Dr. Lamell McMorris is a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of business, justice, and social impact—and the author of The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience. In his debut book, Dr. McMorris shares the mindset and habits that fueled his rise from Chicago’s South Side to the national stage, offering readers a practical blueprint for turning challenges into opportunities and pressure into purpose.

Building on the book’s mission, he launched The Power to Persist podcast, where he sits down with changemakers, leaders, and innovators for candid conversations on resilience, justice, and transformative leadership. Each episode delivers real stories and actionable insights designed to help listeners navigate obstacles and lead with impact.

Beyond the page and the mic, Dr. McMorris is the founder and CEO of Phase 2 Consulting, a Washington, D.C.–based firm advising Fortune 100 executives, nonprofit leaders, and public sector decision-makers on aligning purpose with performance. He is also the founder of Greenlining Realty USA, a national mission-driven development firm revitalizing communities across the U.S.—starting with his own childhood neighborhood of Woodlawn, Chicago. Greenlining partners with local municipalities to create mixed-use developments that deliver large-scale economic impact and revitalize underserved areas.

As a lifelong advocate of civil, economic, and human rights, Dr. McMorris serves on numerous nonprofit and college boards and volunteers with several youth-focused and mentoring organizations. He is frequently recognized for his entrepreneurial leadership and pragmatic, high-impact approach to advocacy and is often invited to speak at conferences and events nationwide.

Dr. McMorris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Society from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity in Social Ethics and Public Policy from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University. Guided by the belief that persistence isn’t just how you keep going—it’s how you create lasting change—he continues to use his platform to inspire others to rise, lead, and persist.