A new journey began as Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, senior vice president of U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement for Nielsen, gave the keynote address at the Jackson State University graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 2.
“I am so honored to be here to celebrate this momentous occasion,” said Pearson-McNeil. “The formality of such an event as this is as important as the degree you’re receiving today.”
Pearson-McNeil gave the history of pomp and circumstance and also encouraged the families of the graduates to appreciate them on this day.
“Allow today to be their day,” she said. “Tell them ‘I’m proud of you. I honor you.’ Then stop talking.”
After addressing the families, Pearson-McNeil shifted the focus to encouraging the graduates who will once again start a new journey in the hopes of one day working their way to the top.
“You have shown a pattern for rising above ground zero,” she said. “What were you thinking that made you want to come back for more? Something inside of you pushed you to that next level. You clearly believe in charting your own destiny.”
Pearson-McNeil used her experiences to warn the candidates that finding a place in the corporate world would not be easy.
“All of the accolades I received did not just happen,” said Pearson-McNeil. She told the graduates that there will be times where they would have to “fake it until they make it.”
Pearson-McNeil concluded her address by telling the graduates to know who they are. “I want you to know who you are before you get the job,” she said. “Corporate America can suck the authenticity right out of you. That won’t happen to you because you are going to know who you are before you start your next journey.”
The ceremony included the presentation of Golden Diplomas to 65 members of the JSU graduating class of 1964. The class members are celebrating their 50-year reunion this weekend.
Pearson-McNeil is responsible for increasing the Nielsen’s brand awareness among African-American, Asian-American and Hispanic non-profit organizations, leaders and consumers – elevating their understanding of Nielsen’s measurement services to assist in improving the overall probability of their inclusion in Nielsen’s panels, studies and surveys.
She oversees the company’s philanthropic relationships and sponsorships with multicultural organizations across the U.S. She also oversees the company’s multicultural advertising and communications strategies, including public relations, media relations and social media.
Pearson-McNeil has been recognized with numerous national, regional and local honors and has been featured in many publications. Purdue University named her a “Distinguished Alumna” in 2012; she was featured in Essence Magazine as a career advice expert; NBC’s The Grio.com included her in its “2012 Class of 100 Americans Making History Today;” and Target Market News named her “Executive of the Year.” The Chicago Tribune also profiled her in its weekly “Remarkable Person” feature of power players in the Chicago area. She is also a frequent contributor to Upscale Magazine and writes a guest column about consumer and career-related topics.