Cheryl Cross is working toward a goal of helping 1,000 Black entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses and develop their personal brands. Her mission is shaped by her own experience as a formerly homeless immigrant who rebuilt her life through education, persistence, and community support. She is now the CEO of Consultant Proficiency Resources, a business consulting firm focused on leadership coaching, personal branding, and business analytics.
Cross arrived in the United States from the Caribbean at age 12 with her mother and siblings, hoping to reunite with her father. The reunion was complicated by family conflict and financial hardship, which led to periods of homelessness. During this time, Cheryl and her family often stayed with friends or acquaintances on weekends until they could find more permanent housing. Eventually, they settled in a two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, where all six family members lived together.
Despite the difficulties, Cross stayed focused on her education and found support through her local church. By age sixteen, she had started a youth organization and worked to build communication between neighborhood residents, gang members, and the local police. She describes her upbringing as complex but says her family emphasized the values of respect and integrity, which helped them gain the trust of others in the community.
She went on to earn her high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, and an MBA. Currently, she is completing her doctoral studies in global business at a university in Philadelphia. Alongside her academic work, she leads her consultancy and shares her experience through workshops, radio programs, and a podcast called CPR Moral Leadership Coaching Tidbit. She also co-hosts masterclasses and boot camps focused on personal and professional growth.
Cross is the author of the eBook series Rags-2-Royalty: Building and Rebuilding Your Personal Brand, which outlines how individuals can align their public image with their authentic identity. The series offers practical advice for those looking to rebuild their personal brand after setbacks or adversity.
Her older sister describes her as someone who has consistently pursued her goals while staying connected to her community. In recent years, Cheryl discovered through conversations with older relatives that she is related to Ulric Cross, a prominent Caribbean figure who served in the Royal Air Force, practiced law in several countries, and acted as a diplomat. His life story was the subject of the film Hero: Inspired by the Extraordinary Life and Times of Mr. Ulric Cross.
Cheryl Cross continues to use her personal story to support and guide others. Her current work includes one-on-one coaching, group training, and public speaking aimed at helping new entrepreneurs, particularly within the Black community.
More information is available at CPRLLCServices.com
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