The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Vontyna Durham as its August 2023 Member of the Month. Durham is the founder and president of Xcelente Trucking and Logistics Training Services in Memphis, Tennessee.
Following in the footsteps of her cousin and fiercely determined to dominate a male-populated industry, Durham attended trucking school and obtained her CDL. She was the only woman in her class at the time, as women were not widely accepted in these professions, but she knew she could do it like the guys – if not better.
Now, with more than 18 years of driving under her belt, Durham is fueled by her dedication to her community and is a firm believer in second chances. As a result, she is the first woman in the State of Tennessee to establish a CDL apprenticeship program specifically developed for women, youth, and justice-involved individuals.
“I’m a game changer and I focus on making a difference and changing lives,” said Durham. “My goal is to show people that whether you have been homeless or have been incarcerated, you can still have a rewarding career. You could say I’m like the underground mother of the trucking industry.”
Durham’s commitment to the empowerment of the next generation sparked the development of the first-ever youth trucking dispatcher and CDL program. The program is available to individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 and provides mentorship, job shadowing, and advanced skill building. In 2022, she received the Leaders and Legends award by the City of Memphis for these efforts.
She is also a member of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program.
Durham is creating a movement by training highly qualified drivers to meet the growing demand of the transportation industry. She encourages all women to have confidence in themselves and pursue a career in the trucking industry saying, “if you’re determined and you’ve decided this career path is what you want to do – just go for it. Set yourself up for success, stay focused, and accomplish your goals.”
