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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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