Story & Lesson Highlights with Andrew Snorton

Andrew Snorton shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Andrew , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One of the more recent moments that made me laugh and feel proud took place on January 1-2, 2026.

I’m selected to cover the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, NC (Wake Forest vs Mississippi State) as I’m fortunate to cover college football. What made me laugh is the media day on the morning (yes, the MORNING) after New Year’s Eve!

I’m able to get multiple interviews done during the hour-plus allocated, but when I tell you my voice sounded horrible, it really did. While I didn’t have a sore throat, it sure sounded worse than a squeaky wheel, and when I played the interviews back, I had to chuckle at how my voice was going in and out in the same sentence.

However, the players from both teams who I interviewed took it in stride and all did a really good job in helping set a solid tone in just having a good conversation about their season, bowl week experience, and larger life lessons learned. Two of the interviews which really hit a little differently are with Wake’s Carlos Hernandez and Mississippi State’s Jacoby Jackson.

Covering the game made me feel proud as I started covering college football in 2019. The bowl game marked my 3rd one I’ve covered, and when I think of all the outlets that have been doing this longer or may be bigger, it’s a reminder that there’s something to being “dedicated to your craft”. As I’ve noted in my book “quotes and notes: something’s on the horizon”, it’s not always about the size of your platform, but understanding you have one. And to lead off the post-game press conference with the game MVP (Robby Ashford) just reminds me that it’s not by accident that I’m in these spaces and places, and really should be excited of the spaces and places I’ve yet to go.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
When it comes to what I do, I’m fortunate to say it’s an extension of who I am along with what I am passionate, proficient, and purposeful about.

As a published author, I’m blessed to have published 5 books since my debut in 2017 along with an audiobook series (5 audiobooks). Ranging from poetry (my most recent release “8 months of mercy: scenes with a social introvert” and “Deeper than your deepest sleep: thoughts on love with Joseph Snorton), think-piece/journaling (“quotes and notes: something’s on the horizon”), a snapshot of minor league baseball, its players, and some history of the Negro Southern League (“nothing Minor: a 2019 summer journey covering minor league baseball”), and stories of motivation/inspiration (“9 stories of faith: volume 1”) along with a spoken word/music experience via the audiobooks (#TheAuthorsMixtape (volumes 1-5), I’m fortunate to be a storyteller and engager of reading and listening. I’m blessed to have served as a featured speaker or author for events including (but not limited to) the Juneteenth Celebrations via The Hunt For Foundation in Lincoln, IL (2022=24), the Mississippi Book Festival (2017-19, 2022-23), the Carolinas International Book Fair in Greenville, SC (2025), along with events at the DuSable Museum in Chicago (2022), the Tubman Museum in Macon, GA, and multiple signings at bookstores and venues across the country, including Wake Forest University.

On the education end, I work mainly with middle and high school students. Ranging from in-person and virtual tutoring and coaching (across core and related subjects), ACT/SAT prep (including conducting workshops for schools and multiple nonprofits/community centered organizations), it’s all about helping students do the fine-tuning needed to unlock more of their potential and ability. It’s a thrill to do so and when I look at the range of schools students I’ve worked with are attending or have graduated from, including a solid array of HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) such as (but not limited to) Bowie State University and Morehouse College, to PWI’s (Predominantly White Institutions) such as (but not limited to) Georgia Tech and Wake Forest.

Likewise, on the press and media end, it’s a combination of being credentialed to cover multiple people and story ideas along with working with different entities and their engagement with traditional and contemporary media. Sports-wise, I cover and am credentialed for college football, professional ice hockey, professional bull-riding, HBCU baseball, and in 2025, official events with Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. The same holds true regarding political coverage (i.e. members of Congress) and other events. As for organizations and events I’ve worked with periodically as they connect with radio, television, print/online, and podcasting, the #AlphaDerbyWeekend, and Kris10 Kinder are among those whose stories I’m able to amplify in a positive and professional manner.

As I noted previously, being passionate, proficient, and purposeful is what is having me in the spaces and places I’m in, along with being prepared for the spaces and places I’ve yet to and am looking forward to being in.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My parents.

When I think about it, they’ve known me the longest (I’d sure hope so, LOL). They’re the ones who’ve seen me grow up, stumble, fall, pick myself back up, learn, keep it moving, continue to learn, and continue to grow. They provide sound insight and perspective on life in general, be it professional, community, personally, and faith-wise.

There are others who see and are seeing who I am as I am seeing and continuing to see myself, as we should be learning something new about ourselves each and every day as best as possible. I’m grateful to the truly good friends and people who are around me, speak to what I do, and lend the support and encouragement which helps me when I pause so I can get my bearings straight and keep going.

They know who they are and know that I am sincerely thankful and grateful for each and every one of you.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
It’s said losses teach you more than wins, and suffering can teach you more than succeeding.

The first thing that comes to mind is recalling how you FEEL when you do suffer or have a setback. Depending of the depth and degree, some things to fall off you like water from your raincoat, and there are times when things stick to you like glue.

Along with how I feel, another thing I’ve learned is perspective on it all. Each instance of suffering or setback does give you a sense of humility, so when you are successful, you don’t let it go to your head; you see it (success) as it is and while you should celebrate, you don’t want to overdo it.

You learn to have a level of sympathy and empathy for others when they are going through their rough sides of the mountain.

As painful an experience you may have, you realize there are others going through another level of turmoil to the point they’d rather trade places with you and take on your problems.

Think about that for a moment; as tough a situation or pain and suffering you are going through, someone would really rather be YOU? I mean, if that doesn’t give you perspective and focus on working through your pain and suffering, I don’t know what will or would.

And as a friend of mine shared (in an interview we did last year), it’s ok to move in inches. It means you are still moving forward and it’s a reminder each challenge or suffering experience has its own life; it takes its own time and while we’d prefer to go through it sooner than later, the goal is to get through it, learn from it, and continue to grow and flourish as fully as possible despite it.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief I am committed to is I have the capacity to bring about positive change, leave a positive footprint, and make the world a better place.

Granted, there are some things about the current landscape which are truly perplexing and are abhor-laden in so many ways, shapes, and forms. Before getting so caught up in things that are far beyond wrong and going down the rabbit hole that nothing can be done, I have to recall a quote from my book “quotes and notes: something’s on the horizon”.

You CAN do something WITH something.

It may not lead to immediate results, but it can motivate, encourage, and inspire others. You may be one or the voice in the wilderness crying, but when you think about the social change that has taken place, it started with one person’s conviction in doing what is right, even in the midst of chaos, disorder, and tom-foolery.

When I look at the topics covered in my books to working with students, or even reporting about the work of our nonprofits to even the opportunity to address the room or audience, it’s about seed-planting and the realm of possibility. While I may not be able to do everything through the lens of the work I do, I CAN do SOMETHING.

And something is better than nothing.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
The time I’m most at peace is in the morning.

When I wake up, I take time to pray and meditate. There’s times I’ll read the passage of the day from the Bible app, or I may look at the notes from the sermon and revisit a few things. When I do my walking (which I admittedly need to ramp back up), the combination of exercise and taking in nature does give me a sense of renewal and the energy burst to help me with my day.

I enjoy reading a good book (I’ll read other authors’ books in addition to mine, LOL with the shameless plug) to feed and clear my mind.

I also enjoy moments with one who is momentous.

Time spent with my immediate and extended family and close friends, along with the random conversation with someone I don’t know who acknowledges my humanity and vice-versa, I mean, those randomly peaceful moments truly are fun too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/authorasnorton
• Instagram: @authorasnorton
• Twitter: @authorasnorton
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/authorasnorton
• Youtube: @authorasnorton7387
• Other: linktr.ee/asnortonccs
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Image Credits
The All-Star Game photos is credited to EmoryRose Photography.
All other images are via Creative Community Solutions.