Written by: Travis Kendrick McCray, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In this article, I will be describing my outstanding journey from “Rags to Riches.” In my neighborhood I am defined as a local misfit. The area of Southwest Georgia made me become a primary example of a living legend. The letters in my first name hold some extraordinary meanings as I gradually accelerate my total existence. It gives me total joy and honor to have the opportunity to share my testimony as I continually transform into what “GOD” has for me to become.
“Love the life you live. Live the life you love. The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” – Bob Marley
The Ultimate Root Words of Travis Kendrick McCray
Super Hero! Royalty! Awesome! Caregiver! Stupendous! These are a few intriguing words which will help describe me. Throughout my lifetime, I must say that it has been a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical journey which has elevated my well-being. Even through the rollercoaster of life ups and downs I manage to remain “UP” no matter what comes my way. As an inspirational leader, I have truly experienced some very tumultuous times that could have destroyed me, but “GOD” has always made a way out of no way.
The root word for “Travis” means toll collector or to cross. Travis is mainly an English masculine given name of French origin. I have had the pleasure of learning the spiritual meaning of my name which is the one who crosses or better known as the gatekeeper. This is my leadership role in society which I have learned to adapt to. Astonishingly, my acronyms for my first name “T.R.A.V.I.S.” have some incredible meanings as it describes who I am as an inspirational leader.
The letter “T”
The perfect word choice for the letter “T” is Terrific. Over the years, I have made some highly terrific choices due to my lifestyle. It began with my childhood as I was always attracted to success. Ever since I was five years old, I received my first school assignment in Kindergarten it stated “Terrific Job” and a huge smiley face. This really increased my learning abilities and has motivated me to consistently do a terrific job in pursuit of happiness such as doing a superb job with my business career. Throughout my entire lifetime, I constantly prepare to find more freedom and tranquility in my decision-making in order to continue that terrific status. Being terrific does not mean all will be perfect, but it will indeed make life more pleasant by striving for upward success no matter what.
The letter “R”
The letter “R” represents Resilience. The meaning of resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging situations. From time to time, I have truly experienced some challenging situations that I had to persevere in order to survive. At the age of ten, my earthly father decided to leave us (my mom and I) in order to restart with another family without us which led me to becoming more self-reliant and responsible. This type of resilience made me grow up fatherless and rapidly, but I gained a higher purpose with my “Heavenly Father.” Of course, there are moments that I actually miss my earthly father; however, I have learned to always press forward. Another way I had to adapt with resilience was experiencing financial mishaps. The experience of growing up fatherless and having financial struggles truly made me find various ways in order to resolve my brokenness. One way was through faith and prayers that all will become well in due time.
The letter “A”
The letter “A” represents my Amicable spirit. The word amicable means showing friendliness. According to my high school senior class, I was nominated and won the Senior Superlative called “Most Friendliest.” My amicable spirit has righteously made a productive impact on my leadership role in our society today. Through negative situations I am capable of being cordial even if I know my friendly attitude is not connecting properly with certain individuals at hand. For example, in my hometown community of Days Crossroads, I am an enormous misfit due to my amicable behavior with several encounters of negative behavior due to mediocrity such as gossip or slander. This helps me to remain humble and patient as I simply smile with excessive joy.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The letter “V”
The letter “V” represents the Victorious moments of my life. Victorious means to have the victory and live triumphantly. Indeed, I am truly triumphant because of my remarkable moments that increase my morals, standards, and values. My morals include exemplifying “LOVE” and “RESPECT” to anyone at hand accordingly. I am empowered for the everyday to become victorious. For instance, almost a decade ago at Albany State University, I met an original “Beverly Hills Barbie” named “Ms. Tiffani L. Martinez” and she completely changed my life instantly for the best. She accelerated my standards which I leveled up into a more aggressive overachiever with some exclusive skills. My values increased rapidly due to my unique blessing “Ms. Tiffani L. Martinez.” I wholeheartedly value my life because “GOD” has been so wonderful to me plus I know that more is in store to come accordingly.
The letter “I”
This particular letter “I” represents my Intelligence. Intelligence means to have the ability to acquire and have knowledge along with the skills. Over the years, I have expressed some highly-remarkable levels with my intelligence. When I was a very young prince, my late grandparents (Mildred, Lawson Nell Brown, and Elice B. McCray) often informed me of my highly-favored blessing of intelligence because “GOD” had answered their prayers. In 2009, I became a college dropout and my intelligence was put to the test due to catastrophic circumstances manifesting before my eyes. After a seven year and a half hiatus, I managed to gain a higher education. My ultimate blessing of intelligence landed me with two business degrees along with Summa Cum Laude Honors.
The letter “S”
The letter “S” represents my Steadfast demeanor. It gives me honor to say that the word steadfast means unwavering and dutifully firm. Ever since I could remember, I was always steadfast about making something productive out of my life. I come from a huge background of mediocrity in Southwest Georgia which has truly increased my steadfastness in order to become successful. The high-level of mediocrity made me realize the genuine definition of steadfast by remaining strong and courageous while gradually elevating upward. For instance, on April 21st, I lost my eldest nephew Tony Wallace to gun violence and I had to press forward with my business affairs because life must go on. It is important to always remain consistent in my craft to keep his name and several other names alive respectfully.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the acronym of my first name “T.R.A.V.I.S.” has some incredible meanings and truly describes who I am as an inspirational leader. Sometimes in life we are left with unanswered questions and unfulfilled dreams that should motivate us to accomplish over and beyond. The ultimate definition of “Travis Kendrick McCray” has made a global impact due to my impressive growth and development. I gratefully accept the guidance and protector role that miraculously come along with being “Travis” as I represent productivity and angelic strength. This is my wonderful purpose which is to cross over into the full high-end experience of growing into an Inspirational Business Mogul or an Icon.
Follow me on LinkedIn, and you can visit me @ Google name Travis K. McCray for more info!
Travis Kendrick McCray, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Travis K. McCray is a genuine definition of an ambitious leader by exemplifying a compassionate heart person for others. He began his life in Southwest Georgia in a small rural community called Days Crossroads Community. In his early childhood, he totally realized that he was surrounded by poverty and the lack of opportunities which truly encouraged him to always strive for excellence. After the completion of high school, he attended Independence University to gain double degrees in Business Management and Accounting as a Summa Cum Laude Honor Graduate. Now he is the CEO of Days Cross Road Cooperative, LLC which provides services such as Business and Financial Consulting.
In the summer of 2022, he was nominated and won The Marquis Who’s Who of America Publishing Company Certification.
