National Mentoring Program Designed to Drive Readiness of Future Senior Leadership Hosted Retreat in Phoenix at State Farm Stadium
The National Society of Black Sports Professionals (BSP), a leading sports business professional development resource and RISE, the national non-profit coalition of major U.S. sports leagues and media networks that uses sports to eliminate racism and champion social justice, announced today the second cohort of executive mentors and mentees of the Sports Business Executive Accelerator national mentoring program.
This Sports Business Executive Accelerator is designed to foster personal and business-oriented professional growth by connecting experienced leaders with inclusive, high-potential, mid-career mentees who aspire and have been identified by their organization as future executive-level leaders. The focus of the program is to guide the mentees in refining and honing the skills that deliver measurable business growth and to discuss what steps they need to take as their responsibilities and influence within their organization expands.
“BSP was thrilled with the launch of the Sports Business Executive Accelerator and it’s impact on the first cohort of mentors and mentees,” said Kevin Clayton, BSP National Board Chair and Executive Vice President, Chief Impact and Equity Officer for Rock Entertainment Group and the Cleveland Cavaliers. “Along with RISE, we remain thankful to each industry professional and their organizations for supporting this program’s build, which speaks to our founding principle of supporting professional development and equity in the sports industry.
“One of the reasons why it is challenging to lead and grow as a professional in the sports industry is that it is continuously growing and innovating to appeal to an ever-broader consumer base,” said RISE Chief Executive Officer Diahann Billings Burford. The Accelerator program not only supports developing the skills to be a leader in this industry, but it also provides that opportunity for high performers to build social capital and a network to excel.
“The Arizona Cardinals and State Farm Stadium were proud to support BSP and RISE in hosting the retreat for the Accelerator’s second cohort,” said Shaun Mayo, Arizona Cardinals Chief People Officer and BSP Phoenix Chapter President. “We saw the impact of the retreat among the mentor and mentees and know the depth of these lasting relationships will provide professional synergy for years to come.”
Executive Mentors
- Carlos Oseguera | Vice President, Guest Services – Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cathy Jerome | Senior Director, Strategic Marketing – Monumental Sports & Entertainment
- Christa Mann | Founder & Chief Publicist – CMS PR Consulting
- Danielle Harris | Commissioner – Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- Debbie King | Partner – Building3
- Diahann Billings-Burford | CEO – RISE
- Jacques McClendon | Agent – WME Sports
- Julian Jones | Senior Associate Athletic Director, Broncos Empowered and Championship Culture – Western Michigan University
- Mattie White | College Athletics Administrator
- Megan Hughes Allison | Senior Vice President – Underdog Ventures
- Nicole Jeter West | Co-Founder – Vanguard Maven Group
- Omar Brown | Senior Vice President, Community & Impact – Big Ten Conference
- Richard Mcleod | Former Global Chief Marketing Officer – Champion
Mentees
- Cicely Nash | Special Events Management and Production Sports Professional
- Darian Banks | Community Outreach Manager – US Tennis Association
- Ebony Harris | Associate General Counsel – Portland Trailblazers
- Elandra McConney | Director of Retail – Ilitch Sports and Entertainment
- JP Abercrumbie | Executive Associate Athletics Director – Culture, Engagement & Civic Innovation – University of Notre Dame
- Korinth Patterson | Associate Commissioner, Championships & Sport Programs – Mid- American Conference
- Mike Newell | Corporate Sales Manager – Toronto Blue Jays
- Misha Hurd | Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion – Major League Baseball
- Niya Blair Hackworth | Director of Inclusion – NCAA
- Pam McIver | Senior Security Manager – Atlanta Braves
- Saquandra Heath | Associate Director for External Communications – NCAA
- Ta Karra Jones | Senior Manager of Community Education Resources and Experiences US Tennis Association
- Taylor Snow | Director of Sports – Connect
The Sports Business Executive Accelerator’s model is:
- Mentors host monthly 60-minute 1:1 virtual coaching sessions to:
- provide guidance/advice to mentee(s) in their area of expertise
- share their knowledge/experiences to assist mentees in overcoming challenges in achieving their goals
- review the career roadmap of the mentee and provide guidance
- Mentees additionally will participate in monthly virtual group leadership development seminars that are guided discussions led by renowned executives and industry leaders
- The in-person leadership retreat will consist of a one-and-a-half-day workshop
- Organizations support their mentees through the program cost and travel expenses
About BSP
BSP has been a career accelerant, connecting, empowering and advancing sports business professionals and students for nearly 20 years through local and national programming and events, industry networking opportunities and recruitment, retention, development and advancement support to organizations. The national footprint of BSP chapters includes: Atlanta, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Miami/South Florida, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/Twin Cities, New Orleans, Northern California, North Texas, Orlando/Central Florida, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles/SoCal, Seattle, Tampa Bay and Washington D.C./DMV to date. Follow BSP on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, or learn more at blacksportsprofessionals.com.
About RISE
RISE is a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations. Through partnerships and programs, RISE inspires leaders in sports to create positive change on matters of race and equality. RISE’s vision is to create a nation unified through sports committed to racial equity and social justice. Follow RISE on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook @RISEtoWIN or learn more at risetowin.org.
