Inspired and encouraged by the Teach For America educators who instructed her years ago, Destany Story credits TFA for her passion and commitment to education.

“This was my first experience where I had teachers who really cared more about me than just my education,” she said.

Story graduated from Mississippi State University with her degree in psychology in 2018. Upon graduating, Destany not only returned home to Memphis, but also returned to her alma mater Power Center Academy High School where she taught Special education during her time as a TFA Memphis corps member.

“I simply couldn't imagine giving back to any other community other than the one that molded me into the woman I am today,” Story said.

While at Mississippi State University, she founded a support group called Wonder Women and Wisdom to empower young women to be ambitious. She later transitioned this program to Power Center Academy as a freshman success program. Providing spaces for black women to learn, grow and thrive continues to drive Destany on her path of purpose.

Destany now serves as the Program Director for Women Empowering Nations, a non-profit founded by TFA Tulsa Alum, Carlisha Bradley. Women Empowering Nations provides exposure, development and mentorship for girls of color in underserved communities to grow global leaders to accelerate their path to executive leadership.

WEN's vision is to develop more confident black women leaders to be equipped and resourced to lead organizations, businesses, schools and agencies domestically and internationally. WEN works to contribute to a society where women leaders of color will no longer be viewed as the exception to the rule in executive leadership but as relevant assets and necessary additions to organizations globally.

This year Women Empowering Nations hosted the inaugural Girls Leading Our World Global Cohort from March through May 2022. The cohort was a high-impact leadership coaching experience that featured women executives from diverse backgrounds in entrepreneurship and leadership, who led workshops exploring career development, public speaking, professional branding and executive leadership. WEN and Cantu Beauty chose 50 global leaders ages 17 - 23 from six different countries (United States, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, United Kingdom, and France) to participate in the Global Cohort. They gained valuable leadership experience and business insight from Black women executives. During the selection process, Destany reviewed more than 1,560 applicants and had the pleasure of awarding this opportunity to two other young Memphis natives.

Concluding the cohort experience, WEN selected 11 out of 50 cohort members to participate in a hands-on four-month fellowship. The fellowship took place from July- October and included monthly sessions with Cantu executives where they learned all the different components of building a successful business in the beauty industry.

Fellowship members participated in monthly sessions with Cantu executives while receiving 1:1 Executive Coaching. This fellowship was a paid experience that concluded with an all-expense paid travel seminar to Accra, Ghana this past November. The travel seminar included a brand promotion shoot for Cantu, a community service project, and a capstone presentation to Cantu executives.

“TFA Memphis has inspired and rooted so many of my passions from my first day as a freshman in high school. If it weren't for those corps members who instilled such passion and love in me as a student, I wouldn't be the leader I am today.”