supported me even when my vision seemed small to others. My parents spoke into my life, pushed me to better, and loved me unconditionally. My siblings, Sheena, Kelsey Sr, and Lucy; created a blueprint of going after everything I dreamt of and more. I needed support, I needed love, I needed God, and I’m thankful to have such a supportive family. My friends of course that I met here in Atlanta that was never afraid to go against the grain and my beautiful cousin Lauren Harris. She inspired me to never settle for less on all levels and modeled that daily. I’m grateful for my circle.

Website: shonobemorganms.com

Instagram: shonobe_morgan

Facebook: Shonobemorganms

Youtube: Woman in the Mirror #Shonobe Morgan

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