Together Strong: A Vision That Never Stopped Growing
Every Vision Has A Beginning
More than a decade ago, I founded Business Over Coffee International (BOCI) with one simple conviction: people are stronger when they come together.
BOCI united business professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, nonprofit leaders, civic officials, and community advocates around a shared mission of collaboration, professional development, leadership, and economic growth.
Through networking events, educational forums, and strategic partnerships, including initiatives connected with the University of Memphis, LeMoyne-Owen College, SunTrust Banks, and other community and corporate institutions; we created opportunities for people to learn from one another, develop meaningful relationships, and strengthen the communities they served.
What began as a professional networking organization soon grew into something much greater.More than a decade ago, I founded Business Over Coffee International (BOCI) with one simple conviction: people are stronger when they come together.
The Birth of Together Strong Day
The vision of BOCI expanded into Together Strong Day, a community initiative created to celebrate the power of unity, collaboration, and servant leadership.
In 2014, Together Strong Day received both Mayoral and Gubernatorial Proclamations, recognizing the importance of bringing diverse groups together to strengthen businesses, communities, and local leadership.
Observed annually on the first Thursday of December, Together Strong Day served as a reminder that lasting impact is rarely accomplished alone. Meaningful change is built through intentional partnerships, shared resources, collective wisdom, and a sincere commitment to serve others.
Looking back, I can clearly see that Together Strong was preparing me for what God would do next.
The Vision Evolves
Today, that same vision continues through Motes Jones & Company and MERGE, its ministry-in-the-marketplace subsidiary dedicated to “Merging Power With Purpose”through music, ministry, and the marketplace.
The methods have evolved, but the mission remains remarkably consistent.
What once focused primarily on connecting professionals has expanded into connecting:
- Purpose with people
- Ministry with the marketplace
- Creativity with calling
- Faith with everyday life
Through media, music, publishing, branding, leadership development, storytelling, and ministry, we continue creating platforms that encourage collaboration while pointing people toward Christ.
Networking has become discipleship.
Collaboration has become Kingdom partnership.
Business strategy has become ministry in the marketplace.
One Vision, Many Expressions
When I reflect on the journey from Business Over Coffee International to Together Strong Day, and from Motes Jones & Company to MERGE, I do not see a collection of separate initiatives.
I see one vision.
- A vision to bring people together
- To strengthen leaders
- To build communities
- To inspire purpose
- And above all, to glorify God
Some people call it networking.
I call it Kingdom collaboration.
Because when purpose brings people together, relationships are strengthened, communities are transformed, and lives are changed.
The vision never stopped growing:
- It evolved.
- It pivoted.
- It lives.
Sherri D. Motes Jones
Co-Founder, Motes Jones & Company
Senior Editor, MERGE
MERGE is a subsidiary of Motes Jones & Company