The road to success wasn’t paved for Cheryl Tyler. They had to forge it.
The woman, who grew up in Palestine, Texas, is the first Black woman to work as a Secret Service agent protecting the President of the United States, breaking past boundaries that many thought were insurmountable.
She now encourages a new generation of Black women to follow their ambitions, no matter how impossible they may appear, by sharing her incredible journey of bravery, tenacity, and resolve in her memoir Trailblazer.
In a recent interview, Tyler stated, “I wanted to write this book to show others that it’s possible to break down walls and succeed, even in spaces where you’re not expected to be.” It has all been worthwhile if my tale encourages even one person to keep going.
Tyler’s interest in police enforcement started in her childhood living room, when she and her father watched television programs like The Untouchables and The Wild Wild West. Young Tyler’s imagination was captivated by the fearless, action-packed style of James West and Elliott Ness’s angular suits as the bold figures on television.
Tyler remarked, “I wanted to do what those men do and still look like a lady after looking at them.” She would go on to have one of the most coveted and challenging occupations in the world—protecting the President of the United States—thanks to this early spark.
Tyler’s unwavering drive inspired her to pursue a career few Black women had ever thought about, even though she had no family history in law enforcement. Tyler took a chance while she was employed at the Internal Revenue Service and went to the Secret Service office during her lunch break to ask about the possibility of becoming an agent. That straightforward question became a moment that changed people’s lives.
At first, I was merely interested, but then I asked myself, Why not me? Tyler stated. I returned to that office and inquired about joining. I was determined to attempt even though I knew it wouldn’t be simple.
The career that followed broke down barriers of gender and race. Tyler was the first Black woman to serve in such a capacity, having done so under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. She talks about her years of travels with the President, handling dangerous security scenarios, and remaining on the lookout for possible threats in Trailblazer.
But she faced difficulties along the way. Despite encountering racial and gender discrimination in a predominantly white field, Tyler’s determination only strengthened.
According to Tyler, there were moments when I felt like I needed to put in twice as much effort to show myself. However, that didn’t deter me. I gained respect because I remained committed to my goal.
Tyler’s career serves as a tribute to the strength of perseverance and goes beyond simply breaking down obstacles. She discovered along the way that leadership is earned via tenacity and that success doesn’t come easily.
“Being your own strongest advocate is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned,” Tyler said. There will always be challenges, but if you have faith in yourself and persevere, you can do things you never would have imagined.
Tyler remains the CEO and creator of CLT3 Security Logistics. Her company oversees security for international organizations, corporate enterprises, and significant events. Her time in the Secret Service influenced her leadership style, which places a strong emphasis on readiness, meticulousness, and—above all—resilience.
Tyler wants to encourage young Black women to seek occupations that challenge the current quo by means of Trailblazer. Her narrative is about perseverance, hard effort, and having the guts to overcome obstacles when others say it is impossible.
“I want the next generation to see that their potential is limitless,” she remarked. I will have accomplished my goal if my tale inspires people to pursue their goals.
Visit this link to learn more about her memoir: https://www.1trailblazerbook.com/
