MDonnell Tenner was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised via Lambert, Mississippi and East Saint Paul, Minnesota. The only boy in a family with three sisters, he learned early on in life about having a strong work ethic and how education is the key foundation to success. His strong faith in God and a willingness to understand from whence he came keep him grounded and determined never to stop helping the communities he is from. He is a descendant of slaves two generations removed. He also is a descendant of the Cherokee Indian nation. Throughout his life, Tenner's teachers did not give him the direction he now knows he should have received. His strength comes from his mother who enlisted in the army to help provide for him and his siblings. At fourteen years old, he forged his birth certificate and worked forty hours or more a week in the summers so his mother would not have to provide for his school clothes, athletic fees and equipment. Upon graduating from high school in the top half of his class, Tenner was able to keep his focus while playing collegiate football and receiving a degree in sports management with a minor in business administration. He went on to earn his Master's degree in educational administration from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, along with his K-12 Principal certification and Superintendency certification. MDonnell Tenner states about himself, "My motto is 'Can't stop, won't stop, NEVER.' I will not rest until all children, whatever race, color and or creed, are getting equitable education experiences and the gap is significantly closed." M. Donnell Tenner is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He is a gifted motivational speaker, mentor, educator, radio show host, and author, as well as a proven creative "out-of-the-box" educator who gets results. His future goal is to make official visits to all urban school districts throughout the nation, empowering them through motivational talks and workshops.