As we celebrate Black History Month this February, it’s important that we reflect on not just those who have paved the way in the past, but those who are making history happen today. 

To that end, SBF is honored to share the stories of the inspirational Black voices in our midst, to uplift them, and recognize their contributions to their teams, to the industry, and to the world.

Today, we introduce you to Alexander Kevelier, marketing manager at Blue Bird Corporation.

From Graphic Design to the Yellow Bus

A creative to his core, Kevelier’s background is in graphic design. 

He graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta, working at an exhibit agency in the trade show industry. It was an economic downturn, that led him to expand his horizons, and thankfully for student transportation, land at one of the most iconic makers of the yellow bus.

Blue Bird is the largest employer in middle Georgia, and Kevelier started as a marketing coordinator in early 2021. He didn’t have extensive marketing experience yet, but was eager to try something new. He was thrilled when they accepted his application.

Now, he’s beginning to bleed yellow like so many other industry veterans. “I feel an immense sense of pride to play my part in the school bus industry,” he said. “School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. Our industry is filled with exceptional professionals who are all passionate about what we do – that is to provide safe transportation to the next generation of leaders.”

Kevelier’s Take on the Black Experience

Not all members of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community experience largely positive experiences. Kevelier is thankful that his experience in society as a Black man has been relatively smooth compared to what is regularly witnessed in the news.

“Naturally, that does not mean there were no challenges,” he said. “The toughest part for me is being the father of a young Black man and a young Black woman, keeping them safe, and making sure they know the value of the people around them should not be based on their appearance but on the content of their character.”

“In the workplace, it’s a similar story,” he says. “I, too, encounter a subtle awkwardness when I look at company pictures – past and present – and there are no other faces similar to mine.” 

Kevelier says that early in his career, he didn’t see many Black people in leadership positions, leaving him with little to no aspirational figures to relate to. “However, being a Black person and second-generation immigrant ingrained in me resilience, hard work, and perseverance, so I keep moving forward.” 

He’s grateful to the leaders who entrust him with the position he sits in now and looks at them as mentors. And, thanks to Blue Bird’s sponsorship, he recently graduated from the 2024 Leadership Macon program hosted by Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.

“Alex is a beacon of positive change in the workplace and in the community,” Tim Gordon, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Blue Bird, said in a social media post. “He is a humble leader, and embodies the service values of Blue Bird, Macon-Bibb County, and myself. I am incredibly proud to know him as a member of the Blue Bird Team, and even more proud call him a friend.”

Advice for Others

How can others support their Black colleagues and contribute to an inclusive industry? “One simple step: be open,” Kevelier said. 

“Be open in your hiring considerations, be open to the perspectives of others, be open to the feedback of all team members, be open to the fact that everyone has a different experience. Then actively work toward a future in which everyone has a seat at the table and can contribute to the best of his or her abilities.”

Kevelier’s memory of not seeing many faces like his in leadership roles is important, and he hopes to see more Black people in a variety of positions, on all levels, from school bus drivers to chief marketing officers, and production workers to executives and board members.

One Black leader he looks up to is a woman in the automotive industry. Ayesha Coker, who is VP of marketing at Porsche Cars North America, has led Porsche’s experiential brand activities for the past 15 years, and is the first African American and first woman of color to join Porsche’s leadership team. “She translated her passion for fashion and design into phenomenal brand experiences,” he said. “She is an inspiration.”

Coker was recently featured in MotorTrend’s Black History Month spotlight, and added these words: “Leadership matters. Empowerment matters. And most importantly, creating opportunities for new voices and ideas to shape the future of the automotive industry matters… Innovation thrives when we support one another, embrace diverse perspectives, and create space for fresh ideas to grow.”

Editor’s Note: What Black voices inspire you in student transportation? Please uplift the professionals you admire by mentioning them in the comments or reaching out to our editors!