Local Memphis/ Local Good News: How Conversations Led One Mid-South Man To Success

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) - We have conversations every day, right? Well, one Mid-South man has turned those conversations into several media businesses. Local 24 Anchor Katina Rankin has this local good news.    

Talk about a grassroots effort! This Mid-South young man has turned his love for reading into a southern empire. As president of Conversations Book Club and Editor-In-Chief of Conversations Magazine, Mississippi Native Cyrus Webb, has built a brand based on the power of words.

"I've always been a nerd. I mean that's just kind of always been my thing," said the Conversations Live Host.

Why books?    

"Most of the book clubs in Mississippi and around the South were not co-ed book clubs, so I started in 2006. I started a co-ed book club," said Webb.

For more than a decade, he has utilized his platform on the internet to build an online social media network with a simple message, "Feeding Your Love of Life." He took that message to the radio airways, and his show 'Conversations Live' now has more than one-million listeners online and reaches more than 250,000 households in the South. 

From a book club, to a magazine plus radio, Webb has caught the eye of Oprah and OWN TV.

"Oprah is Oprah, so her being from Mississippi that's someone I always respected," said Webb. "They actually use some of my tweets and posts in commercials. Now, I'm in talks with them about the digital platform they have there."

As if he has time to do more, Webb is also a visual and spoken word artist. He has written and/or co-written one dozen books including "Words I Choose to Live By," "Words They Choose to Live By," and the children's book "AJ and the Talent Show".

"Katina, raised here in Mississippi, no college education, no broadcast experience. And, I've been literally able to travel this country based on a God-given talent and purpose," said Webb.

Webb has this advice for those who are simply dreaming and not acting on their vision.

"Never let anyone tell you what you can't do. Just never believe it yourself. If you feel as though something was meant for you, hold on to that, because your gift will definitely make room for you," said Webb.

It's local good news.