Black professionals share their challenges and victories in trucking

There’s no doubt that trucking is a difficult occupation, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. To celebrate Black History Month, we spoke with Black trucking professionals about some of the challenges they’ve encountered in the industry, how they overcame them, and what they love about their jobs.

Alix Burton

Alix Burton is the owner of Good Energy Worldwide, a small fleet and training program out of Atlanta. He didn’t start out in trucking, but he used his entrepreneurial spirit to find success. “As a Black fleet owner, we’re definitely the minority in the transportation industry,” he said. “We realized nothing was going to be given to us, so as a small company, we had to operate with a big-company mindset.” This drive has helped him grow his fleet to multiple trucks, employees, and secure dedicated lanes.

Sharae Moore

Sharae Moore‘s favorite part of being a truck driver is getting to travel and see new things. But soon after she got on the road, she noticed a lack of resources for women drivers. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, she founded an empowerment and mentorship organization called “Sisterhood. Helping. Empowerment (S.H.E.) Trucking.” S.H.E. Trucking has a vibrant community on and offline, training resources, an apparel line, and most recently, a podcast. 

Nic and Carla Richelle

Nic and Carla Richelle are a married, over-the-road couple who vlog about their trucking experiences on their social channels. When they first got into the industry, they learned how to drive large vehicles, parent long-distance and handle business over the road. They credit their success to unwavering positivity. “We have a quote that we live by,” said Carla. “‘Live life for a living,’ and that’s simply just making the best out of every situation.”

Even with the challenges, Nic and Carla enjoy the work they do. Nic said, “I love traveling, I love the fact that I get to work with the love of my life, and I love that I can go to sleep in one place and wake up in a completely different place.” Carla added, “[I love] being a paid tourist!”

Johnell and Constance Moseley

Husband-and-wife team Johnell and Constance Moseley are an over-the-road (OTR) duo. They weren’t originally in the industry, but after raising their children, they decided to hit the road . . . literally. Like many truck drivers, the Moseleys relish the travel opportunities and freedom that come with the job.  

The hardest part for them is definitely being away from friends and family. Constance adds that being a long-distance mom and adjusting to life in the truck came with many challenges, too. Their solution? “Make sure to take time to communicate and let your people know that you love them,” said Johnell. Constance relies on technology to keep in touch, and she also makes time to cook.