From the First Black Miss Alabama to TED Talk Coach: The Power of Storytelling with Toni Purry
What do you do when the world keeps telling you no?
If you’re Toni Purry, you keep showing up until the door opens—and then you hold it open for everyone behind you.
I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Toni Purry on my podcast, Carrie On!, and let me just say: you’re going to want to hit play on this one.
Toni is a powerhouse. She’s an award-winning PR strategist, TEDx speaker, author of My Hype Book, the Founder of Shaping Narrative™, and the highly acclaimed speaker development coach behind Ready for Ted™—an eight-week experience helping women craft their signature talks and claim their space on powerful stages.
But before all that? Toni was a determined college student trying to pay her tuition… and she ended up making history as the first Black Miss Alabama USA!
From Pageants to PR Powerhouse
Toni’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a blueprint for what resilience, purpose, and vision really look like.
She shared how, after competing (and losing) in seven different pageants, she finally won on her eighth try, shattering a 72-year-old glass ceiling and becoming the first African American woman to wear the Miss Alabama USA crown.
But that victory wasn’t just about the title. It was the beginning of her calling to help women find their voices, take up space, and lead with confidence.
What’s Holding You Back?
(Spoiler: It’s Probably Not What You Think)
One of the most powerful things Toni shared is that even the most successful women—C-suite execs, bestselling authors, thought leaders—still struggle with confidence. It’s not about talent or experience. It’s about self-trust.
“Confidence is a muscle,” she says. “You’ve got to work it.”
That’s what led her to create My Hype Book—a guided journal to help women take inventory of their wins and rewrite the limiting narratives we’ve internalized.
The 4 B’s of Narrative Power
Toni broke down her approach to reframing the stories we’ve been told (or told ourselves) with her Four B’s:
Be Curious – Where did this belief come from?
Be Scrutinizing – Is this actually true?
Be Willing to Reject – If it doesn’t serve you, let it go.
Be Optimistic – There is a truth out there that aligns with you.
This method isn’t just for PR—it’s for life. It’s how we step into our voice, our power, and our purpose.
Coming Soon: Amplify Her Voice
In 2026, Toni is launching Amplify Her Voice, a new live storytelling platform that gives women space to tell their truths and be celebrated. Think The Moth meets Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday—but unapologetically created for and by women who are done being quiet.
Want to Share Your Story on Stage?
Toni’s signature program, Ready for Ted™, is designed for women who are ready to craft a compelling talk and share their message with the world—whether on a TEDx stage, at a conference, or anywhere bold voices are needed.
And here’s what I love about her approach: It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real.
Through values mapping, storytelling, and clarity coaching, Toni helps women build a talk rooted in:
What you stand for (values)
What you know deeply (expertise)
What you’ve lived (stories)
Sprinkle in a dash of confidence—and boom, that’s your signature talk.
My Favorite Takeaway
If there’s one thing I want you to walk away with, it’s this:
Your story matters.
Someone is waiting to hear it.
Don’t talk yourself out of sharing it.
Confidence isn’t reserved for the loudest person in the room—it’s built one brave decision at a time.
So ask yourself:
What could shift if you gave yourself permission to speak up?
If you’ve ever dreamed of giving a TEDx talk, starting a podcast, or even just speaking with more confidence in your business—start here. Toni’s work is transformational, and I’m proud to share her brilliance with the Carrie On community.
Watch our full conversation on YouTube. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Leave a comment and let me know what part of Toni’s story lit you up.
Learn more about My Hype Book and Ready for Ted™.
Until next time, keep your head above the chaos and carry on.
xo,
Carrie
