The last two months have been a complete joyride for me. Just about a month ago I appeared on the Walmart Radio Show that was broadcast LIVE from the Walmart Home Office in Bentonville, AR. I cohosted the show with Bo Woloszyn and my wife got to join me too! This was just the beginning. More things have come over the last few weeks.
I expressed my Walmart story just a few blogs back here on my website. My how things have changed and are so much different than I would have thought just a few years ago. In this short time I have appeared on Walmart Radio, featured in our local Academy’s monthly newsletter, and will appear in Walmart World Magazine. This has all been surreal to me. God has been working through my colleagues to bless me.
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Ever since I joined this group of Walmart Ambassadors and Social Media Influencers, I have gained so much knowledge and understanding for our company’s goals and what they are looking for in the future. I have networked with many associates from the field and the Home Office. I have built great relationships with them and they have blessed me in return with advice and help. I could never pay them back in full.
I’ve also been busy in the media world with a few videos produced for a friend who passed away and for a local school working with the Library of Congress. Below are a few of those videos that I have worked on.
I am thrilled that things are starting to pick up for me and my family. My next job will hopefully be announced next week. I have applied for a position at the Walmart Academy to help teach the next leaders of our stores. I hope that you will lift me up in prayer that this position will open up to me and allow me to continue my growth with Walmart. This is something that I have thought about doing for some time and would be great for my family.
So as this year continues to move forward, I hope that you will join me in this new adventure.
In this report, Hillcrest High School Teacher Randy Story talks about his students interviews with local veterans. With support from fellow staff and Principal Mickel Smith, these interviews will be submitted to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, to be preserved for future generations.
In August of 2018, I began a new journey into the social media world as the Social Media Champion for Walmart Store #18 in Newport, Arkansas. Boy was I not expecting the changes that would come. I’ve been able to make contacts I had never thought possible, have a voiceover featured on Walmart Radio, have a call with Greg Foran our President of Walmart US, have photos I’ve taken featured in Walmart World Magazine, and so many other great experiences. It has truly been an incredible eight months of being an Assistant Store Manager. God has blessed me more than I could imagine.
My first photo of @Walmart0018 on Instagram and was featured in Walmart World. This photo was a SUPER Spark in the #SparkChallenge campaign launched by Jeff “Surge” Berg, a Walmart Academy Facilitator in Oklahoma.
Now leading up to this moment has not been an easy road, because with every success there must be hard work and hard times. You see, it’s been an interesting journey in this career of mine. I started out with Walmart as a Receiving Associate in April 2012 at Store #128 in Jonesboro, AR. I was in that position for around 30 days and promoted to Asset Protection Associate in May 2012 in the same store. I was riding on cloud nine! God had truly set me up for success and was working in my life. I couldn’t be happier. I helped save that store tens of thousands of dollars in potential theft. I developed a great working relationship with my supervisor, who is still a close friend to this day.
My former AP Manager, Misty Angel, whom I consider a sister. My wife and I appreciate her friendship so much.
On June 26, 2013 I received a call from my Market Asset Protection Manager (MAPM) extending a job offer of the Asset Protection Manager position at Store #91 in Forrest City, AR. After two previous interviews, one of which I completely bombed, I thought this day wouldn’t come. However, after much prayer and struggling to put it into God’s hands, I finally did give it to Him. After that moment, I felt that peace and understood that this day would come. This job was an amazing birthday gift. That next month I began training with my former supervisor and would transition fully into my new store in September. I pushed hard to make my new store a turn around store and reduce shrink.
My love for Walmart continued and showed in my work, so much so that at the end of 2013 I received an email from an editor of Walmart World Magazine wanting to share my story. Unfortunately I could never get my MAPM to sign off on permission to do so, nothing I currently hold against him. When our inventory came and went, our shrink numbers went down and again I was soaring on cloud nine. Our associates had done something a few of them didn’t believe we could do. I was so proud of them. Looking back I know I made some mistakes in communication, follow up, and execution, but with some patience, they taught me so much I can look back on and appreciate.
The last management photo of me and my peers at Store #91. Not long after this photo was taken, Store Manager Matt Figgins (pictured bottom left) departed. I also would leave five months later.
After some trials that put me questioning God’s plan and why I was facing the demons I was, I transferred to Store #62 in Blytheville, AR. This was not something that I had planned for my career. The experience that lead to my departure from Store #91, was not enjoyable. I was angry, sad, depressed, and unsure of what was next for me. Was Walmart going to be my career? I moved back in with my mom in Walnut Ridge, AR, I was not in good mind. I was struggling daily because of the things that happened to me; trying to understand why. I knew that this new store would provide a new foundation to build on and leave the negative experiences in the past. I know now that God knew what He was doing.
When I arrived at Store #62, I found a friend who was a God fearing man and people person. Store Manager Greg Ricker was just the person I needed to help keep my faith in what I felt was a daily struggle to keep my job. I knew that God brought me here for a reason. Greg made me feel at home. He helped to boost my confidence back up. Enough so I began to form great friendships with store associates, some of which still exist today. My first Regional AP Director visit in this store was something I had prepared for, since I arrived. My first visit was a good one. Our RAPD gave me some great advice and saw the great progress I was helping to make in the store. I felt vindicated.
A photo taken by my former AP Associate Mia from Store #62. She thought I looked like something from Dexter.
Our store associates deserved all the credit, because all I did was help teach and train, they executed the process. I had great AP Associates, Department Managers, Assistant Managers who all worked to make our shrink go down. Yet things changed again. It seemed the demons I had turned over to God had arrived again. Store Manager Greg would depart and it felt like it all went downhill from there. So much of the pain I thought was gone came rushing back. The negative experiences were too much for me to handle. In April 2016 I met with my MAPM and told him I was done, I wanted to step down. After a few weeks of searching, I stepped down to an Overnight Support Manager at Store #57 in Walnut Ridge, AR. It was not something I had planned for me, considering at one point I was applying to be a MAPM.
Now the low point in this story is not to cast Walmart in a bad light, but to show that bad things can happen to good people. Or was it bad? You see in January of 2016, while I was still at Store #62, I began talking to my future wife. We were high school sweethearts. It was like we had picked up where we had left off. I began to understand as time went by that the experiences I had were to get me where God wanted me to be. I had forgotten that I submitted my life to Him in 2001 and rededicated in 2012. If I had stayed in that role at Store #91, I would have never got back together with my now wife. Those experiences led me back to Christ, and in turn led me to her.
My Wife and I in our home.
After two years of working to come back to days, amongst the living as I liked to joke, I transferred to Day Support Manager. I had received an exceeds on my evaluation and kept pushing forward. Now enters Bryan Venson. Bryan promoted from Store #71 in Pocahontas, AR to be a new Assistant Manager at Store #57. Bryan eventually found out about my previous experience and began dropping hints that I should apply for the Assistant Manager program. I flat out refused several times. I explained the story of my journey, and he understood. Looking back I think God was speaking through him.
At first I had a bad taste in my mouth about being a salaried manager again. I didn’t want to go through those experiences again. After much consideration and talking with my now fiancee, I applied. I went home and prayed one time. I prayed that if it was God’s will, that He open that door, then I let it go. My store manager, Kari Shanks, who had been supportive of my volunteer efforts in the community and drive to make the store better, was puzzled why I didn’t let her know I was interested. I put it pretty bluntly to her, sorry Kari, that I had not intention of getting promoted, but if it was God’s will then so be it. She told me that she had to evaluate my work and submit it to the Market team for review. After their review and a screening interview, to see if an associates ready for the selection event, they sent me through. I couldn’t believe I was making the step forward. I for sure thought this day wouldn’t ever come back around.
A post I made highlighting the efforts I made at Store #57. This one effort helped to bring special parking spaces for wounded veterans.
I went to the Regional Selection Event and sat through several round tables and a final panel interview with a Market Manager, Market HR Manager, and Store Manager from the Little Rock market. I got some amazing feedback from them and knew that God had some amazing things still in store for me. After coming back from the event, I had time to reflect and start to piece things together that I have mentioned in this story. I knew I would get it, I just prayed it was a store that was close to home. That Wednesday I got a call from our Market HR Manager informing me I had been selected. After six weeks of training at the Walmart Academies in Poplar Bluff, MO and Searcy, AR I finally arrived at Store #18 in Newport, AR as an Assistant Store Manager.
My promotion party cake from the associates at Store #57. Many of these associates remembered me from my first time with Walmart in 2007.
At this point of the story you’ve probably asked yourself, why did I continue and not look for other employment? Well the answer to that question is, I did. Several times. However, God closed those doors because He had me right where I was needed. I learned through my experiences that it wasn’t Walmart that caused the experiences I had endured, but people. The company gave me several opportunities that many employers wouldn’t and couldn’t give. Walmart entrusted me with the financial responsibility of now four stores. Walmart offered training at their expense to help make me a better servant leader. Walmart helped to support many non-profits I work with, Wings of Honor Museum, Beatles at the Ridge Music Festival (Downtown Walnut Ridge Inc.), and now Hoxie The First Stand (Civil Rights Museum non-profit), and so many more!
Walmart did not shut me out when I raised concerns, they allowed me to use the open door policy without fear of retaliation. They offered transparency, consistent communication, and the resources I needed. They helped to build back my self confidence, work towards my goals, do what was important to me, and explore new avenues. No other employer that I have worked for has allowed such freedom. No other company have I worked for, has the people of our stores and communities felt like a family. This freedom allowed me to be open and honest with our associates and help them through their personal and work related struggles.
Mrs. Shirley epitomizes #IHeartWalmart everyday with the love she shows her customer and fellow associates. I look forward to her smile everyday.
Walmart has helped me to see how many great people make up our company. I could not imagine where I would be had I not experienced the things I had over the last few years. I know I would not be the leader I am today, nor the person. I look forward everyday to seeing the smiles of our customers and associates. God knew what He was doing when He allowed these experiences to happen to me. Do I hold grudges against those do tried to do me wrong? No. In the long run, they helped to make me stronger, build a relationship, and discover myself again. If I had the chance to go back and change things, I wouldn’t. Through the last twelve months I have fell in love with Walmart all over again.
Me posing with our store brand product as a part of #NationalPeanutButterDay posts on Instagram and Facebook.
I have a great support group at Store #18 with my fellow associates and managers, the Home Office, and beyond. Zachary Lones, our Director of Local Social and Walmart World, has been a huge supporter and guide in this new world of digital marketing. He has helped shape me by his daily insight into leadership, marketing strategy, and social media presence. Walmart made the right decision bringing him into the fold as the head of our social media programs. My hope for the next year or two is to continue this growth and maybe end up at the Home Office. I know with God’s guidance and people like Misty, Greg, Bryan, and Zachary, I will continue to succeed and grow. Showing the world that #IHeartWalmart.
-Terrence
***The opinions of this blog do not represent the position or values of Walmart Inc., nor do they officially endorse this blog or website. The opinions stated are that of the writer, and the writer alone. Images used as a part of the commentary of this blog implies no ownership by it’s use. All images belong to their respective copyright holders.
For as long I can remember I have always had a love for history. Whether it was US history, state history, or local history, I’ve always wanted to know more. Since 2016 I’ve been on a mission to uncover lost and untold stories of local history. It started with one interview in May of 2016. An interview with Morris H. Holloway, a Pharmacist’s Mate 2nd Class, changed everything up to that point. Mr. Holloway’s story ignited a need in me to capture more account to of those who served in the armed forces. It eventually led to my first award winning film.
Theatrical poster of Arkansas Valor – Raymond Clark. A Lake City resident who was at D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, and several other major events in WWII.
It made me ecstatic that Mr. Clark’s story would be seen all over the country and two foreign countries. I was on top of the world. Up to this point, I had a Nikon D3200 camera and a 3.5mm lavalier microphone. I was able to use a camera, made for taking photos, to capture an awe inspiring story that led to an award. Most media and film people will tell you, that’s not what you should be using. It was all I had. No funding, no donations, it was all volunteer work. So I kept pushing forward.
“So I kept pushing forward.”
In that push forward, I was able to secure another film festival win for another veteran film. I knew I was on to something. Fast forward two years and I’ve produced over ten documentaries, highlighting veterans. I recently updated my equipment to a 4K Digital Camcorder, new lights, new lavalier mic system, and a new approach. With this new investment I am able to produce a better film. This investment means rediscovered or untold history can be preserved for future generations.
After filming my last Veteran, retired Lt. Col. Lloyd Clark, I knew there was another story to tell. The story of Hoxie’s 1955 integration. With my new tools, that story could be retold for today’s generation. So in January I met with Hoxie The First Stand, a nonprofit, and received the support of the committee and the school board. The path to retelling this catalyst moment in civil rights history, had been opened.
Ethel Tompkins recalls a moment during her time at Hoxie in 1955.
As I type this now, there are three individuals who have told me their stories. Stories of perseverance, love, and forgiveness. People like Ethel Tompkins have shared the unadulterated truth behind Hoxie’s 1955 integration. I am excited to capture her story, and many like her, who are willing to share those memories. These are accounts that will give younger generations a glimpse into the past. An understanding of the progress made for them.
“We must never forget.”
Production on this film, ‘Right In The Sight Of God’, is set to be wrapped up by the end of 2019. It’s my hope that you will watch these films and it will spark and interest in you to capture the memories of an aging generation. To preserve what they’ve accomplished for our children. Their experiences and actions helped pave the way for so many of us. So we must never forget.
HOXIE, AR (T. WARD MEDIA) – In the summer of 1955 a small town in Northeast Arkansas would find itself at the center of national attention. But before that we must look back to the event leading up to integration. In 1954 the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Brown in Brown v. Board of Education, officially ending segregation in public schools. Two schools in Arkansas would integrate following the decision before Hoxie. However, the reason for so much attention on Hoxie is on July 25, 1955 LIFE Magazine paid the school a visit. Just 14 days after the school board voted unanimously to integrate the colored school.
LIFE Magazine Cover and photo featuring Hoxie School Integration
This issue highlighted the schools compliance with the recent Supreme Court decision. It showed that even in southern America, integration was happening without issue. Unfortunately for this small town of less than 2000 residents, almost 400 segregationists would descend on Hoxie and make a stand. Segregationist leaders tried to intimidate, harass, and threaten school board leaders for their stand on integration. Their threats would alarm citizens and faculty alike. The threats of violence from segregationists alarmed parents enough, that several students were kept from school; not for reasons of integration itself. It would ultimately lead to the school filing a Federal Lawsuit against the segregationist groups, after the Governor’s Office refused to get involved.
Hoxie School District v. Herbert Brewer, et al. Complaint (Courtesy: DocsTeach.org)
In November of 1955, Federal District Judge Thomas C. Trimble ruled that segregationists had “planned and conspired” to prevent integration at Hoxie Public School, and he issued a temporary restraining order against the segregationists. A court hearing to make an injunction against the segregationists permanent was held in just one month later. This court case has been reference in court opinions since 1955 as a means to enforce civil rights laws across the nation.
Mr. Jim Green, a seventh grader during the 1955 integration.
Now the story brings us to today. The story of Hoxie’s 1955 integration has largely been forgotten by the American people. The lives of black Americans has greatly been improved due to legislation and activism for civil rights. In 2019, children of all races, colors, and creeds can get an education without worrying about segregation. This story is being retold by first hand accounts of students, faculty, and citizens of Hoxie. Retold so that the progress made by the School Board and the citizens of Hoxie will never be forgotten. Retold in the newest film from T. Ward Media, ‘Right In The Sight Of God’, set to release in 2020.
Ms. Ethel Tompkins, a 7th grade student of the Hoxie Colored School in 1955, shares a smile in a still shot from the upcoming film ‘Right In The Sight Of God’.
For more information on Hoxie School’s integration of 1955, click HERE.
SHERWOOD, AR (T. WARD MEDIA) – Main Event Pro Wrestling, based in Texas, makes its debut in the Natural State, April 6, 2019. Tonight at 6pm their official Facebook page posted a video, that promoted the event. This regional promotion has operated in the ArkLaTex region for a few years, and is known for packing out their venues. This is largely due in part to the variety of athletes they use for their LIVE Events, heavy promoting, and a social media campaign. Yes, its right say that pro-wrestling is returning to Arkansas.
Yet this isn’t just a wrestling show, its a reunion. Action Jackson, tag team partner of Big Daddy Yum Yum and the Tag Team Champions, is a native of Arkansas. Jackson graduated from Sylvann Hills High School in 2005. As an alumni of Sylvann Hills, Jackson hopes to bring back to his alma mater through the Boo The Bully Program. This program features Jackson and his tag team partner, along with other Main Event Pro Wrestling Superstars, who visit local schools. During their visits, they talk about the importance of respecting one another, what action to taken when they or someone they know is being bullied, and how to improve their lives at home and school.
Pictured left to right: Action Jackson, Big Daddy Yum Yum, and Matt Justyce.
The April 6th event will not only plan to bring the best in pro wrestling to Arkansas, but raise money for the Sylvann Hills High School Wrestling Team. As with most Main Event shows, it is expected to be a capacity crowd with no let down on the entertainment. For more information on Main Event Pro Wrestling, follow them online at http://www.maineventprowrestling.com and social media @OfficialMEPW. Did you miss the video from tonight? Watch it below!
