We recently had the chance to connect with Bryson Cantrell & Peighton Cantrell and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Bryson & Peighton, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
For me (Bryson) I loose track of time listening to music. I also find myself again the same way.
For me (Peighton) I loose track of time reading and find myself in the same way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re Bryson and Peighton Cantrell, a dynamic twin duo whose shared passion for literacy, leadership, and youth empowerment has shaped their journey from an early age. Born in December 2008 and currently juniors at Arlington High School, we are the founders of BookIt4Life Children’s Book & Social Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization they launched in February 2017 at just eight years old. The organization was officially recognized as a nonprofit in January 2020.
BookIt4Life was created to cultivate a love of reading among their peers while reinforcing an important life lesson: never judge a book by its cover. As the book club grew, we listened closely to members and the community, identifying gaps in opportunities for youth engagement and enrichment. This insight led to the creation of one of our most impactful initiative—the Memphis Children’s Business Fair. Since its launch in October 2019, the fair has been held biannually, providing young participants with a platform to explore entrepreneurship, develop confidence, and gain real-world skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Individually, Bryson serves as a trombone section leader for the Arlington High School Band, which earned the title of Grand National Champion in Class 2A at the Bands of America Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has also been named Vice President of the Black Student Association for the 2026–2027 school year and is actively involved in his school’s TV and media production team. Peighton serves as Vice President of Marketing for her school’s DECA chapter, Co-Leader of Girls for Christ—an organization that has grown to more than 200 members in the past year—and an active member of the Arlington High School Student Council.
Through the work with BookIt4Life and the Memphis Children’s Business Fair, we’ve earned numerous honors and speaking opportunities. A few of the recognitions include receiving the Character Achievement Award from the Rotary Club of Memphis Central (2022), Peighton delivering a TEDx Talk (2023), being named to Memphis Parent Magazine’s Top 10 Under 20 (2024), speaking at the Memphis-Shelby County Regional Tennessee Commission of Children and Youth Conference (2024), and receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from the State of Tennessee (2025), among many others. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to demonstrating to young people that their voices are not only heard but valued.
As we prepare for our senior year and begin planning for college, we remain focused on expanding our impact. The goal is to ensure that BookIt4Life—and the opportunities created through the Memphis Children’s Business Fair—continues to inspire and empower future generations of readers, leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
(Peighton) My earliest memory of feeling “powerful” was in the third grade. That year pushed me beyond measure. I had a third grade teacher that believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. That year I dominated in AR (Accelerated Reading) putting me in the Top 5 for my school, I also won the third grade spelling bee and was able to help others in tutoring groups outside of my classroom. It was a fantastic year that made me feel super unstoppable. I continued to embrace the idea that I could do anything.
(Bryson) My earliest memory goes back to kindergarten! We were playing a game at school, and I executed the perfect strategy to get my friend out of hiding! That was a big deal and I was really proud of myself. Later, in 2nd grade, their was a mystery book called “Chasing Vermeer” that had pentominoes and other puzzles intertwined throughout which would allow you to solve the mystery early – and I figured it out! This made me feel super smart. That was powerful for me!
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
(Peighton) I miss my former teacher, Mrs. Humphries. She listened to me and cared about what I had to say. She advocated for me and was persistent in doing so, when needed. She gave me a space of comfort to explore my interests while still teaching me the life skills needed for her class.
(Bryson) I miss my grandfather. We had an incredibly close relationship and I learned a lot from him in the short time we had with each other. I don’t often share that with others.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
(Bryson) I once believed that hard work alone could surpass talent. I no longer hold that view. God-given talent, when recognized, embraced, and nurtured, can exceed what hard work alone can achieve.
(Peighton) I use to believe that you should match people’s energy and give kindness to those who earn it, but that could not be farther from the truth. Love is not reciprocal – you don’t have to deserve it for it to be given to you.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
(Peighton) Yes. At one point I was doing everything I loved to do, had lots of friends, and materialistically had everything I asked for, but I still wasn’t satisfied. The longer I sat in that the more miserable I felt. Once I removed myself from one space I began to focus on what truly mattered and found satisfaction there.
(Bryson) Yes. At end of middle school I made the decision to socially re-invent myself. It worked, but it didn’t give me the satisfaction I thought it would have. I realized that the true issue lied within. I’m good now!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cbfmemphis.com
- Instagram: @cbfmemphis , and, @bookit4life
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bookit4life ,and, https://www.facebook.com/MemphisCBF
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bookit4life554
- Other: Email: bookit4life@gmail.com (BookIt4Life)
Email: cbfmemphis@gmail.com (Memphis Children’s Business Fair)
TedX Talk: https://youtu.be/BEhNqPU7_hg?si=SCyTw4CPPuH_ac3X
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Shera Cantrell
