the next big thing
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THE HBCU TO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS PIPELINE
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S A HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE and University (HBCU) graduate from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, I’ve seen firsthand as a student how hard it was to get exposure from top organizations and obtain viable job opportunities. During my time at TSU, I served as a Graduate Student Association Officer where I helped organize and execute the inaugural “Claws to Paws” Career Fair to directly connect students and employers. The career fair resulted in many students obtaining several internships and part-time/full-time job opportunities. Growing up, my main goal was to have a career in professional sports either as a player or on the business side, specifically the National Basketball Association (NBA). I began studying Human Resources in high school at Yvonne A. Ewell Magnet Center (School of Business and Management). I knew that working for the NBA could be extremely difficult to achieve, so I had to work three times harder as an HBCU graduate to accomplish this goal. I revamped my cover letter and resume, sharped my interview skills, optimized my LinkedIn profile, joined professional organizations and started effectively networking. LinkedIn can be really undervalued, but it really helped me mold my personal and professional brand. Ultimately, I landed my first professional sports job with the Atlanta Hawks as a Human Resources Trainee and was later promoted to a People & Culture Specialist. As they say, “Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance!” Fast forward a few years, I now serve as the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Outreach Manager at the Milwaukee Bucks & Fiserv Forum Arena. As I reflect on my career, I have realized that it’s often the students who attend Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) that get more exposure to career opportunities, rather than HBCU students. However, I am here on a mission to make it an even playing field. In my current role, I identify and engage with diverse pools of talent to develop robust pipelines and resulting hires. The NBA has recently launched the Future Sales Stars Program and Future Analytics Stars Program, which the Bucks are a part of to prioritize recruiting, developing, and retaining diverse talent. I enjoy being a part of the change that I wished to see. Ultimately, I’m glad to share this work with sports organizations that are also on a mission to extend opportunities in the sports industry to underrepresented
16 | BLACK IN HR
By Jakeim Jackson-Bell, MBA candidates. There are organizations such as Sports & Entertainment Equity Network (SEEN) and HBCU 20X20, who do a really good job preparing and helping HBCU students and alumni obtain job opportunities in professional sports. Also, the HBCU Battle of the Brains has made a positive impact being able to bring top students and sports industry leaders together that entails mentoring and professional development. I’m committed to building stronger relationships with HBCUs because I know there’s a large untapped resource of bright, talented, hungry and hardworking students. To all the hardworking HBCU students and alumni, you are enough and have what it takes. Don’t get discouraged, keep knocking! u
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