Myrtle Engram is a true daughter of Bay Minette, Alabama. Attending nursery school at Mrs. Sister Moorer’s Daycare, attending kindergarten with Mrs. Josephine Valree (the maternal grandmother of Higher Ground Society founder, Jerald Crook), attending 1st and 2nd grade at Douglasville Elementary School, she eventually participated in the forced integration of Baldwin County, Alabama schools in 1969 as a third grader. Engram then graduated from Baldwin County High School in 1980. As a young person in Bay Minette, she was the first Black cashier at the local, beloved, yet recently closed Piggly Wiggly. In the fall of 1980 Engram attended Alabama State University where she graduated cum laude with a degree in Computer Information Systems in 1984. During her college career Engram was recognized via Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges (1984), Outstanding Young Women of America (1984-1998), and the Alabama State University President’s Award (1984).
Engram went on to lead a 42-year career in information technology, living in Maryland and working for Teradata. She retired in 2015, but immediately re-entered the workforce, working for Armedia before officially retiring in 2024. In her retirement Engram is renovating what is becoming her Retirement Property in Chickasaw, Alabama, close to Africatown, to establish it as the headquarters for the Vivian Diana Engram “DianEncourages” Literacy Foundation and Gardens which honors the legacy of her sister and BEST Friend who transitioned and became her guardian angel on July 1, 2017. The property will also be the home of DuckDeeda Studio which will produce a podcast beginning in Q4 of 2024.
Engram’s other endeavors include being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Advanced ToastMaster Silver (Toastmaster International), and being a 2024 moderator for Senior Health Class—Contemporary Issues in the News Discussion Group through Holy Cross Health. Engram is also the Best Friend of the superhero Murdock whose superpowers are reading, listening, and creating good. Murdock teaches Moral Literacy to children through character short stories and attributes.
An avid supporter of Higher Ground Society since its inception, Engram looks forward to spending be at least 6 months a year in Alabama, getting involved in a capacity where she can add value and Make a Difference in her 'new' community.