Sam O’ Bryant named 40 Under 40 honoree

Sam O’ Bryant named 40 Under 40 honoree

Alcorn State University alumnus Sam O’ Bryant is making huge strides in his career.

The Greenwood, Mississippi native was named as an honoree for the Memphis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 for 2015. The Journal’s 40 Under 40 is an exclusive annual selection which lists up and coming leaders in Memphis, Tennessee.

O’ Bryant, who graduated from Alcorn in 2002, serves as deputy director for SchoolSeed, a public education foundation that functions as a key community engagement and fundraising partner for Shelby County schools in Memphis. His role includes the development of a speaker series, expansion of a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) recruitment fair, and publishing a family resource guide to inform parents of the various public school options.

O’ Bryant felt honored to have been recognized for his leadership and concern for the youth.

“I feel blessed to be recognized with this honor,” said O’ Bryant. “My work consists of helping communities, young people and students in particular. To be able to do meaningful, community building work and be recognized as a leader is a good feeling.”

O’Bryant is thankful for the influence of those who helped him matriculate through college for his success.

“My time at Alcorn, particularly in the Student Government Association, deserves much credit for this honor. I would also have to give credit to Ms. Brenda Buck for her vision and program planning as my greatest influence on how I create, secure funding for, and manage programs. She was a mix of an educator and motivational speaker that got the best out of everyone she worked with. Nearly every program I’ve done is somewhat modeled after her skills.”

This is the second 40 Under 40 award O’ Bryant has won. In 2010, he was recognized by the Arkansas Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 honoree for the work he did with youth programs and economic development at Pulaski County government in Little Rock, Arkansas.