Rising Stars: Meet Reginal Mebane of Buford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Reginal Mebane.

Hi Reginal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey has been one of perseverance, faith, and transformation. I grew up facing many of the challenges that test a young man’s resolve—poverty, uncertainty, and the realities of an unforgiving world. But from an early age, I believed that my circumstances did not define my destiny.

I began my professional career at FedEx, working the night shift on the loading docks. It was there that I learned the value of hard work, discipline, and leading from the ground up. Over the years, I rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of a $2 billion division—a role that taught me not just about operations, but about people, purpose, and performance.

After decades in the corporate world, I transitioned into public service, joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a Senior Executive. At CDC, my mission shifted from moving packages to moving people—to inspire, develop, and lead teams responsible for safeguarding public health.

Along the way, I’ve served on national and community boards, mentored emerging leaders, and advocated for workforce development grounded in values-based leadership. Today, I continue that mission through writing, speaking, and service—helping others turn adversity into opportunity.

My new memoir, The Ghost at the Table: A Memoir of Surviving Life, the Streets, and Corporate America, is both a reflection and a roadmap. It tells the story of how I rose from humble beginnings to boardrooms and leadership tables—proving that no matter where you start, your purpose can take you far beyond where you ever imagined.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road—and truthfully, I wouldn’t have wanted it to be. The challenges I faced along the way became the very tools that shaped my leadership and resilience.

I grew up in an environment where survival often took precedence over success. Early on, I learned to navigate uncertainty, bias, and limited opportunity—all while holding onto faith that something greater was possible. At FedEx, I worked my way up from the bottom, facing long hours, tough conditions, and at times, the unspoken barriers that come with being a person of color in corporate America. But every obstacle was an education. It taught me grit, humility, and the importance of staying grounded in purpose.

Transitioning into federal leadership at the CDC brought a different kind of challenge—learning to influence change within complex systems. Bureaucracy can be slow, but leadership is about patience, persistence, and building trust.

There were moments of doubt, fatigue, and personal loss. Yet, through each struggle, I discovered something new about myself: that leadership isn’t about titles or comfort, it’s about service, perseverance, and the courage to keep moving forward even when the road isn’t smooth.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My creative work centers on storytelling that bridges life, leadership, and legacy. My story shared in The Ghost at the Table: A Memoir of Surviving Life, the Streets, and Corporate America, is a deep personal journey that explores what it means to rise from hardship, navigate identity, and find purpose in a world that often tells you what you cannot become.

I write from lived experiences—the streets of Memphis, the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, and the halls of federal leadership. My perspective is shaped by contrast: pain and progress, loss and redemption, poverty and power. That duality is what sets my work apart. It’s not theory, it’s testimony.

What I’m most proud of is the truth in my storytelling. The Ghost at the Table isn’t just about my story, it’s about the universal human pursuit to be seen, valued, and whole. My work blends the raw honesty of lived struggle with the discipline of leadership, showing that greatness isn’t about being a perfectionist, it’s about persistence.
At this stage of my life, I see my writing and speaking as an extension of my leadership. Whether on the page or on the stage, my mission is the same—to inspire others to confront their ghosts, own their story, and lead their lives with courage and conviction.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that leadership and success begin with self-awareness and service. Titles, accomplishments, and recognition may open doors, but character and consistency keep them open.

Throughout my journey—from the loading docks at FedEx to executive boardrooms and federal leadership roles—I’ve learned that people don’t follow resumes; they follow integrity. Real leadership isn’t about control, it’s about creating space for others to grow, to be seen, and to succeed.

Another lesson that has guided me is that pain can be purpose if you let it teach you. The hardships I faced—both personal and professional—became classrooms. They taught me empathy, resilience, and the value of leading with humility.

Over time I’ve learned that success without significance is incomplete. The true measure of leadership is not how high you climb, but how many you lift along the way. That principals guide everything I do, whether I’m leading, mentoring, writing, or simply trying to leave the world a little better than I found it.

Pricing:

• https://wppublishingllc.com/product/the-ghost-at-the-table/

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wppublishingllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghost_thetable/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579344985806
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghost-at-the-table-337729389/
• Twitter: https://x.com/GhostTable77
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wppublishing6047

Image Credits
Personal Image: By: John Sands, Reggis and LaRhonda (Present day): By: Unknown, Reggie and Larhonda (Younger) By: Olan Mills, Reggie (Mom) By: Stephanie Mebane-Dowell, Reggie (Dad) By: Unknown, Twins By: Reginal R. Mebane, Reggie (Siblings-Adult) By: Dr. Stanley Dowell, Reggie (Siblings-Youth) By: Unknown, Tom Mebane Head-stone By: Reginald R. Mebane, Reggie SES-Flag By: Robert Castilo, Reggie Sitting By: Kimbertly A. Jones