‘TERRY IS SOOOOOO VERY BRILLIANT’ — To her distinctly unique credit, Terry A. O’Neal occupation includes the 44-year-old Stockton, California native assuming the role as an author, poet, screenwriter, producer, public speaker, motivational speaker, voice over artist, mentor, educator, as well as an instructor of Communications, English, and Literature. Talk a remarkably compelling career for a woman of many hats.
For the record, Terry A. O’Neal could be appropriately described as one who is a Jill of all trades.
You know, a woman who is skilled in or adept at a wide variety of tasks or abilities, not to mention one who is quite efficient in many endeavors.
Consider, for instance, how O’Neal broke down her professional lines of work during an exclusive interview this week with Making Headline News.
To her distinctly unique credit, O’Neal’s occupation includes the 44-year-old Stockton, California native presently assuming the role as an author, poet, screenwriter, producer, public speaker, motivational speaker, voice over artist, mentor, educator, as well as an instructor of Communications, English, and Literature.
Talk a remarkably compelling career for a woman of many hats.
Because her businesses are what she described as “cross functional,” that she has blessed with the gift of giving back is extremely key, O’Neal acknowledged.
“What has driven me most in business was my fervent desire to be successful and to inspire others,” O’Neal said. “Rather than being in competition with others, I was always competing with myself. I constantly challenge myself to be better than I was before.”
Given the immense strides she has made while juggling a slew of notable and commendable tasks, not only is O’Neal excelling mightily, but it’s safe to assume that she has shown virtually no signs of slowing down any time soon. Who can blame her?
That’s because for starters, she started an independent book publishing company called Motion Publishing in 1999 whereby she is afforded the opportunity to publish inspirational books of poetry, children’s books, Southern family fiction, and full-length feature screenplays. Interestingly, she is credited for having published the works of several authors, including the youth poetry anthology, Make Some Noise: A Youth Poetry Anthology, which is a collection of poetry and prose written by youth ages ranging in ages 12-to-18.
GLOBAL IMPACT — Interestingly, she immense gifts and talents through entrepreneurship have attracted a global presence, most notably in South Africa, Iran, Jamaica, Australia, Canada, Bermuda, Pakistan, and throughout an array of establishments across America.
It wasn’t long thereafter that O’Neal in 2005 established the Lend Your Hand, Educating the World’s Children non-profit organization, which is designed to support disadvantaged schools, classrooms and deprived youth in general, while supplying them with the proper supplies and/or financial contributions needed to help make learning a success.
Consequently, O’Neal in 2008 founded the Black National Black History Bee, which is a program devised to test students’ knowledge of Black History facts in the form of a trivia competition, of sorts.
Then two years ago, O’Neal’s non-profit organization’s name converted to The Terry O’Neal Foundation, whereby it offers the same services to disadvantaged youth around the world.
SUCH A HUGE INSPIRATION — Given the immense strides she has made while juggling of number of notable and commendable tasks, not only O’Neal excelling mightily, but it’s safe to assume that she has shown virtually no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Also, O’Neal is founder and producer of the entertainment production company called Le Bleu Ray Production, which produces inspirational family films, narratives, and documentaries.
Talk a remarkably compelling career for a woman of many hats.
“Making sure all of my I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed is imperative,” said O’Neal, explaining how her competitive drive in life has propelled her for what undoubtedly is an illustrious career for her. “When it comes to dealing with the personal lives of people — and in the business, in general — quality over quantity applies to every aspect of it.”
And because her businesses are what she described as “cross functional,” that she has blessed with the gift of giving back is extremely key, O’Neal acknowledged.
“Although (my businesses) operate independently to complete a specific task, they come together and work collectively to meet one common core goal: to create positive change for society through arts, literature, culture, and education,” O’Neal, a California State University at Sacramento alumna, said. “I appreciate my ability to give back and make a difference in the lives of others.”
O’Neal is credited for having started an independent book publishing company called Motion Publishing in 1999 whereby she is afforded the opportunity to publish inspirational books of poetry, children’s books, Southern family fiction, and full-length feature screenplays. Interestingly, she is credited for having published the works of several authors, including the youth poetry anthology, Make Some Noise: A Youth Poetry Anthology, which is a collection of poetry and prose written by youth ages ranging in ages 12-to-18.
As for those who have the luxury of benefiting from her valiant contributions as an accomplished businesswoman, O’Neal’s publishing company caters to all ages and ethnicities, she emphasized.
“Most of the works published have an emphasis on Black heritage and culture,” O’Neal said. “We put out picture children’s books, poetry, young adult fiction, southern fiction, non-fiction, inspirational stories, and screenplays.”
Moreover, the Terry O’Neal Foundation caters primarily to disadvantaged schools and youth ages 18 years and under, she said.
SHE’S SO ON POINT — “Making sure all of my I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed is imperative,” said O’Neal, explaining how her competitive drive in life has propelled her for what undoubtedly is an illustrious career for her. “When it comes to dealing with the personal lives of people — and in the business, in general — quality over quantity applies to every aspect of it.”
Interestingly, she immense gifts and talents through entrepreneurship have attracted a global presence, most notably in South Africa, Iran, Jamaica, Australia, Canada, Bermuda, Pakistan, and throughout an array of establishments across America.
“My personal mission is to be a bridge that others can cross on their journey to achieve success,” said O’Neal, adding that her three children have been amongst her grandest inspirations. “Not only do I want my own children to know that can achieve any goals they set in life, but I want to uplift entire communities through my work to help shape future generations into courageous leaders with strong moral character.”
To her credit, she has uplifted people from various walks of life for 20 years and counting.
Which, of course, for the record, Terry A. O’Neal could be appropriately described as one who is a Jill of all trades.
EDITOR’S NOTE:If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and former reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson is the former chief adjutant to Elder Andrew Jackson, Sr. of Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ. Based in Dallas, Texas, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division. To reach Johnson, call him at 901-690-6587 or send email to andre@makingheadlinenews.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
ABOUT ANDRE: Andre Johnson is a longtime sports journalist and a 2000 graduate of the University of the Memphis with Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. A native of Memphis, Johnson is a former sport reporter Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper and Memphis Sport Magazine. He worked as full-time staffer for The Commercial Appeal from 2000-2002, in which he was the beat reporter for the Memphis Houn’dawgs of now-defunct American Basketball Assocation and the Memphis Xplorers of the arenafootball2 league. He has interviewed numerous sports personalities, most notably Archie Manning, LeBron James, George “Iceman” Gervin, Issac Bruce, Laila Ali, Vince Carter, Paul Westphal, Phil Jackson, Ken Hamlin, Cortez Kennedy, Michael Oher, Kobe Bryant, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Patrick Willis, Stanley Morgan, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Mark Cuban, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, John Force, Lamar Odom, Alexandra Stevenson, Derek Fisher, Penny Hardaway, Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh, Tyreke Evans, Kirk Ferentz, and O. J. Mayo, among others. To reach Johnson, send email to: memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
Andre Johnson 
“Making sure all of my I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed is imperative,” said O’Neal, explaining how her competitive drive in life has propelled her for what undoubtedly is an illustrious career for her. “When it comes to dealing with the personal lives of people — and in the business, in general — quality over quantity applies to every aspect of it.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
