We recently connected with Sharon Braxton and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Sharon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?
In the front offices of professional sports and entertainment, Black American people often encounter systemic challenges that hinder their work experience and overall career progression. However, I remain hopeful that it will change. We are typically underrepresented in middle to senior decision-making positions within professional sports and entertainment organizations. The lack of diversity and input limits a much-needed perspective.
We face the challenges of isms, which often lead to limited access to professional networks needed for career growth. When we take the liberty to be our intelligent and talented selves, we influence the world. One may not have orchestrated exactly what we do in those moments. However, the world will still watch, dissect, admire, and take notes, i.e. Kendrick Lamar and his multiple powerful messages with a viewership of 133 million, becoming the most-watched performance in the history of the Super Bowl and showing his respect and admiration with a guest appearance from legendary tennis player and olympic gold medalist, Serena Williams, who crip walked on stage effortlessly sending a message of, this is what happens when you have the freedom to flow with the current of the ocean and just BE!
Black women face negative stereotypes, biases, and microaggressions that question our competence and leadership abilities, which can result in high levels of scrutiny in comparison to our counterparts, and fewer opportunities to move around in the company. Educated Black Americans need corporate support to elevate and are not asking for a handout.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I come from a distinguished family of entertainers, and I would say that my inspirational influence reverberates through both the professional sports and entertainment industries. I have authored four books, Skin In The Game: Black Buying Power in Pro Sports & Entertainment being the latest book. This time, I delve into the critical importance of diversity, the essential role of women in leadership positions, and the profound impact of Black Americans’ trillion-dollar buying power in America, which includes ticket sales in sports, movies, and music. I discuss my family in entertainment, love for humanity, inspirational leadership, collaboration, understanding when to compete, and how Black Americans influence the world.
I have had a lot of sleepless nights in my extensive career. However, the highs outweigh the lows. A highlight was my role in the leadership team in football, where I made history by being one of the first to work with NFL players and fans present during Super Bowl 56 in 2022. I managed a team of over 60 staffers who provided a memorable experience and abided by my playbook, which states: “Anyone who walks through those doors is connected to someone that loves them, treat them accordingly,” recognized by the Walt Disney World Sports company as one of the “Top National Promotions Managers in the U.S,” and constructed Polaroid’s first professional sports deal with Major League Soccer (MLS). I am grateful that my experience extends globally, having worked in Kuwait City, hired to teach local professionals about branding strategies and marketing, as well as a speaker to students discussing their likeness as a brand and the importance of inspirational leadership in Trinidad & Tobago and Africa.
My resume resembles the United Nations and I love it! I truly welcome the diversity. My accolades include a credit on The Infamous Times – The Original 50 Cent platinum DVD, serving as LA committee PR Co-Chair for the Olympic Black Legends Reunion, and developing marketing and promotional campaigns for artists like Cher, Madonna, Yolanda Adams, Missy Elliot, The Braxtons, The Backstreet Boys, Donnie McClurkin, Eric Benet, EnVogue, and Busta Rhymes. My contributions to the music industry earned me the Tommy Boy Sales Award, Warner/Elektra/Atlantic longevity award, and numerous other recognitions.
I graduated with honors in Project Management from UCLA in 2022, which was a school on my bucket list. I completed Crying Shame, my first novel at Harvard University after starting it at Columbia University, and later embarked on a life-changing 15-city Center Stage Radio and Book Tour, which sold out at Barnes and Noble in New York and Borders in Los Angeles. My college education and love for music grew at Northeastern University in Boston, where my friends in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated helped me obtain my FCC license so I could become an On-Air Personality and later the Music Director at WRBB Radio Station. I was a hard worker, persistent, talented, determined, talkative, and confident. I have always had an unwavering amount of passion for professional sports and how it teaches us many life lessons. It has cemented my reputation as a leader guided by a strong moral compass and steadfast values. I truly believe that my leadership and insights continue to shape the future of professional sports and entertainment, emphasizing the crucial role of diversity and Black American influence as it pertains to the world.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My position is contingent upon people and extracurricular activities. I know that professional sports bring people together. The entire world shut down during covid-19. After being in shock, I knew I needed to pivot. I could not pay my bills based on what became an antiquated mindset. In addition, my brother was going into the hospital, and everyone knew this was a horrible time to be getting any type of medical procedure. I was up late at night thinking about how I could help my brother, a former athlete be at his maximum health before surgery! I started a successful seamoss business and got the three products into a store. I knew my products were in demand when a consumer tasted the banana pudding seamoss and ate the entire jar in one sitting, despite one is only supposed to consume two tablespoons per day. The mixed berry, banana pudding, and plain seamoss sold out at the grand opening, and weekly for a year and a half. I was truly amazed and very humbled by the fans and success.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The main lesson that I had to unlearn is understanding that Hollywood has a different definition of working hard. Listen and learn. Katt Williams said it best, “everything will be revealed.” What is done in the dark will eventually come to the light. It is okay to say no to behaviors that do not align with your spirit and attempt to suck your energy dry. Everyone has a superpower. Tap into it. Honor it. Protect it. Celebrate it. Share it.
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