There was a time during my years Miss America that there was a credible threat

made against my life such that the FBI got involved. I was the backtrack just

a little bit. I was the third African American woman to hold the title of Miss

America, but I was the second one to win it because Vanessa Williams was the

first. She gave up her title and her first runner-up was also African

Americans, so that's how I end up being the third. Well, there were certain people

that just, you know, didn't like the fact that a brown face was under the

Miss America crown. And so there was a little bit of hate and opposition out

there as I traveled as Miss America. And I was in a southern town. This credible

threat came through law enforcement. It was enough that they called in the FBI.

They could not assure my safety. So they asked me to stay in my hotel room.

They posted a police officer outside the door until they could secure a safe exit

from that area.

How did you do it? Debbie Turner Bell heard that question tons of times during

her reign as Miss America. Everybody wanted to know how in her words, this little

black girl from Arkansas ended up winning one of the most iconic titles in the

world. She realized that the question really wasn't so much about process, but

instead, it was about possibility. People wanted to know how they, too, could

overcome the odds and find success, especially when life shows them lots of

struggle. Today, Dr. Debbie Turner Bell is going to share her story. Plus, she's

going to give you honest cautions about the choices that could trip you up. And

she's going to give you strategies that will give you the edge you need to be

...