Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cheryl Bevelle-Orange.

Retired Chief Information Officer (CIO) of FedEx Custom Critical and author of The Courage to Continue: Navigating Your Corporate Journey, shares her inspiring story of rising from humble beginnings in Bessemer, Alabama, to becoming a high-ranking executive in a Fortune 500 company. The conversation centers on her book’s core themes: mentorship, advocacy, and sponsorship.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. Why She Wrote the Book

• Cheryl is a first-generation corporate American whose parents were a coal miner and a teacher.
• Initially written as a guide for her children, the book evolved into a broader resource for anyone navigating corporate life, especially first-generation professionals.
• The pandemic inspired her to add a section for leaders managing first-gen employees.

1. Career at FedEx

• Spent 26 years at FedEx, culminating in her role as CIO of FedEx Custom Critical.
• FedEx Custom Critical handles specialized logistics, such as transporting refrigerated COVID-19 vaccines.
• Her role involved overseeing IT infrastructure, data, and systems—a rare position for African-American women in tech.

1. Mentorship, Advocacy, and Sponsorship

• Cheryl breaks down the differences:
• • Mentors help build skills and confidence (like background singers preparing the lead).
  • Sponsors are like PR agents who open doors and promote you.
  • Advocates speak up for you in rooms where you’re not present.
• These three pillars were essential to her success and are critical for young professionals, especially minorities.

1. Overcoming Barriers

• Cheryl shares how racism and gender bias in tech were real challenges.
• Her first mentor was a white male who saw her potential and helped her navigate corporate culture.
• She emphasizes the importance of resilience, perspective, and turning frustration into action.

1. Personal Motivation

• A pivotal childhood moment: seeing her grandfather sign an “X” at the bank because he couldn’t write.
• That experience ignited her drive for education and excellence.
• She wanted to see the world beyond Bessemer and use her knowledge to help others do the same.

1. Diversity & Inclusion at FedEx

• Cheryl co-founded the FedEx African-American Committee, now a Business Resource Group (BRG).
• Initiatives included:
• • Resume building and interview prep
  • Black History Month events with speakers like Donna Brazile and Ben Hooks
  • Creating safe spaces for Black employees to grow and connect

📘 About the Book

• Title: The Courage to Continue: Navigating Your Corporate Journey
• Available at: CherylBevelleOrange.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

#AMI

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Coach Gregory Green.

Head men’s and women’s tennis coach and REACH advisor at Tuskegee University. Here's a summary of the key themes and highlights:

🎙️ Guest: Coach Gregory Green

• Former college football player and coach at schools like Alabama State, Kentucky State, Savannah State, and UAB.
• Currently coaching tennis at Tuskegee University and mentoring student-athletes.

🧠 Key Topics Discussed 🏈 NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and College Athletics

• NIL has transformed college sports, allowing athletes to earn money through endorsements and sponsorships.
• Power Five schools (like Ohio State and Michigan) have massive NIL collectives, sometimes offering millions to high school recruits.
• HBCUs and smaller programs are participating but on a smaller financial scale.
• NIL deals are often driven by alumni and corporate partnerships.

🔁 Transfer Portal

• Explained as a tool for athletes to transfer schools without sitting out a year.
• While it offers flexibility, it also raises concerns about commitment, development, and long-term planning.
• Athletes risk losing scholarships if they enter the portal without securing a new opportunity.

🎾 Tuskegee Tennis Program

• Coach Green leads a successful program with high academic and athletic performance.
• His teams have won championships and maintained top GPAs in the region.
• Emphasizes holistic development—athletics, academics, and career readiness.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Mentorship & Parental Advice

• Encourages parents to let student-athletes make their own college decisions.
• Stresses the importance of attitude and effort as the only two things athletes can control.
• Advocates for intrinsic motivation and resilience in the face of adversity.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Sharise Nance.

Purpose of the Interview

• To showcase Sharise Nance’s mission in mental health advocacy, entrepreneurship, and workplace wellness.
• To discuss her companies:
  • Hand in Hand Counseling Services – addressing mental health disparities in Black communities.
  • Vitamin C Healing – building trauma-sensitive, wellness-centered workplace cultures.
• To educate on stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and financial equity in the mental health field.

Key Takeaways

1. Hand in Hand Counseling Services

   • Founded with college roommate Tess Kenny in Pittsburgh.
   • Created a safe space for mental health support in underserved communities.
   • Celebrating 12 years in operation.

2. Breaking Mental Health Stigma

   • Built trust through community presence and transparency.
   • Advocated therapy as normal: “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.”
   • Education on what therapy is and isn’t.

3. Understanding Stress

   • Eustress (positive stress) vs. Distress (overwhelming stress).
   • Physical signs: sweating, rapid heartbeat, tense shoulders, jaw clenching.
   • Stress can lead to depression and anxiety—seek professional help.

4. Impact of COVID-19

   • Isolation amplified mental health issues.
   • Introduced concept of co-regulation—healing through community and connection.

5. Vitamin C Healing

   • Originated from her book Vitamin C Healing for the Mind, Body.
   • Evolved into a brand offering workshops, consultations, and burnout assessments.
   • Focused on helping professionals and leaders prevent compassion fatigue.

6. Financial Equity in Mental Health

   • Advocates for fair pay: “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.”
   • Challenges the mindset that passion work means low income.
   • Encourages professionals to set boundaries and value their expertise.

7. Burnout & Organizational Cost

   • Unaddressed burnout costs companies millions annually.
   • Leads to quiet quitting, low productivity, and high turnover.
   • Investing in wellness saves money and improves culture.

8. Personal Journey

   • Biggest bet: leaving full-time job in 2017 to pursue entrepreneurship.
   • Therapy helped her navigate fear and grief (especially after losing her father).
   • Quote: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Notable Quotes

• “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.”
• “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.”
• “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
• “We heal when we are in community—it’s hard to heal in isolation.”
• “Compassion fatigue isn’t just a feel-good topic; it costs companies millions.”
• “Betting on myself was the best investment I ever made.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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