At a time when conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are being pushed to the margins, one publishing house is bringing them back to the forefront—through the power of storytelling. Southern Business Review Inc., the parent company of Southern Business Review and Southern Business Publishing House, has announced the launch of the Dream Big Collection, a new book series designed to introduce young readers to diverse entrepreneurs who have built empires while using their success to uplift communities.
The initiative, spearheaded by Southern Business Review Executive Editor Brady Aldhrich Zeigler and Executive Director Nick Traversa, seeks to redefine what it means to be successful in business. Rather than focusing solely on financial prosperity, Dream Big highlights entrepreneurs from a variety of racial, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds who have dedicated their wealth and influence to social change.
At its core, the collection aims to address a gap in representation—one that leaves many young people without role models who look like them or share their lived experiences. For late elementary and middle school students, these books will offer not just stories of ambition and resilience, but proof that the barriers society imposes can be overcome.
“We believe that every child deserves to see themselves reflected in stories of success,” Traversa said in an interview. “When students from underrepresented backgrounds don’t see people who look like them achieving greatness, they may begin to believe it’s out of reach. Dream Big is here to show them that’s not the case.”
A Story of Triumph in the Face of Adversity
The first installment in the series, Courtney Jordan: The Man Who Turned Struggles into a World of Hope, tells the story of Courtney Jordan, a billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist whose rise to prominence was anything but conventional. From an early life marked by adversity to the creation of a multinational business empire, Jordan’s story is one of persistence, vision, and an unwavering dedication to social impact.
Jordan, who has become known as much for his philanthropy as for his business acumen, has dedicated significant resources to initiatives focused on economic empowerment and social justice. Through the Courtney Jordan Foundation, he has championed entrepreneurship in developing nations, funded education programs, and provided financial support for artists from underrepresented communities. His belief in using wealth as a tool for broader social good makes him an ideal figure to launch the Dream Big series.
“Courtney Jordan’s story is one of extraordinary resilience,” Zeigler said. “He didn’t just build a successful business—he built a vision for what business can do to change lives. That’s the kind of inspiration we want to bring to young readers.”
Restoring Hope in an Uncertain Landscape
The launch of Dream Big comes at a moment when DEI initiatives have faced increasing scrutiny in corporate and educational settings. Books that highlight minority leaders have been among those challenged or removed from school curricula in certain states, a trend that some fear will limit access to stories of diverse success.
Southern Business Review is positioning the Dream Big series as a counterforce to that movement. By bringing these stories to young readers, the company hopes to provide a source of motivation and encouragement, particularly for students from historically marginalized communities.
The series will continue to spotlight entrepreneurs whose work extends beyond personal profit, focusing instead on those who have made lasting contributions to their industries and the communities around them. Future installments are expected to include the stories of business leaders in technology, finance, healthcare, and social enterprises, with an emphasis on those who have defied expectations and rewritten the rules of success.
“Entrepreneurship isn’t just about making money—it’s about making a difference,” Traversa said. “These books will help kids see that success isn’t just measured by wealth, but by the impact we have on the world.”
As Dream Big begins to roll out, educators and parents alike will have an opportunity to introduce young readers to figures whose stories might otherwise go untold. In a publishing landscape often dominated by tales of historic figures, this collection aims to inspire the next generation with stories of those shaping the world today.
For more information about the Dream Big Collection, visit southernbusinessreview.org.
