In the spirit of Black History Month, we find ourselves reflecting on the past, celebrating achievements, and acknowledging the struggles that have paved the way for progress.
This month, we embark on a unique journey through the lens of Black sports executives who have not only shattered glass ceilings but have also accumulated a wealth of wisdom along the way. As we sit down with these trailblazers, we're privileged to share their invaluable insights and career lessons—a collection of advice they would offer to their younger selves.
This is not just a collection of stories; it's a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of representation in every corner of the sports industry.
💡 Don't forget to register for our upcoming virtual workshop hosted by these very leaders - register here!
Advice from Nicole Britenriker
The Cliché’s Are Real –Adopt Them Now.
Fifteen-plus years. Almost two decades. I believe I can officially claim the term, sports industry veteran. The things that I choose to intentionally consume now and the things that I am gradually trying to unlearn, are what I’d want my younger self to know. So, we’ll begin with something I’ve always hated (stay with me), and those are clichés. I have learned that clichés, aphorisms, and quotes are often meaningful true, despite the overuse or corniness that may come with it. Below are life applications, as life transcends our careers.
A cliché is a phrase or element of an artistic work that has become overused and lost its original meaning. Clichés are often idioms, or common phrases, that do not have literal meanings.
A few examples:
· "Don't judge a book by its cover"
· "Fake it till you make it"
· "Think outside the box"
· "All that glitters isn't gold"
· "Grab the bull by the horns"
A few clichés, quotes, and aphorisms that I’d advise my younger self to embrace and revisit often:
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
All the challenges are working together to set you up to be a better, informed, prepared, and stronger version of yourself.
Find and hold onto your unstoppable self. Not the whittled-down version of yourself.
Your intuition is there for a reason. Use it when it’s activated.
“You only live once.” – Mae West
Align your life, your actions, your choices, people, and how you spend your time with what makes you happy.
Always create and play by your own rules. The rest of the world’s rules are all made up anyway.
Remember who the hell you are, as often as you need the reminder.
“Success isn't about how your life looks to others.” – Michelle Obama
You can do whatever you want to in this life!
You can reinvent yourself again and again and again.
Don’t stop learning and question what you think you know.
Unlearn and unbecome what’s restricting you – You aren’t meant to be bound by society’s norms.
“People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime” - Brian A. “Drew” Chalker
Choose your environment and your circle of people intentionally and expect that circle to change.
Appreciate small interactions and long-term relationships, as they are teaching you something about the world and about yourself.
Separation is natural.
💡 Interested in working with sports industry veteran and career coach Nicole Britenriker to elevate your career to the next level? Click here to sign up for a 1:1 Career Coaching session to add her to your personal support team. 🚀
Advice from Trinity Monteiro
To Trinity - Girl you wouldn't believe where we have made it and you certainly wouldn't believe the people we have met, the projects we have worked on, the companies we have worked for, or the rooms that we have been in so far. However, I promise you we did not get here without some bullsh*t along the way.
One of my favorite stories is when you were sitting in on a public speaking presentation led by a company HR rep and they stated that MLK's "I have a dream speech" was less than 500 words and yes, of course she was white. You sat in disbelief as not one person questioned it or corrected her and it irked your soul so badly that you had to write her an email. You attached a copy of the entire speech and explained why this misinformation only contributed to the erasure of not only Black history but American history. You pressed send and accepted the fact that your reputation at that company could be ruined, but I am here to tell you that first off, you're so dramatic. Secondly and most importantly, keep speaking the truth and for what's right, because guess what? She responded and thanked you for reaching out because she had been giving that same presentation for three years and no one ever said anything. Keep being the one who refuses to stay silent. Don't let ignorance and anger get the best of you, but keep leading with grace and professionalism, because the right people will appreciate it more than you know.
That certainly won't be the last time you feel stuck between doing what you feel is right and wanting to make it in this industry. You are going to be told things like "I'm not racist, I hired a Black coach" or "We don't want someone who's going to come in and try to be innovative. We want someone who is going to listen and do what they're told." You are going to be asked things such as "What do you do other than DEI" although your resume clearly displays examples of critical thinking and experiences in corporate partnerships, program management, community engagement, fundraising and so much more. Keep going because, for every ignorant comment, there is an army of people rooting for you, and know that it is okay to walk away from opportunities that are not right for you even when you are early in your career and just hungry for experience. Better is coming.
Lastly, don't undermine yourself. When you feel lost or behind, always remember that people are watching you in awe. There will be plenty of times when others say things like "She is so lucky" or "She can have whatever job she wants" or "Any company would be lucky to have her." Take the compliments, but also remind them that luck had very little to do with it. Let them know that behind the success were many failures, several closed doors, and even more hours of email writing, resume revision, interview prep, and even a couple of tears over a glass (or several) of wine of course when you got older. The road ahead is going to be full of things you didn't know you were capable of and you're built for it, but it is not always going to feel like that. No surprise, you are often going to be in many rooms when you are the only one, but remember there is a reason why you are there and next time you are in that room, bring a friend.
None of this is to undermine the disappointment you will feel when you get rejected after that 6th interview round you thought you had in the bag or the stress you feel deciding between being Black and proud and toning it down just a bit to get your foot in the door. This is not to take away any of those feelings, but a letter to remind us that you are a hall of famer of your own in the making.
💡 Interested in working with Trinity to elevate your career to the next level? Click here to sign up for a 1:1 Career Coaching session to add her to your personal support team. 🚀
Advice from Antonio Williams
I certainly wish that I leaned into this lesson in the early stages of my career. A high level of competition permeates the job market in the sports industry, given the amount of glamour that comes with attaining one of these scarce, highly sought-after opportunities in sports.
I would tell my younger self, despite the challenges and urges to seek acceptance, please leverage your individuality and the uniqueness of your path, this is your superpower that cannot be replicated. Your distinct way of problem-solving which derives from your experiences and thoughts, provides you with the confidence and powerful insight needed to attack any issue that arises in your work life.
Your special talents will convert these issues into growth opportunities. The growth opportunities then function as the platform for career advancement. Have the courage of your convictions and respectfully place YOUR IMPRINT on YOUR OPPORTUNITY.
Mastering the delicate balance of utilizing your unique experiences, skills, and personality within the context of being a connected team player will enhance your position at work, while also garnering respect from your teammates.
Working too hard to seek acceptance impedes your ability to achieve excellence!
💡 Interested in working with Antonio to elevate your career to the next level? Click here to sign up for a 1:1 Career Coaching session to add him to your personal support team. 🚀
Meet these coaches in person at our next virtual event! 🚀
📆 Wednesday, February 21, 2024
🕑 7:00-8:30pm EST
📍 Virtual - Zoom
💸 Registration Fee: $25
Event Highlights:
Panel Discussion (35 minutes): Engage with our distinguished Black coaches — Nicole Britenriker, Antonio Williams, Trinity Monteiro, and Bryce Celotto— in a deep-dive panel discussion. Learn how to intentionally craft your career, build strategies for proactive opportunity creation, and hear from our coach’s first-hand on how they built careers that they love.
Q&A (15 minutes): Participate in a high-impact Q&A session with our expert coaches.
Strategic Breakout Coaching Sessions (30 minutes): Intimate, group coaching sessions led by each distinguished coach focusing on topics related to career development, goal-setting, and personal growth. Acquire personalized strategies to forge a fulfilling path in the competitive sports industry.
Exclusive Eligibility: This extraordinary coaching event is exclusively open to Black professionals and students pursuing careers in sports. Seize this unique opportunity to be part of a transformative coaching experience tailored to your needs and aspirations.
How to Secure Your Spot: Click here to register! 🚀
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