Photo courtesy of the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA)
This past week I had an opportunity to spend time at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, networking and learning or as Stephen Covey says, “sharpening the saw”. The Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration’s (CCOSA) Summer Conference 2023, Courageous Leadership (June 14-16), brought together over 1,400 passionate educators and administrators from across the state for a transformative event. Through insightful sessions, dynamic speakers, and interactive breakout sessions, participants were inspired to embrace bold initiatives, foster innovation, and champion positive change in the education system. The conference served as a catalyst for empowering leaders to navigate challenges with resilience and to help create a brighter future for Oklahoma’s schools.
While there were a wide variety of great professional learning opportunities and rich content offerings, I was particularly drawn to the Opening General Session and the presentation of the keynote speaker, Inquoris “Inky” Johnson, a former University of Tennessee football player and Atlanta, GA native. Inky’s leadership story is one of turning pain and tragedy into purpose. Admittedly, I’m partial to biographies, keynote presentations, and real-life stories that are grounded in inspirational leadership and overcoming challenges. They connect with people on a personal level to help us think and feel empathetically, to bring people together, and to envision a future we all want to be a part of and make real. His remarks had many salient points but one theme that stuck with me most was his commitment to, as he says, “finish the dream”.
Inky Johnson’s leadership story is one of unwavering determination, caring adults, and resilience in the face of adversity. A talented college football player destined for a potentially promising NFL career, his life took an unexpected turn during a game on September 9, 2006. A devastating tackle left him with a paralyzed right arm and ended his football dreams. Rather than succumbing to despair, Inky used this life-altering event as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation.
Inky’s leadership journey is marked by his ability to find strength in adversity. He didn’t allow his circumstances to define him; instead, he embraced a mindset of perseverance and unwavering faith. Through his powerful speeches and motivational talks, Inky inspires individuals to rise above their own challenges and to push past their perceived limits.
What sets Inky apart is his genuine authenticity and his ability to connect with others on a deep level. His humility and gratitude for life’s blessings shine through his words, touching the hearts of everyone who hears his story. Inky teaches us the importance of embracing our struggles, using them as fuel to propel us forward.
Inky Johnson’s leadership story serves as a reminder that true leaders are not defined by their accomplishments, but by their ability to inspire and uplift others. His unwavering spirit and determination to make a positive impact in the world make him a beacon of hope and a role model for aspiring leaders everywhere.
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” Elizabeth Kubler-Ross