TWSE team
Willie Spears - Owner/Speaker
Meet Coach Spears
Willie Spears is a critically acclaimed keynote speaker, author, evangelist, and award-winning teacher and coach. Coach Spears has excited audiences with his energetic, relatable, and educational presentations. Through his social media presence including one video that has reached over 10 million views, weekly editorial, and fifteen books, Coach has become one of the country’s most sought-after speakers.
As founder of The Willie Spears Experience, Willie has added value to several successful organizations including The Southern Company, State Farm, Allen and Jean Millar Center in Alberta, Canada and hundreds of universities, schools, teams, and churches. Willie has been featured on CNN, FOX, HBO, ESPN, and several regional television stations.
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Coach's Journey
Willie has lived a most interesting life and uses his experiences to help others. Before earning a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in education he grew up playing sports, going to church, and dabbling in entertainment.
Willie has coached at the NCAA Division One and Division Two level, was Athletic Director of three high schools and Head Football Coach of seven high schools. Before becoming a coach, he worked for Disney Cruise Line as a comedian and entertainer.
Willie writes a weekly column for newspapers and has a podcast to encourage others. He volunteers for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
His strategies and principles have turned around schools and communities. His twenty years in education has served as prerequisites to motivate, inspire, and remind educators of their value and significance.
His time with Disney has given him great perspective on how successful business grow and flourish. Willie has a team of researchers who aide him in preparing tailored presentations for Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses.
Willie’s life experiences have uniquely gifted him to relate to any audience. These life experiences combined with his gift of storytelling have audiences walking away inspired, encouraged, and empowered to improve and impact others in a positive way.
Tanika Spears-- Owner/Public Relations
Tanika Spears is a certified counselor and teacher, a motivator, and an occasional speaker. She has spoken to church youth groups, prison inmates, schools, teachers, and individuals through The Willie Spears Experience and in her job as a teacher and counselor.
Tanika is originally from Panama City, Florida, where she graduated a year before Willie from Rutherford High School in 1995. She then attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) where she earned a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree with a minor in Juvenile Justice prior to earning her Master's in Education. Tanika served as a mentor in several Florida schools while in college and she continues this adventure to date.
For TWSE, she manages the flow of information between the company and the public.
Tanika currently resides in Panama City Beach, FL with her husband Willie and their two children Tayelor and Kenneth.
Kim Adams Graham
Kim Adams Graham
Kim Adams Graham
Kim Graham is the publisher of the Union Springs Herald in Union Springs. Alabama. Ms. Graham is the recipient of several awards including an award for community service given by the Bullock County branch of the NAACP. Kim is the author of three books, actress in her local community theater, Sunday School teacher and owner of several bu
Kim Graham is the publisher of the Union Springs Herald in Union Springs. Alabama. Ms. Graham is the recipient of several awards including an award for community service given by the Bullock County branch of the NAACP. Kim is the author of three books, actress in her local community theater, Sunday School teacher and owner of several businesses.
For The Willie Spears Experience Kim is executive editor and promotional coordinator.
Donte Sheppard
Kim Adams Graham
Kim Adams Graham
Donte Sheppard is a 2011 graduate of the University of West Florida. He is a former teacher and high school and college football coach. He is currently Coordinator of Visit Experience for the University of West Florida, and an ordained minister at his church where he serves the church and community.
For the Willie Spears Experience, Dont
Donte Sheppard is a 2011 graduate of the University of West Florida. He is a former teacher and high school and college football coach. He is currently Coordinator of Visit Experience for the University of West Florida, and an ordained minister at his church where he serves the church and community.
For the Willie Spears Experience, Donte provides speaking ideas and data. Donte is a dynamic speaker in his own right and lends his talents to TWSE in an effort to add value to the lives of others.
Crystal Mills
Kim Adams Graham
Crystal Mills
Crystal Mills coordinates the operations of The Willie Spears Experience. She manages the information between the company and the public. Crystal resides in Arcadia, Oklahoma with her husband, Denny, and their three children Cole, Jace and Ella.
TWSE Awards & Honors
2022
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Upsilon Alpha Alpha Chapter
Founder's Day Program Community Service Award
2017
"Celebrating 50 Years of Integration"
First African American Athletic Director/First African American Head Football Coach in the History of the County (Washington County)
2016
Judos Community Service Award
2015
Rookie Teacher of the Year (Vernon High School)
2014
Honored by the NAACP (Panama City, FL)
Featured in African American Cultural Center (Panama City, FL)
2013
District 1 Class 6A Coach of the Year, Florida Athletic Coaches Association (Escambia High)
Teacher of the Year finalist in local school (Escambia High)
Florida Athletic Coaches Association Regional Coach of The Year
2012
Teacher of the Year finalist in local school (Escambia High)
2009
Hall of Fame NWOSU as Members of 1999 National Championship Team
Big Bend Coach of The Year (Tallahassee Democrat)
Florida Athletic Coaches Association Regional Coach of The Year
4quartersonline.com Coach of The Year
