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Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks - Every L is Not Just a Loss it Could be a Lesson - 10.29.25

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Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks - 10.28.25 - Be Authentically You

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Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks -Legacy Steve Harvey- Radio Career - 10.27.25

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Chef Kevin Bludso.

Here’s a summary of MMCMC Script File 18, an episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rushion McDonald, featuring special guest Kevin Bledsoe, founder of Bledsoe’s Barbecue and a two-time Hoodie Award winner.

🔥 Key Topics Discussed 1. The Hoodie Awards Legacy

• Kevin credits the Hoodie Awards for launching his national visibility.
• Describes the experience as “life-changing,” giving pride and validation to small business owners.
• Emphasizes how the awards brought community recognition, celebrity exposure, and lasting friendships.

2. Bledsoe’s Barbecue Journey

• Originated in Compton, CA, with family BBQ roots in Corsicana, TX.
• Now an international brand with locations in Los Angeles, San Antonio, and even Melbourne, Australia.
• Known for slow-smoked meats, authentic Southern sides, and consistent quality.

3. Celebrity Support & Customer Experience

• Celebrities frequent Bledsoe’s, but Kevin emphasizes treating everyone with respect.
• Consistency in food and service is key: “Every plate looks immaculate.”
• Rushion shares personal stories of bringing military and corporate guests to the restaurant.

4. Television Career

• Kevin’s TV debut came unexpectedly via a producer who overheard him joking in the kitchen.
• Became a regular on Bar Rescue and now stars on Netflix’s American Barbecue Showdown.
• His authenticity and humor made him a standout personality.

5. Philanthropy & Community Impact

• Bledsoe’s has paid for funerals, provided scholarships, and supported local causes.
• Kevin believes in giving back: “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
• Emphasizes the importance of teamwork, community, and uplifting others.

6. Entrepreneurship Real Talk

• Warns aspiring entrepreneurs: “Owning a business is the hardest job you’ll ever have.”
• Shares his early grind—working 24-hour days between BBQ and DJ gigs.
• Encourages building a strong team and trusting the process.

7. Civic Engagement

• Passionate about voting rights and Black empowerment.
• Urges listeners to vote in person and stay informed about political and social issues.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
• “Are you ready to go eight years without a day off?”
• “The Hoodie Awards made us feel like celebrities—like we mattered.”
• “You need fans in the stands. That’s called customers.”
• “If I’m making it and my people aren’t, then I’m not making it.”

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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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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