Rising Stars: Meet Terrell Sumpter of Dallas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrell Sumpter.

Hi Terrell, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Philadelphia, a city that shaped my resilience, sharpened my instincts, and instilled a deep sense of drive. My journey hasn’t been easy , but every experience, setback, and breakthrough has prepared me to become the man I am today.

I lost my mother at a young age after her hard-fought battle with cancer. She was deeply rooted in faith, known for her compassion and strength. Her passing left a deep void, but her presence never left me. Her example taught me the power of serving others and staying grounded in something greater than yourself.

After her death, I moved between homes, eventually staying with my aunt in North Philadelphia. She helped me get back on track with school, and during that time, I found a sense of peace at the local PAL Center , a place where I could escape the chaos and feel like a kid again. My oldest brother also played a pivotal role in raising me, instilling wisdom and responsibility that would later serve as anchors in my life. Years later, after time apart, we reconnected during a four-hour Greyhound bus ride. He reminded me that while life would test me, I had what it took to make it through.

Despite the support, I struggled. Like many young men growing up in under-resourced communities, I made poor decisions that led to difficult encounters with the justice system. The consequences were real. But my turning point came during my adult years when I moved to Florida. I was ready to make better choices , but one night, being in the wrong place at the wrong time changed everything. After a frustrating encounter with a local officer, I found myself incarcerated miles away from home.

At first, I tried to find a way out. But in time, I realized I needed to find a way inward. A Muslim brother at the facility pulled me aside one day and said, “Young man, you stand out. Don’t be like these jitterbugs.” That moment stayed with me. I started reading Our Daily Bread, journaling every day, and slowly rebuilding a relationship with my faith and with myself.

A powerful moment came when a guest visited the correctional facility , a man who had served 30 years and now traveled the country sharing his story. He spoke about grace, change, and reclaiming your future. He also led prison ministry programs across the U.S., reminding us all that redemption was possible. That day planted a seed: I wanted to do the same. I wanted to pour into people who felt forgotten, stuck, or misunderstood , just like I once did.

When I returned home, I began a new chapter rooted in personal development. I leaned into leadership training, mentorship, and learning. That growth journey took me through Florida, then Texas, where I now reside. I’ve led workshops, mentored youth, and spoken to audiences across the country , always with the intent to help people grow through what they go through.

More recently, I’ve expanded my work into the mental wellness space. Because true development isn’t just about mindset , it’s also about healing. Through digital platforms, community conversations, and intentional spaces, I create room for others to reflect, feel seen, and take ownership of their future.

I founded The Inspire Before We Expire not just as a brand, but as a movement. One rooted in resilience, gratitude, and transformation. My mission is to be a bridge , helping others shift their perspective, reclaim their story, and rise with purpose.

This journey has taught me that while life doesn’t always play fair, we still have a choice in how we respond. No matter where you start or what you’ve been through, your story is still unfolding. And sometimes, it’s the broken places that give us the strongest voice to help someone else rise.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all and honestly I would not want it to be. The road was uneven but it taught me how to walk with purpose.

The most difficult challenges were not always external but internal battles. Learning to process grief after losing my mother at a young age. Learning to trust again after betrayal, disappointment, and losing close friends to violence. I have had to sit with shame, navigate self-doubt, and rebuild my self-worth from the inside out.

There were moments where I questioned everything, my path, my purpose, even my place in the world. I was not just trying to escape bad environments; I was trying to escape the weight I carried inside. That kind of growth does not come from surface-level change. It takes hard conversations with yourself, deep reflection, and a willingness to face what hurts so you can heal from it.

What helped me most was surrounding myself with truth through meaningful conversations, faith, mentorship, and the real-life lessons that come from facing challenges head-on. Eventually I found purpose in mentoring others, turning my pain into a platform to help people find their own breakthroughs.

So no, the road was not smooth. But it made me strong, and more importantly, it made me lean into my faith a lot more. It taught me how to lead with compassion, listen without judgment, and show up for others in ways I once needed for myself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is rooted in purpose, healing, and transformation. It is not about titles or services. It is about helping people rise from where they are, especially those who have felt counted out, silenced, or overlooked. I have dedicated my life to creating space for individuals to reclaim their identity, reconnect with their worth, and walk in purpose with intention.

At the center of it all is a deep commitment to personal development and mental wellness. I have lived through what many are still trying to survive — grief, injustice, hardship, and the weight of uncertainty. These experiences did not define me, but they refined me. They shaped my understanding of how essential healing is to growth and why we must build from within.

Through The Inspire Before We Expire, I have launched more than a platform. It is a movement that encourages people to grow through what they go through. Whether I am speaking to youth within justice-centered programs, engaging professionals in leadership spaces, or sharing messages through digital community, the mission remains the same: to remind people of what is still possible, even in the face of pain or adversity.

What I am most proud of is not just how far I have come, but how I have remained grounded through the process. My mother’s love and faith continue to live through me. Her compassion and strength still guide how I lead and serve. The setbacks I have faced did not break me. They taught me how to bend, how to pause, and how to continue moving forward with grace.

What makes my work different is that it does not come from theory. It comes from lived experience. I understand what it means to fight for peace of mind. I understand what it means to want to feel seen. I do not show up to impress. I show up to serve. I do not just speak about hope. I help people find their way back to it.

What’s next?
Looking ahead, I’m committed to expanding the reach of my work in a way that truly meets people where they are. One of my main focuses is building the Mental Health Matters platform, taking it from a digital presence to a live experience. The goal is to create safe, transformative spaces in real time where people can gather, share, heal, and grow together. This is not just about awareness; it is about action and access.

We are moving from conversation to community, from screens to rooms where real change can take place. The impact is already growing, and the vision is to bring these experiences across cities, working alongside schools, youth programs, justice-centered organizations, and communities that need it most.

I am also incredibly grateful for my work with the Boys and Girls Club, where I teach the fundamentals of podcasting to the next generation, showing them how to use their voice with authenticity and power. It is about equipping young leaders with tools to tell their stories and take ownership of their future.

Personally, I am leaning deeper into my faith, continuing to grow, write, and stay grounded in the mission. Purpose does not pause and neither do I.

I love to see people come together, especially in times like these, to learn, grow, and support one another. Building spaces, whether digital or live, where connection and healing happen is more important than ever. This sense of community fuels everything I do and inspires me to keep pushing forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrell444/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rell-sumpter-96983776
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-inspire-before-we-expire-show/id1056354307