Recapping My Black Sports Symposium Experience
AMAZING EVENT
Last weekend I had the fortunate pleasure of attending the 2023 Black Sports Symposium in Atlanta. This was the second year the symposium took place and after missing last year I was pretty back and forth on deciding if I should go or not. Last year I had the opportunity to speak but it fell through, this year we pitched a client to speak and it ended up not working out so I was as the kids say, “off it.” I ended up deciding to go with the encouragement of my business partner, Adrian Camargo. So glad I listened because it was such a great event and to see black sports professionals at every level in one place eager to learn, connect, and collaborate was a sight to see and take in. What Gregory Gibson Jr and company have built is amazing and looking forward to seeing how they will continue to create impact with the community and platform they’ve started. So happy I decided to attend and the conference turned out more fruitful than I imagined, now it’s up to me to follow up but it was great nonetheless. I highly recommend anyone and everyone to attend if they have the opportunity to, I will for sure be returning.
Face to Face Touchpoints
Nothing like face to face connection. There were people I’ve met a couple times but it was only on zoom. To be able to shake someone’s hand, dap someone up or a simple hug embrace goes a long way to build repoire and relationship. Even being able to reconnect with folks that you may not have seen in a while. To be able to read visual cues, be open and hopeful in a group setting, not being confined to a zoom just makes connection so much stronger. Not saying you have to be at every event but there’s something to be said about face to face meet ups.
RICH PAUL SESSION NOTES
Appearance Is A Confidence Booster - Rich Paul but also Maria Taylor
Both marquee speakers came correct with the gems but this one stood out too. Look good, feel good , play good. If you take a serious approach about your appearance you will be taken serious. It was interesting to hear to stakeholders in their respective sports sectors speak to the value of appearance. I always refer to the mantra, how your present yourself is how you are perceived
Disruption / Athletic - Apparel to Athletes Instead of Influencers
In order to be successful you have to disrupt…that was the key reason why Rich Paul started Klutch Athletics , his apparel line, to disrupt the industry. While I personally think there are bigger things at play that we will soon find about but Rich Paul’s attention has solely focused on how to create Klutch athletics into a global brand
Character, Infrastructure & Habits
These are the tools and pillars that will make anyone successful. When Rich decides to work with a client, he noted these three principles as the key factors on his decision to seek a client. These 3 qualities will help decipher how successful you will be in the face of adversity and all the things that come your way as an athlete or individual.
NIL is Hurting College Athletes
A controversial take in my opinion but Rich Paul said NIL is hurting college athletes due to the lack of education, expectations, and transparency around NIL. He stated stakeholders and athletes have let the notion of NIL cloud their judgement in how to proactively take advantage of NIL which is hurting them in the long run.
How To Pitch A Company
At the Sports Stories Through A Black Lens session, a young entrepreneur did something very profound. He not only stepped up to ask a question but gave himself a plug for anyone that wanted to connect with him for his services while he volunteering on the digital side. His question was great too, he asked how to pitch companies for your ideas. This is a battle because I’m always trying to figure out the best way to get in front of folks for my ideas and projects. The feedback was simple but effective, here’s the three step process:
Create a log line
Paragraph or short summary of the concept
Answer to the questions, why now & why us
This approach according to the panelist which included king of twitter, Josiah Johnson on it said that’s the most successful approach. I’ll be applying it to my own strategy.
MARIA TAYLOR X TJAY
Before I share my notes from this panel, this was a wonderful final session to bring the event to a close. Maria Taylor and TJay, the biggest sports business free agent now after announcing his departure from Twitter, have amazing chemistry and it was just a great conversation. To share how impactful the session was one person I spoke with said, “I wasn’t a fan of Maria before but after that, I’m a fan forever.”
What to Do When There is Turbulence…
Turbulence forces a reaction, how are you going to respond. You may have to elevate to reach new air or might have to drop down to climb back up again.
How to Approach Brand Partnerships
As it relates to brand partnerships, you are what you negotiate. Know your contract inside and out, always have a contract. No matter the size of the deal.
Network & Mentorship (Mentorship vs Peer to Peer Mentorship)
Everyone wants to network up or have a mentor that can show them the way but there needs to be a bigger focus on peer to peer mentorship. Tjay emphasized this notion of finding peers that can be mentors and vice versa. Not only because iron sharpens iron but peers can rise together and you’ll be the decision makers in the future. Great lesson for some of the young students in attendance!
Say YES Strategy
Maria spoke about her willingness to say yes to opportunities she may not have enjoyed or wasn’t well versed in because it gave her the ability to be top of mind and learn. I love this approach and it’s one that I’ve taken. She’s put herself in a position to be recognized and now that she’s established she can now specialize in the lanes that bring her joy or speak to her passions. That doesn’t happen if she’s closed off early on.
Self-Care Tips
Life in the sports business world is not easy. Self care has been paramount in the world of hustle culture. Maria shared how her travel schedule caused her to have a health scare that flight attendants have and it forced her to reevaluate things. In the face of travel, negativity on social media, anxiety for interviews, Maria was vulnerable and shared her process to self care and why it’s vital for one to ultimately be successful in the space. Her simple tip outside of her Korean skin care routine was the 4-4-6 breathing technique to help stay calm.
Breathe In for 4 seconds
Hold for 4 seconds
Breathe Out for 6 seconds
Being Proactive
“Don’t wait to get hired to do the job you want to do”
Had to share this although I didn’t listen to D Smoke share this. During one of the networking dinners I attended I asked what one takeaway was from one of the folks I connected with. He shared what D Smoke said and I had to add it. This is a game changer and something I think should be a lesson for everyone.
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Once again had a great time at the event and looking forward to seeing folks at the next one, would love to connect with folks that are interested in connecting.
