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 Dr. Will Moreland.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To highlight Dr. Will Moreland’s journey from combat veteran to global leadership expert, and to share his insights on executive coaching, building winning cultures, overcoming fear, and turning passion into profit through his Million Dollar Speaker Framework.

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Background & Credentials

• Two-time combat military veteran (Bosnia and Iraq).
• Business Hall of Fame inductee.
• Founder of Moreland Training & Associates.
• Holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership.
• Based in Phoenix, Arizona.

2. Leadership Philosophy

• Leadership begins with self-leadership.
• Civility—defined as “intentional respect for others”—is key to productivity and profitability.
• “People respected are more productive.”
• Focus on people before profit to build sustainable success.

3. Building Winning Cultures

• Uses the Civility Advantage Framework with six pillars:
  • Clarity: Define how you want your culture to feel.
  • Communication: Reinforce cultural values consistently.
  • Consistency: Embed values into daily operations.
• Offers anonymous assessments to audit company culture and align leadership with employee experience.

4. Executive Coaching & Leadership Development

• Helps leaders transition from task-based roles to people-based leadership.
• Uses his book Leading with Civility and the CHAMPS Framework in a six-month curriculum.
• Emphasizes discipline, emotional intelligence, and people skills.

5. Overcoming Fear

• Fear is often a result of lack of information.
• Encourages leaders to confront fear with clarity and education.
• Example: AI is not a threat, but a tool to enhance productivity.

“You won’t be replaced by AI—you’ll be replaced by someone who embraced AI.”

6. Million Dollar Speaker Framework (PAM Formula)

• Positioning: Define your unique message (e.g., Les Brown’s “You gotta be hungry!”).
• Advantage: Identify your competitive edge.
• Marketing: Deliver consistent messaging to build brand recognition.

7. Living from Your CORE

A personal decision-making framework:

• C – Clarity
• O – Opportunities
• R – Relationships
• E – Experiences

“If it doesn’t align with your CORE, it’s a no.”

8. Legacy & Impact

• Committed to training better humans and promoting the Golden Rule.
• Believes in empowering others through leadership, civility, and education.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Civility is profitable. Incivility costs billions.”
• “Discipline is the bridge from where you are to where you want to be.”
• “Fear is just information. The more you know, the less you fear.”
• “You don’t need a lot of people—you need the right people.”
• “Live from your CORE: Clarity, Opportunities, Relationships, Experiences.”

📌 Final Thoughts

Dr. Will Moreland’s interview is a masterclass in leadership, personal growth, and business strategy. His frameworks and philosophies offer practical tools for entrepreneurs, executives, and aspiring speakers to build impactful careers and cultures.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To share Johnny Lynum’s journey from military service to becoming a successful real estate investor and wealth advisor, and to educate listeners on building generational wealth through real estate, financial literacy, and strategic investing.

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Military Background & Transition

• Johnny Lynum is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, with 20 years of service as a developmental engineer and intelligence officer.
• His military career provided discipline and structure, but his passion for entrepreneurship led him to real estate investing.

2. Real Estate Journey

• Started with a VA loan to buy his first property.
• Built a portfolio of 115 doors worth over \$10 million, primarily in Panama City, Florida and Montgomery, Alabama.
• Leveraged his knowledge and connections to invest remotely while living in Northern Virginia.

3. Investment Philosophy

• Real estate is a tangible, relatable investment.
• Emphasizes leverage—using other people’s money to control larger assets.
• Advocates for buying back time through passive income strategies tailored to different life stages (30s, 40s, 50s).
• Encourages strategic investing and not just chasing instant gratification.

4. Books & Education

• Author of:
  • Millionaire Real Estate Success Strategies: What They Forgot to Teach You in School
  • Upcoming: The Financial Security Blueprint – focuses on biblical principles, alternative investments, and building lasting wealth.
• Offers free downloads of his book via johnnylynam.com/newbook.

5. Faith & Legacy

• Strong emphasis on faith and service.
• Inspired by his mother’s legacy planning and life insurance setup for her grandchildren.
• Focused on building generational wealth and educating his children and others.

6. Tax-Smart Investing

• Discusses strategies like bonus depreciation, oil and gas investments, and self-directed IRAs to minimize tax liabilities.
• Encourages understanding the IRS tax code to identify government-incentivized investment areas.

7. Building a Brand

• Active on LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook.
• Partnered with LinkedIn to create real estate content.
• Promotes financial literacy and faith-based wealth building.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “I had to go from broke Johnny to woke Johnny.”
• “You don’t have to be an expert at everything, but you can be the leader in the room.”
• “My God is a God of abundance.”
• “Real estate became my vehicle and my pathway to building wealth.”
• “You’re a blessing to your blessing.” — on generational wealth.
• “Success leaves clues.”
• “You have to take that leap of faith and take that action.”

📌 Final Thoughts

Johnny Lynum’s story is a powerful example of how discipline, faith, and strategic action can transform lives. His journey from humble beginnings and military service to building a multimillion-dollar real estate empire is both inspiring and instructive. He emphasizes the importance of education, mentorship, and legacy, making this interview a masterclass in wealth creation and purposeful living.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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