Hi! I'm Arielle Chambers. I am a Black woman walking in her purpose. I am an amplifier and voice of women’s sports. I am the founder of HighlightHER, Bleacher Report/Turner Sports’ platform dedicated to uplifting and empowering girls and women in sport and culture, inclusive of all ages, abilities, levels and sports. I am intentional in my coverage—women’s sports only. I am intentional in my inclusion, honoring trans girls, trans women and non-binary athletes playing in women’s leagues. Proudly born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, I grew up as a competitive cheerleader and volleyball player. I cheered at and graduated from North Carolina State University with a New Communication Media degree, and I studied English at the University of Oxford (UK). Post-graduation, I moved to New York and was a member of the game day entertainment team at Madison Square Garden, cheering for the New York Knicks (MNBA), Rangers (NHL), and Liberty (WNBA).; That's when I noticed the massive discrepancy in media coverage between men's and women's leagues—so I decided to be the change I wished to see. I took my love for the women’s game and used it to pave a path through the white space, dedicating my life to growing both the game and the path. Storytelling, with emphasis on the “underdog,” is my strength, on-camera and editorially. I was Connecticut Sun’s in-arena host and a writer for Fansided, The Next/IX, Sports Illustrated, and more. I currently serve as on-camera talent for Bleacher Report/Turner Sports. I co-host WNBA Weekly on NBATV and can frequently be found hosting sit-down interviews with athletes on HighlightHER, the WNBA, and Athletes Unlimited. I have been named to Forbes 30 Under 30 and Sports Illustrated’s 100 Influential Black Women, and I won the 2022 Dawn Staley Excellence in Broadcasting Award. Everything I do is about breaking barriers and creating space for other women and people of color. We belong in these spaces. We’re owed the opportunity to create, aspire, thrive. We ARE the culture. We ARE the blueprint. We deserve to actively pursue any and everything we dream AND THEN SOME.

Hi! My name is Asia Gholston and I’m a sports marketing executive who is passionate about the business of sports -- I also have a strong belief in sport’s unique ability to transcend differences and unite people. In my vertical, I focus on the power of media and great content to push sports and culture forward. I currently serve as the Senior Director of Marketing at the Jacksonville Jaguars where I oversee brand strategy, marketing operations, digital, social, branded entertainment, concerts & events, and design. Prior to joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, I was the Senior Integrated Marketing Manager at the National Football League. My professional background also includes stints with the NBA, L’Oréal, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and BET Networks. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and a proud Michigan State University alum, I earned my undergraduate degree from the university’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences. I’m a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and when I’m not in the office you can find me discovering new recipes, books, curating Spotify playlists, and being a mom to 8-month-old twins Maverick & Milo.

My name is Brantlee Fields, I am the Head of Athlete Partnerships at Twitter. I'm originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina but I live in the A. I'm also a world champion- thanks UGA and Atlanta Braves. I have a long history in the sports industry – having worked in athlete-focused roles across marketing, branding, and management over the past 8 years. Before I came to Twitter, I was the Vice President of Sports Marketing & Branding at QC Sports, a subsidiary of powerhouse record label Quality Control, where I was responsible for building their marketing strategy and creating their full-service sports agency. Before QC I spent time with a boutique agency Everett Sports Marketing where I worked as the Marketing Manager and sold the first-ever NFL Draft rights to Bleacher Report. At Twitter, I handle all things athletes- No I can't get you verified (I know a guy) but I work directly with leagues, agents, and athletes to help them utilize our products and platform as their direct form of communication with their fans. Beyond sports, which consumes my life, I enjoy wine, water and watching people of color thrive!

Hi, I’m Bri! - a storyteller and brand strategist at the intersection of sports, entertainment and culture. I define my personal brand by leading with integrity, celebrating diversity in all forms, being the person who gets it done and just remembering to have fun. I’m originally from Anaheim, CA and currently reside in Brooklyn, NY. Coming from a family of hoopers my love for the game and the culture that surrounds it, started at a very early age. My father played for the Dominican national team and my sisters played at the high school level. I was lucky enough to hold a collegiate career and carry the game into a professional setting long-term, which has been nothing short of a dream. As a Global Fan Marketing Manager, I focus on growing the fandom of the NBA. We do this by developing integrated marketing campaigns that deliver a consistent, seamless, fan-centric experience across all of our channels. Within my role I work across our major tentpoles, help to drive our campaign plans internationally and manage the relationships with our broadcast partners. The beauty of my team is that we are extremely cross-functional and integrated, giving us the ability to truly feel woven into the NBA’s DNA. It’s extremely engaging work for the best league in the world. To date, I’ve been able to work on a number of exciting projects across the league. Some of which include, managing two of the NBA’s first “Watch and Win” sweepstakes, driving key elements of our global influencer approach for All Star 2022 and developing our 75th Anniversary social franchise, “Memory Lane.” Prior to the NBA, I was immersed in various sports business capacities with stints at Wasserman and Under Armour, where I was responsible for driving integrated product marketing strategies at the high school, collegiate & NBA level. When I’m not in the office or behind my laptop, you can most certainly find me at a coffee shop going down a rabbit hole of old school and new school R&B. I also love to stay active. I'm looking to pick up tennis and boxing in my newest NY adventures.

Hey everyone! My name's Chanel & I'm currently a Digital Strategy & Innovation Coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens (say that 3 times fast). I work to expand our digital footprint using my creativity & new technologies. I'm very excited to dive deeper into AR Activations & the many ways that we can apply that to the sports world. I have an extensive list of projects that I'll be working on through the season, so be sure to check out the Ravens app to see some of the dope things that we're working on! So a little bit about my background now. Working in Football has always been my dream, you can say it's in my blood. I moved a lot growing up, so I like to say I'm from everywhere, but Maryland is my home. I attended the University of Missouri, majoring in Journalism - Strategic Communications. I loved how I could really make the major my own & take classes outside of traditional journalism. I also became involved with Mizzou Football & NABJ. Outside of my professional life, you'll find me trying new restaurants, watching anime, playing with my Husky, Sasha, or baking cookies. I also love a good Wine Night with the girls! Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn, I love a good chat!

Hi, my name is Ciara Ingram, and I'm a former college basketball player and the Associate Director of Video at Athletes Unlimited. I was born in Memphis, TN, and raised in West Memphis, AR. After receiving my B.A. in Mass Comm & Journalism from Lane College, an HBCU in Jackson, TN, I moved to New York City to pursue my passion for developing and sharing sports narratives through the art of filmmaking. Armed with a camera and subpar basketball skills, I began to frequent various iconic basketball courts throughout the five boroughs. Snapping pictures and playing pick-up with the locals in the community ultimately led to me landing a position at the iconic basketball magazine, SLAM. During my three years at SLAM, I worked as a video producer and contributed to the growth and coverage of their women's basketball vertical, WSLAM. In addition to my work at the magazine, I've collaborated with brands and companies such as the NBA's G League, Moolah Kicks, and Nike to help produce original visual narratives and creative content for their online platforms. I find inspiration for my work from the world around me. I'm looking forward to building on my career by continuing to discover and deliver narratives centered around sports culture and women athletes for larger platforms and audiences.

Hi my name is Daniel Mogg! I'm an Emmy award winning creative professional with 10+ years of working in digital, television and film. I specialize in growing talent and brand’s followings through social media, branded campaigns and digital video storytelling. I've been fortunate to cover the following sporting events: The Olympic Games, 4 Super Bowls, The Stanley Cup Finals, March Madness Tournament. As Chief Creative Officer of West2East Productions, I've executed Russell Wilson branded campaigns for companies such as Alaska Airlines, Nike Football and Amazon. I also lead the content team that has grown Russell's social media following to one of the most followed players in the NFL. Baseball was my sport growing up and I played collegiate baseball at the University of Tampa. My dad was a former PGA golfer so my sports roots and competitiveness runs deep. I'm honored to represent my Filipino heritage as a Creator of Color and hope to inspire others to chase their sports content dreams! When I'm not working you can find me dining with my wife Laney, on the golf course or reading a solid book. Follow me on Instagram @DanielJMogg and Twitter @DJMOGG

I am Esther Wallace, founder, CEO and Creative Director of Playa Society – an independent streetwear brand bridging the gap for women’s sports. I’m from the birthplace of basketball, Springfield, MA, but I didn’t hoop or play any sports at all until I was a sophomore in high school. I was an art nerd way before I became an athlete (because of a lack of exposure to women’s sports). Fortunately, after doing two-a-days every day, I earned a Division I basketball scholarship within my first 2-years of hooping in high school, then went on to play and coach overseas in England. I thought I would coach forever, but “representation and recognition” became my priorities and I started to explore ways to use design and storytelling as a catalyst for athletes like me. I worked full-time in marketing in Boston, MA while establishing Playa Society, which officially launched in 2018. WNBA players were the first to support me – the same exact players who first inspired me to play. Now, I get to design for the women I looked up to, and the league that fueled my growth as both an athlete and an entrepreneur. Team Playa Society is growing, but one thing will always remain constant, and that is putting the stories of underrepresented athletes at the forefront of what we create. Keep up by following @playasociety on Instagram.

My name is J Alexander Diaz, Creative Director for the Los Angeles Lakers. As a second-generation Filipino-American born and raised in Southern California, I learned to appreciate the cultural diversity of Los Angeles very early on in my life. My love for art and basketball was shaped by the city I was raised in. For as long as I can remember, these are the two things that I’ve been most passionate about in my life. My earliest memories consist of me with either a basketball or sketchbook in hand. And I didn’t realize it then, but pursuing a design career in sports has always made perfect sense. It was in California State University Long Beach where I studied design, branding, and advertising, earning my BFA in graphic design. I began my career in sports as an intern for the Los Angeles Lakers, a childhood dream of mine. Eventually, I worked to become the team’s first ever graphic designer. Simultaneously, I also continued to sharpen my creative eye as a team photographer, capturing unforgettable moments on the biggest stage. For the past decade, I have continued doing my dream work for an incredible organization. The experience I’ve garnered through the years has awarded me the chance to not only produce rewarding work, but it has also given me the opportunity to lead and guide other creatives in their respective journeys. I love to create, I love helping others reach new heights, and I believe that through a combination of hard work, perseverance, and opportunity, success should always be within reach. My hope is that I can in some way help other minority marketers and content creators continue to create amazing work and grow its community. Connect with me on Instagram + Twitter: @jdeez

Hi, my name is John Martinez and I am the Art Director for TickPick. I grew up in the Dominican Republic and started playing baseball at a young age, which I continued to do after moving to NYC. Living in the inner city as a young Latino of immigrant parents, I was exposed to many different experiences that taught me a lot about myself but also about the culture and diversity of the city. One of the many things I was exposed to was street art and graffiti, which sparked my interest in design and inspired me to seek a creative career. Still in love with baseball and sports in general, I seeked out to build a creative career based around sports and entertainment. I was fortunate to be able to receive a higher education in the fields of Graphic Design and Sports Management and work directly in my passion. This led me to an opportunity at Sharingbox, where I was able to work with some of the most iconic sports brands in the world such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok and even FIFA to create unique experiences for fans and users to bring these brands to an even higher level. Now with TickPick I am able to lead the Brand Marketing initiatives to develop the company and become one of the leaders in the live event industry. I am proud of the impact I have in pushing the envelope with our creativity and I hope to give others the opportunity to do the same!

Hi, my name is Jose Rey and I’m the Director of Creative Services for the New York Jets and first-generation Cuban American. I manage the in-house design team responsible for the Jets brand identity, expression, and execution across all verticals of the organization. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to learn our business from the ground up, starting as a design & photography intern. I’ve had a front-row seat to the growth of our industry and helped shape the development of our organization’s creative department. As I’ve grown with the Jets organization, I’ve had the opportunity to drive the creative vision on new social platforms, technologies, and club and stadium activations. Working alongside a supportive family at the Jets I’ve been entrusted as a steward of our brand and collaborated with the NFL, Nike, and our partners to implement the 2019 logo and uniform rebrand. Outside of my day-to-day role I serve as a member of our organizations Social Justice Diversity and Inclusion Team, which helps steer the club’s social justice efforts. In 2020, we partnered with four organizations, All Stars Project, Innocence Project, New York Urban League and Year Up, all who share the goal of reducing barriers and creating opportunities for individuals in need. As a New Jersey native I take pride in being the brand steward of a historic and storied local franchise that also strives to give back to my hometown.

Hi, my name is Kaila Pettis, more commonly known as "KP." I was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, and no I'm not a fan of deep dish pizza (Italian Fiesta has my heart). From scribbling friends' names onto trapper keepers during class to filming music videos for local artists, I've always been enamored with creating things. And as a former athlete (because my knee just refused to let me be great), I've always been drawn to sports. I found myself working as an Industrial Designer during the day, and spending my nights creating sports graphics, highlight reels and branding packages for all of my friends that went on to play professionally. I became determined to combine the two things I loved: sports and design — So I quit my job, and haven't looked back since. I spent the next few years of my life working for Top 25 NCAA Division I programs, Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Football League (NFL). Driven by the opportunity to use design as a platform to inspire others, I co-founded LCKR ROOM in 2020 with Britt Davis. We pledged to utilize our time, skillsets and resources to bring awareness and access to creative careers and elevate minority owned and operated businesses. In 2021, I joined FC Cincinnati (MLS), where I became the first black female Creative Director in professional sports. I am currently the Sr. Director of Brand and Digital Content for FC Cincinnati where I strive to elevate our brand and cultivate the talent within our team. Feel free to connect with me on the internet @KPology1.

Hi, I’m Kat Marquez! I am a Bay Area native and proud USC Trojan (fight on!). My father immigrated to the United States from the Philippines shortly before I was born and I watched as he learned American culture by way of Jerry Rice and the San Francisco 49ers. Naturally, this served as my entrypoint to sports fandom and its power as the great equalizer. I began my career in sports as in intern with the LA Clippers, went on to work at Endeavor (fka IMG) managing Kia’s sponsorship of the NBA and endorsement deal with LeBron James, joined the Facebook and Instagram Sports team, and now sit on the TikTok Sports Team managing league, team and property relationships. In my role, I consult sports partners on ways to optimize their TikTok strategy, show up in ways unexpected, and ultimately find new fans on the platform. Along this journey, I have been fortunate to learn from some of the best in the business, all who have challenged me to think differently, engage my curiosity, and most importantly, to deliver meaningful change in the sports industry. In my free time, I love playing tennis and endeavoring in my pursuit to find the best orange wine in all of LA county (recommendations welcome!). To learn more, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquezkathleen/

Hey, I’m Kelsey Roa! I am a first generation Colombian and Irish from Poughkeepsie, NY. I am a Sports Marketing professional passionate about developing brands as well as driving meaningful fan interactions, marketing platforms and revenue for some of the largest sports brands in the world. After a series of internships including that with the USTA, I began my full-time journey with them marketing for the US Open. I then transitioned to focusing more on promoting Community Tennis programs to new and diverse audiences. For the past three years, I have been with Soccer United Marketing, which is the commercial arm of Major League Soccer (MLS). I am currently on the Match Business team as the Marketing Manager where I execute branding, marketing, ticket sales, and data capture strategies for properties such as the Mexican National Team, Concacaf Gold Cup, Leagues Cup and more. A recent career highlight is marketing international soccer matches in 8 out of the 10 U.S. markets selected to host a match for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Another highlight would be in 2021 promoting a majority of the top attended soccer matches in the U.S. This encompasses Mexican National Team and Gold Cup matches with 70,000+ fans, including the first sell-out sporting event in the new Allegiant Stadium for the 2021 Gold Cup Final. Currently, I am marketing events like the first-ever soccer match at SoFi Stadium, serving on our Latinx & LGBTQ+ ERGs, planning my wedding to my fiancé and playing in a rec basketball league near you! Feel free to connect with me on Instagram (@KelseyRoa) or LinkedIn!

Hey! I am Khadija Campbell, but most people know me as Kiki. I am a proud American-Jamaican who disrupted the Sports industry with my ambition, perseverance, and purpose. I am a spiritual being, a music lover, a daughter, a sister, and a friend who is the Manager of Integrated Marketing at THINK450 – the innovation and partnership engine of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). As a former high-level collegiate basketball player, I had an injury that pushed me to rethink my life goals and figure out how to continue being around the game differently. Throughout my career, I've been blessed to create a network of peers and mentors to help guide my journey. As a black woman working at THINK450, I feel my values align with the organization's mission. I take pride in being able to creatively tell the players' stories through content and activations that are purposeful, authentic, and unique to who they are off the court. I am very proud of the work that we’ve accomplished to date, such as launching our NBPA 450 Gives holiday initiative, creating partnerships with our players that support minority-owned businesses, and creating content and new programming for one of the most iconic landmarks in NYC (Rucker Park) and more. Before my journey to the NBPA, I spent five years working at the Madison Square Garden Company across all three professional basketball teams; Westchester Knicks, New York Knicks, and the New York Liberty. While at MSG, I had various roles, such as Coordinator of Fan Development/Group Sales, Manager of Business Operations, and Manager of Youth Engagement and Fan Development. During my last season with the NY Knicks, I led the efforts to rebuild their grassroots youth platform, which included reshaping their relationship within NYC grassroots basketball culture and creating a social media marketing campaign to promote and highlight the Jr. Knicks Coach of the Year award program which is still an integral part of the organization to date. My passion for the game extends far beyond a job position. That is why I dedicate time to working with non-profit organizations, such as Dyckman Basketball and New Heights in NY, and teach as a part-time professor at Rider University in New Jersey. I not only support these organizations through a business lens but most importantly, by showing up for the student-athletes. My goal is to inspire as many kids as possible who look like me as a reminder of how they, too, can create their own opportunities. Queens made me but the Bronx raised me, and I will always be proud to call the Bronx, NY home. Don't hesitate to connect with me IG @Sameolki24.

What's up y'all? My name is K.J. Hammond and I am the Manager of Game Production & Content Operations at Overtime. I was born and raised on Long Island, NY before heading north to Ithaca for college where I fell in love with making television. My original plan to start in front of the camera was stalled by unanswered job applications and a reluctance to move to Bumbleduck, USA, so I pivoted to behind the scenes. Since then, I've produced over 500 sporting events for various streaming platforms, made two seasons of a TV show that aired on MSG Network, and even taught a college class on live production. Now at Overtime, I have the pleasure of combining my passions of working with young men with dreams of making it to the NBA and producing basketball games for YouTube (subscribe @OTE). To learn more about me and what I do or to just connect and talk about anything under the sun, reach out on social @_kjhammond.

Hi, my name is Mariah Bailey, a New Media Partner Manager for the NBA and WNBA. I was born in East Harlem, New York as the youngest of 4 and the only girl in a die-hard Knicks family. Growing up, I attended camp every summer where I developed my love for sports and the camaraderie and community it brings. I attended Boston University where I majored in Business before pursuing my career in new and emerging media. In my work with the NBA and WNBA, I appreciate seeing the projects I manage being enjoyed by fans in real time on social media. Having the opportunity to work with many of the major social companies has pushed me to be innovative in the ways we connect back to the NBA platforms. When I’m not finding new ways to connect with our fans, I’m cooking a delicious meal to share with friends. Like work, I enjoy being innovative and creative when it comes to food!

Hello! My name is Mark Kim and I currently work as a Social Engagement Manager at The Athletic. I am the son of South Korean immigrants and spent most of my life growing up in metro Detroit and the Chicago suburbs. I fell in love with sports after attending my first Pistons game as a kid and the decision to pursue a media career was easy when I realized my growth spurt would never arrive. But it wasn’t until college that I combined my love for sports with my tendency to be Extremely Online. While working towards a career in local TV, I discovered my passion for sports social and the trends around it, initially to bolster my broadcast work. I’d regularly stay late after newscasts to upload highlights I’d shot to Vine and began engaging online with local athletes and the Mizzou sports community in my free time. It wasn’t until after graduation that I decided to switch to pursuing a career in the digital sports space. After a year of freelance side gigs, I’d eventually landed my first full-time job on ESPN’s social team. During my time in Bristol, I developed my strengths in content creation, digital strategy and creative ideation while getting opportunities to co-lead NFL coverage and work on-site with College GameDay. Now at The Athletic, I use those skills to help grow the company’s online presence and reach new audiences through my work on and off social feeds. In addition to my day job, I’m also involved in the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), specifically with the Sports Task Force. When I’m off the clock, I’m either buying too many sneakers, playing around with my camcorder or scrolling Tik Tok until 2 AM. You can find me there and on Twitter at @MarkJKim_.

Hello, my name is Mark Nelson. I’m a 24 year old Japanese-American motion and graphic designer. I’m currently working at Sorare, a NFT startup at the intersection of fantasy sports, card collecting, and crypto. So far, I’ve co-designed Sorare’s new 2022-23 cards, created a MLBTV commercial, helped fundraise over $130k to support humanitarian relief in Ukraine, and am continuing to build the future of sports collectibles. Before joining Sorare at the start of 2022, I worked at ESPN, where I designed and created high-level social media posts to celebrate the biggest athletes and moments in sports. I’m a firm believer in diversifying sports coverage and showcasing not just the biggest male sports, but expanding fan awareness of up-and-coming athletes, sports, and important social issues. During my time at ESPN, I led our team to use our platform to expand our coverage of women’s sports and speak up for social change. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to either freelance or directly work for the following brands: GoDucks, Sacramento Kings, Boras Corp, Blake Jamieson, Omaha Productions, Sony Music, Verizon, and more. During my freetime, you can find me hanging out with my wife Molly, walking our mini goldendoodle puppy named Chewie, or exploring the great Pacific Northwest. Feel free to connect with me on Twitter @MarkNelsonMedia.

My name is Mengyang, I’m a Chinese marketing professional who works for the Brooklyn Nets leading our China business. I grew up in Beijing, China, completed my undergraduate studies there and came to the United States to pursue my master’s degree in Sports Management at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I started to watch the NBA when I was 10 years old, and at the age of 15, I wrote an essay about my future career. In that essay I wrote down “… I want to work for an NBA team as a general manager one day…” Fast forward to today, I am now the manager of China Marketing Strategy at Brooklyn Nets, leading a department to develop strategic plans and relationships that connect with our Chinese fans locally and overseas. I’m very grateful for the great opportunity I have working for the Brooklyn Nets and BSE Global, where I’m able to lead a team to make Chinese culture shine in the NBA world - not only through digital media & content but also achieving goals across other functions including partnerships, premium development, ticket sales and community events in the China market and the local Chinese community in New York City. Before joining the Nets, I was an NBA reporter covering games and producing all-access shows featuring many notable NBA players for Chinese fans. While I gained valuable experience in media & production during my journalism career, I’m very blessed to have my current role to grow within the marketing and revenue-driving side of the business. I would love to connect with younger people who dream of working in the NBA, especially those coming from a different cultural background, and share more about my experience. Feel free to contact me on LinkedIn!

My name is Mike Martin and I am a freelance sports media professional currently residing in Atlanta, GA. My passion for basketball and travel got me started on this journey and I haven't looked back since. In 2017 I picked up a camera for the first time and began documenting the lives of professional basketball players living abroad. I created a few series titled: Just A Kid From Sicklerville, EuroLeague Rooks, and The Players Podcast, where I'm able to give fans an inside look at some of their favorite players. These projects took me to multiple countries including Greece, Israel, Lithuania, Montenegro, Russia, and Spain. When I left my hometown of Sicklerville, NJ and moved to Atlanta in 2019 I knew I had to continue in this field. I was fortunate enough to get connected with a production manager at Turner Sports within a month of me living in the city. Since stepping foot in the building I've been able to join the crew of Emmy Award winning show, Inside the NBA, and have been able to work on numerous shoots for Warner Bros Discovery, Turner Sports, NBA TV, and Bleacher Report. I've also been able to witness first hand how major sporting events like NBA Opening Night, MLB Postseason, All Star Weekend, NCAA Final Four, The Match, and NBA/NHL Conference Finals are brought to life for viewers at home. You can also catch me at Overtime Elite shooting baseline cameras for the next generation of talented hoopers. I'm looking forward to what the future has in store! Follow me on IG: @mmartjr23

Hello! My name is Mohamed Bafakih and I'm the Social Content & Community Lead for @Buckets. I get to create content for millions of basketball fans around the world every day across social for Buckets, a Wave Sports + Entertainment brand. We share the same fandom, the same passion and the same emotions for the game. They might not know who is behind it, but it brings me great joy to cultivate an inclusive community that’s obsessed with basketball as much as I am. My journey started in Yemen where I was born, then I moved to the United States at age 5 and spent most of my years in Bakersfield, California. I began wanting to be a sports writer in middle school, but watching the industry evolve, so did my interest within it. From print, it led to broadcast and then ultimately gravitated toward digital. My family wasn’t always supportive of it (traditional ‘go be a doctor, lawyer, engineer’ parents), but to me it was always about turning my passion into a profession. After community college, I made the move to the San Francisco Bay Area where I graduated from San Jose State University in Journalism & Mass Communication. Upon graduation, I took a freelance editorial job with Pac-12 Network and was interning for a startup. That startup — Wave Sports + Entertainment (formerly WAVE.tv) — is now one of the largest sports media companies in the world. This journey has been exciting, challenging and rewarding, but I’m constantly motivated by being at the forefront of this evolving industry, from the trends to the memes to the next app to take the world by storm.

My name is Neil Hegde and I'm the Director of Player Engagement and Business Development at THINK450, the marketing and innovation arm of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for the intersection between sports, business, and culture. Originally a kid from the Midwest, I played basketball at the club level in college at The Ohio State University. Upon graduating, I actually had the chance to continue playing in India (where my family immigrated to the US from) before returning home to spend the first several years of my career in finance at companies like JPMorgan Chase. In 2018 I moved to New York City to chase my childhood dream of working in professional basketball after receiving an amazing opportunity from the NBPA. During these past four years I have helped drive value through leading strategic efforts connected to game-changing partnerships, asset developments, and player programs. As a part of my current role, I also support our multi-million dollar licensing and brand partner portfolios by working directly with our players and their business teams to activate as a part of these relationships. I'm most proud of the collaborations and platforms that I've built to amplify minority-led businesses, and look forward to continuing to positively impact hoops culture and fellow creators of color through my work. Honored and excited to be a part of this year's Creators of Color class!

Hello everyone! My name is Raichele Privette and I am an Audio Producer and Host for SB Nation’s top Philadelphia Eagles fan community, Bleeding Green Nation. I am responsible for overseeing the audio production and social media for our ten podcasts in addition to hosting two weekly podcasts, Above the Nest with Raichele and The QB Factory Reboot. I was born and raised in Annapolis, MD and grew up a Baltimore Ravens fan and Maryland blue crab lover. My love of sports stems from my childhood. My earliest memory is my mother teaching my brothers and me how to dribble and shoot in the driveway. During my sophomore year in college I was granted the opportunity to travel with the football team at Hampton University as a videographer and sideline reporter. I did not realize it then but that opportunity truly helped to propel my career into the sports media industry. After graduating from Hampton University, I interned at ESPN, with the Washington Redskins and D.C. United. During my Masters program at Georgetown University I freelanced at NBC Sports Washington and worked as a sideline reporter for the University of Maryland Men’s basketball team. In my current role I pride myself in being a bridge for bringing a minority females perspective to a male dominated field. Find me @raichelemonique on social media!

Hi! I'm Sarina Soriano and I'm the first Latina Senior Producer for the San Francisco 49ers. I was born and raised in San Jose, California and have always been passionate and involved in sports. Growing up I always loved watching the 49ers play on Sunday with my family but my first love was soccer. Soccer led me to New Jersey where I played on a scholarship and pursued my degree in Communications, Spanish and Sports Management at Caldwell University. After college, I accepted the Denise DeBartolo York Fellowship opportunity where I was placed in 6 departments where women are underrepresented. One year later, 49ers Studios hired me to create content for the San Francisco 49ers website and social media channels. My team and I film on game days, edit player highlights, player features and all things 49ers football related. Additionally, I was a huge part in building our Spanish Broadcast team and work with them weekly to create Spanish content for our beloved fans. My love for sports and cameras has taken me all over the world. During the offseason I am able to work with business owners, entrepreneurs, athletes, and families helping them share their unique stories. Through my art, I strive to capture the beauty and resiliency of the human spirit. Lastly, I hope to inspire women to pursue their passions regardless of whatever box society tries to place us in based on the way we look. You can achieve your dreams with hard work and by being 100 percent authentic to yourself.

Hi I'm Sean Yoo, I'm a Korean-American creative producer based out of Los Angeles but I bleed New Jersey and will rep it till the day I die. My love for sports and especially the desire to work in sports started out in high school, where I began calling games for my school's TV station. Fortunately for me at the time, our high school's football team was state champion 4 years in a row. That allowed me to experience calling championship level games at a NFL stadium from an early age. From there, I knew I wanted to work in sports which led me to pursue a degree in communications at Ithaca College. I cherish my time spent at Ithaca because it redirected my career into producing. I spent my time learning and understanding how everything in a production works while also falling in love with the idea of helping on-air talent become better. After graduating I spent time as a PA for Olbermann on ESPN, where I got to watch and learn from one of the best reporters and anchors in sports TV. Eventually I moved to LA to work for The Ringer which was one of the best experiences of my career. Not only was I able to shift into the digital publication world, but I was also able to gain exposure for myself. Now I'm currently at Wave Sports+Entertainment, where I use all that knowledge and experience to help build and grow our original programming. I focus mainly on the NBA/WNBA beat and work with young talent to polish their skills and performance. Being a Korean-American in this industry is something I take pride in but at the end of the day I want to be recognized not as a "creator of color" but as a creator period. Everyday I'm trying to be my authentic self and providing the platform for others to do the same.

Hey, sumflowers! Summer Sevilla here, a proud Filipino digital marketer, content creator, and musician based in Los Angeles, CA. As the Social Media and Community Manager for Esports Engine, I bridge my passion for marketing with my love of video games. I am proud to be managing social media accounts and communities for multiple international esports brands and major game publishers. Growing up in both the Philippines and the US has allowed me to leverage my unique perspective and experience to bring authenticity and empathy to brands. My personal brand is built around the motto “Walk in Love.” In all that I do or create, compassion, positivity, and inclusion are foundational values for me and my community. I organize quarterly competitive tournaments and host weekly all-women game nights to provide a safe space for gamers of all backgrounds. As a content creator and a female in a male-dominated space, ensuring that underrepresented voices are heard and supported is a mission of mine. I strive to inspire and encourage people of color to continue to make a difference in their space. When I’m not working or gaming, you’ll find me with a guitar or ukulele in hand, making music. Listen to my song “Sunflower” by Summer is Live on Spotify, catch my live streams at twitch.tv/summerislive, connect with me on twitter: @summerislive, and most importantly always, Walk in Love!

My name is Tiandra Williams, I live in Las Vegas however, I was born and raised in Dallas-Fort Worth Texas. I have been working in the sports and entertainment industry for about seven years. As a former DI women’s basketball player, arena football player, and enthusiast of the art, mindset, and storytelling behind sport; I knew I wanted to be in this industry. I began working in sports as a sports marketing intern, sports columnist, and broadcast producer while getting my undergraduate and Master’s Degrees. I started my professional career from the grassroots as an adidas’ Field Marketer. Since then, I have consulted for and/or partnered with notable brands such as: PlayStation, MGM Resort International, Google, Mastercard, the National Women’s Soccer League, and ABinBev; all with the goal of connecting brands with their audiences through engaging experiences and media consulting. Within all of these opportunities, I have been passionate about advocating for and the representation of people of color and women in sports. While it’s important to make an impact with big brands, I always try to work with a nonprofit organization that teaches valuable life skills to kids through sport; such as the Ovie Mughelli Foundation and First Tee of Atlanta. In the long term, I hope to keep fostering change, finding and telling immersive sports stories, and be able to uplift those up to not only get a seat at the table but do so as their most authentic self.

Hi I'm Trebor and as I grew up on the Far Eastside of Indianapolis, I always had ambitions and goals to be a pioneer in the sports and entertainment business. In 2015, I graduated as the Salutatorian of my high school and came to Notre Dame's campus as the first student from Indianapolis to receive the prestigious Bill & Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarship. Thanks to my village of family, coaches and mentors, I went on to be a first-generation college student and graduated in 2019 with a B.B.A in Marketing, a B.A. in Media Studies, and a minor in Asian studies. I took full advantage of all four years at Notre Dame by honing into my passion for sports, music and community engagement. I served as President of the Black Student Association, was an active member of Wabruda, ran a weekly show at the campus radio station and was a marketing intern for Notre Dame Women's Basketball. As a minor in Asian studies, I spent two summers in China and Japan studying sports and entertainment culture. Upon graduation, I relocated to New York City to start my career working in brand partnerships at leading sports media company, Overtime. I currently help build and activate brand partnerships for Overtime's newest venture Overtime Elite, the first U.S. based pro league for elite high-school aged athletes. My biggest impact has been working with Gatorade, State Farm and Meta to deliver on Overtime Elite's promise of pro basketball development, elite academic acceleration and global content experiences. In addition to working with some of the biggest brands in the world, I volunteer with the Dropping Dimes Foundation assisting retired athletes from the ABA, am a member of SEEN (Sports & Entertainment Equity Network) and co-lead community engagement as a member of Overtime's DEI board.

Hi, I’m Victoria. I’m a Content Strategist, Brand Manager, and Creative Producer. My passion for sports and culture and dedication to my work has allowed me to be the voice behind some of the biggest brands in sports. Currently, that’s NBA on TNT and NBA TV. Football is my first love. Before joining the army of producers (shoutout to KD), I led social with the Packers, NC State Football, and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. I'm passionate about a lot of things. At the top of the list is sharing my platform with underrepresented voices in sports. I've done that by founding and leading the Oscar Pope Lift Every Voice Fellowship at Turner Sports. Each year, we host one student journalist of color at our major basketball events (NBA Opening Night, NBA All-Star, Men's CBB Final Four) and have them do an on-air interview during our pregame coverage. Off the court and outside the office, I am a connoisseur of wine, hoops, plants and kicks. My shoe game is second to none (except maybe PJ Tucker). Let's kick on social! You can follow me @victoriamcbryde on Twitter and Instagram.