Shanette Buford-Brazzell's charitable work was built on a network of supportive mentors in the game
๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ: ๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐. ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฝ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ!
Sports has always been Shanette Buford-Brazzellโs passion.
Growing up in Cleveland, sports were her social glue.
They taught her resilience.
Teamwork.
And the impact of community.
But breaking into the sports industry wasnโt easy.
Her journey started with internships.
And side gigs.
Doing everything from event management to fundraising.
Without even knowing thatโs what it was.
She worked under incredible mentors.
Ones who took her under their wing.
Showing her the ropes in ways she couldnโt have imagined.
Those early lessons?
They became the foundation for everything sheโs done since.
Now sheโs built an impactful career in philanthropy.
And continues to work closely with athletes.
Donors.
And community organizations.
Sheโs found her greatest purpose in supporting underrepresented communities.
Helping them see sports as a path toward growth and opportunity.
Along the way, these are four things sheโs learned and wants to pass on to you:
1. Lean on mentors.
They can open doors you didnโt know existed.
2. Reflect on your โwhyโ regularly.
Itโll keep you grounded when things get tough.
3. Build your personal brand early.
Even if youโre just starting out.
4. Stay connected to your roots.
And remember who youโre doing it for.
Even now, the sports industry is evolving.
And it needs people like you who believe in its power to do good.
So Shanetteโs final reminder for you:
Extend a hand to others as youโre climbing the ladder.
***
Know a college student interested in a career in sports?
This post could spark the chance to work in this amazing field.
Thatโs why sharing it with them is one of the best things you can do.
And thank you Shanette for participating in this series.
Your leadership, experience and ability to connect is so inspiring to us!
Follow her: LinkedIn
