Episode Details

About Lamell McMorris: Dr. Lamell McMorris is a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of business, justice, and social impact, and the best-selling author of The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience. His work draws from his South Side Chicago roots to offer a practical, inspiring framework for turning challenges into purpose and momentum.

Building on the book’s mission, he hosts The Power to Persist podcast, where he speaks with changemakers and leaders about resilience, justice, and transformational leadership.

Dr. McMorris is the founder and CEO of Phase 2 Consulting, advising Fortune 100 executives, nonprofit leaders, and public sector decision-makers on aligning purpose with performance. He also founded Greenlining Realty® USA, a mission-driven development firm revitalizing underserved communities—including his childhood neighborhood of Woodlawn, Chicago.

He serves as Senior Vice Chair of the National Urban League Board of Trustees and sits on several nonprofit and academic boards, continuing his lifelong advocacy for civil, economic, and human rights.

With degrees from Morehouse College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Northeastern University, Dr. McMorris remains committed to advancing a movement of resilience—one that strengthens communities, empowers leaders, and inspires people to persist with purpose.

In this episode, Gary and Lamell McMorris discuss:

• How being fired at age 27 became the catalyst that redirected his life toward entrepreneurship and advocacy 
• What it really takes to break into lobbying with no connections, no political pedigree, and 40,000 competitors in Washington, D.C. 
• Why childhood exposure to policy, politics, and community leadership shaped his life’s calling