Account Executive, LA Clippers
In celebration of Black History Month, the LA Clippers are honoring the historical achievements of African Americans and telling the stories of Black staff members whose achievements and passions have shaped the organization’s culture. Clipper Nation, meet Shawn Sanders.
Sanders’ career began in the music industry. While going to school at Cal State LA, he started working in artist development and ultimately spent almost seven years focused on finding and helping young up-and-coming musicians. After dedicating himself to launching other peoples’ careers, Sanders decided he wanted to invest in himself and pursued what had been a lifelong dream – working in sports. A jumpstart from a sports-focused career academy led to an inside sales position at the Clippers for Sanders, and he’s now entering his fourth year with the team. Sanders has been a top performer on the sales team since his rookie season, applying skills like perseverance and time management that he learned from playing sports growing up. Outside of selling, Sanders is a second-year member of the Clippers Coaching Academy program, was a founding member of the Clippers’ Black Community Alliance and is a member of the Education and Programming Committee for LACED UP, the Clippers organization’s diversity and inclusion group.
WHAT’S A CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
Sanders: “I am most proud of being able to be an inspiration to others who are looking to break into the sports industry or trying to pursue their own dreams. That means more to me than any award, promotion, or recognition I have received in my career. I think it is important to always follow your dreams and be true to yourself. It is also equally important to make a positive impact on someone’s life and use the platform we are given to inspire the next generation.”
“The experience has been very meaningful to me, especially because I am a person of color and a black male…This is an opportunity to have access to the leadership team and to learn from them so that when it’s my turn to lead, I’m prepared and ready.”
THE CLIPPERS COACHING ACADEMY PROVIDES DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING TO SALES PROFESSIONALS. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THE PROGRAM?
Sanders: “The experience has been very meaningful to me, especially because I am a person of color and a black male, and there are not many of us in leadership roles. I feel like this is an opportunity to have access to the leadership team and to learn from them so that when it’s my turn to lead, I’m prepared and ready…I think it is an amazing opportunity for me and any time I can lend a helping hand or take what I’ve learned from CCA and help somebody else out who’s coming up through the ranks, I’m open and willing to do so.”
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHERS PURSUING A CAREER IN SPORTS?
Sanders: “My advice is to never lose focus as to why you are doing it. In sales, there will be a lot of peaks and valleys. You must remember your motivation as to why you get up every day and do what you do. The ones who are successful continue to find things that they need to work on to get better and keep their focus on the bigger goal.”
“Black History Month is important to me because it allows us the opportunity to remember where we come from, who we come from, and how we can continue to add on to our legacy.”
Why is Black History Month important to you?
Sanders: “Black History Month is important to me because it allows us the opportunity to remember where we come from, who we come from, and how we can continue to add on to our legacy. It also means rejoicing the triumphs of the past and present, and what is to come in the future.”