Nzinga Shaw

Micah Hart

As part of the Hawks committment to the city of Atlanta and being a positive force for change in the community, the team recently made good on a promise to hire the sports world's first ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Nzinga Shaw. We recently caught up with Shaw, who previously served as SVP of Diversity &amp; Inclusion at Edelman, the world's largest public relations firm, to get a sense for what her vision is for the new position.

Nzinga Shaw: We define diversity &amp; inclusion as an environment in which differences are valued and integrated into every part of our organization’s operation. We are building a supportive culture where everyone can experience equity of opportunity for personal and organizational success. Our ultimate objective is for diversity &amp; inclusion to become a permanent institutionalized part of the way business operations are conducted on a daily basis.

Hawks.com: What do you feel is missing in most diversity strategies today?

NS: Most diversity strategies do not focus on infusing diversity at all levels of the organization, particularly in the senior ranks. In order to have a comprehensive diversity &amp; inclusion strategy, there must be broad-based representation of all employees at decision and policy making levels. In the past, companies relegated the diversity &amp; inclusion function under the human resources umbrella, limiting exposure and reach, and minimizing senior leaders’ level of accountability for success in this area. Now, we are learning that diversity &amp; inclusion can be a strategic partner to the talent development function, but can also serve as an important resource for revenue generation and external partnerships, but it must be championed and embodied at the top.

Hawks.com: What will you do to achieve those goals?

NS: In my role as the Chief Diversity &amp; Inclusion Officer, I will help our organization continue to rebuild trust and partnership in the Atlanta community, emphasizing civility, sportsmanship, and human decency in an effort to ensure that everyone can be a fan of the team, attend home games, and so that we can serve as a model for inclusion in the NBA. Specifically, I plan to partner with organizational leaders, community partners and emerging communities to build sustainable programs that leverage our strengths and establish our organization as an employer and partner of choice in the NBA.

NS: I have never owned or used an alarm clock in my entire life. All of my family and friends are astonished by my ability to wake up early every day without the use of a buzzer, cell phone, etc. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. Also, I have never been late to work or missed a flight due to oversleeping.

NS: I am inspired by amputees that have learned how to overcome their limb differences. In the past, I had a coworker that lost her arm due to an amputation after a horrible boating accident at the age of 17. Now, she is a spokeswoman who advocates for blood donations and she volunteers as a counselor for children with amputations or limb differences. Her story further reinforces the notion that something that can be perceived as a difference can be leveraged for professional and personal strength.

qa-with-chief-diversity-and-inclusion-officer-nzinga-shaw

Q&A With Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Nzinga Shaw

atljwilson

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena have named Nzinga Shaw as the organization’s new Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO), it was announced today by CEO Steve Koonin.  In this role, Shaw is responsible for developing and embedding diversity and inclusion best practices throughout the organization. She will design a strategic, cross-departmental program that creates deeper cultural awareness and sensitivity. Additionally, Shaw will serve as a member of the Executive Committee and provide guidance to the leadership team so that they can engender inclusivity in every facet of the business. She will report directly to Koonin.

"I am excited to be a member of the Atlanta Hawks &amp; Philips Arena organization at such a pivotal time. My goal as the CDIO is to help our organization rebuild trust and partnership in the Atlanta community, emphasizing civility, sportsmanship, and human decency in an effort to ensure that everyone can be a fan of the team, attend home games, and so that we can serve as a model for inclusion in the NBA,” Shaw said. “More specifically, I will lead the charge of creating a strategic framework to help shift the culture so that we can create greater inclusion and engagement with all of our fans and stakeholders."   

Shaw most recently served as SVP of Diversity &amp; Inclusion at Edelman, the world’s largest public relations agency. There she led the implementation of a global diversity and inclusion strategy. For her work, Shaw was selected by PR Week in August 2014 as a recipient of the 2014 40 Under 40 Award, and she was featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle in October 2014 as one of 15 women to receive the inaugural “Women Who Mean Business Award” for her strength in creating viable workplace diversity and inclusion programs. Shaw is an alumna of Spelman College (BA) and the University of Pennsylvania (MLA).

The Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena organization understands that diversity and inclusion must be respected and valued at every level of the organization.

“As CEO, I am committed to infusing diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and I will continue to champion it from the very top. A key part of the new model – appointing a CDIO who reports directly to me – will improve accountability across the organization,” Koonin said. “Nzinga will help us establish diversity and inclusion as a competitive advantage in terms of exceptional internal performance, outstanding customer service, and unparalleled fan engagement.”

Prior to her work at Edelman, Shaw had been at the forefront of leading organizational change and driving diversity and inclusion at other large-scale companies such as Essence Magazine, the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network and the National Football League.

Nzinga Shaw

Q&A With Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Nzinga Shaw

Nzinga Shaw Named Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer of Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena