EVERFI’s 306 Black Historical past Course and Black Enterprise Titans Module
The NFL’s social justice initiative, Encourage Change, in collaboration with EVERFI, sponsors the 306 Black Historical past course, an academic program designed to focus on key figures, occasions, and contributions from the Black group. Inside this course, the Black Enterprise Titans module focuses particularly on entrepreneurship and the numerous function Black leaders play in driving enterprise innovation and financial empowerment. This module celebrates pioneers like Curtis Symonds, whose dedication, resilience, and success function highly effective classes for college students. By his story, learners are impressed to beat obstacles, lead with imaginative and prescient, and make significant contributions to their communities.
Celebrating Curtis Symonds Throughout Black Historical past Month
In celebration of Black Historical past Month, we honor Curtis Symonds, a trailblazer whose outstanding profession in media, enterprise, and group growth exemplifies resilience, imaginative and prescient, and management. From his early days overcoming setbacks in sports activities to turning into a key determine at BET and launching the groundbreaking HBCU GO platform, Symonds’ story is a robust instance of perseverance and dedication. His affect extends past enterprise success, leaving a legacy of mentorship, group engagement, and advocacy for Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities (HBCUs). By highlighting Curtis Symonds’ journey, we rejoice a Black Enterprise Titan whose contributions proceed to encourage generations to dream large and break obstacles.
Curtis Symonds – Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Curtis Symonds’ story begins in Bermuda, the place he was born earlier than his household moved to Ohio. Rising up in a modest atmosphere, Symonds discovered the worth of laborious work, dedication, and resilience early on. Regardless of dealing with challenges in highschool sports activities and never making the crew, he refused to let setbacks outline him.
Symonds walked onto the basketball crew at St. Joseph’s School, showcasing his persistence and drive. Later, he transferred to Central State College, the place he accomplished his schooling with a serious in Bodily Schooling. His preliminary dream was to develop into a instructor and positively influence younger lives within the classroom and on the sports activities discipline.
Throughout this time, Symonds labored at an area sporting items retailer, gaining worthwhile expertise in customer support and small enterprise operations. Though the shop closed after a yr, the expertise taught him important classes about adaptability and perseverance, qualities that will serve him nicely in his future endeavors.
The Early Profession Challenges and Classes Discovered
After the closure of the sporting items retailer, Symonds discovered himself at a crossroads. Throughout a profession day occasion, he encountered a chance with State Farm Insurance coverage in Columbus, Ohio. He joined the company workplace, gaining his first style of the skilled world.
Nevertheless, it was a dialog along with his highschool principal that will change the trajectory of his profession. His principal launched him to the cable enterprise, a burgeoning business on the time. Symonds shortly immersed himself in studying each side of the sector—from constructing cable programs to managing installations and dealing with buyer funds.
“Generally, alternatives come from essentially the most surprising conversations. You simply should be able to pay attention and act.” (Cascade Sports activities, 2023)
Symonds later joined Group W Satellite tv for pc, a pioneering firm owned by ABC, which aimed to create one of many first 24-hour information networks—a precursor to CNN. The enterprise was groundbreaking however finally short-lived. When Ted Turner acquired the corporate, Symonds misplaced his job. Nevertheless, the expertise proved invaluable, instructing him in regards to the dynamics of satellite tv for pc broadcasting and the potential of steady information protection.
This early part of his profession instilled in him a deep understanding of enterprise operations and the significance of hands-on expertise. Curtis Symonds was not simply constructing cable programs; he was laying the muse for a outstanding profession in media and broadcasting.
Curtis Symonds at ESPN
After Ted Turner’s acquisition of Group W Satellite tv for pc, Curtis joined ESPN as an area advert gross sales guide, tasked with promoting ESPN programming into native cable programs and managing regional promoting gross sales. His strategic method and management shortly propelled him by the ranks, finally turning into Director of ESPN’s Chicago workplace. His success in increasing ESPN’s native market footprint earned him recognition as a rising star in media gross sales.
“Salespeople aren’t created. What makes a salesman nice is one phrase: belief. The second somebody trusts you, you are able to do something.” (Cascade Sports activities, 2023)
Curtis Symonds at BET
On account of his success at ESPN, Curtis was recruited by BET founder Robert Johnson to steer the community’s internet affiliate marketing program. Accepting the function with one situation—no micromanagement—Symonds took on the duty of increasing BET’s cable distribution.
Below his management, BET grew its attain from 18 million to over 100 million houses, turning into a cultural and industrial drive. Symonds performed a key function in creating methods that positioned BET as a premier vacation spot for Black leisure and tradition. He was instrumental in constructing relationships with cable operators throughout the nation, guaranteeing BET’s placement in key markets and driving subscription progress.
Symonds additionally helped form the community’s advertising and marketing initiatives, fostering a reference to audiences that went past tv screens. His capability to mix enterprise technique with cultural authenticity was important in establishing BET as not solely a number one community for leisure but in addition as a platform for amplifying Black voices and tales on a nationwide scale.
“Bob gave me the perfect recommendation: ‘Consider your division as your individual firm. You’re the president of that firm, and it’s your job to drive the enterprise.’” (The HistoryMakers, n.d.)
Curtis Symonds and the Washington Mystics
At a time when girls’s skilled basketball was nonetheless carving out its place within the sports activities business, Curtis Symonds stepped right into a management function with the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Working alongside Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET and proprietor of the crew, Symonds utilized his enterprise acumen and fervour for sports activities to assist solidify the franchise’s presence in a aggressive market. As an early advocate for girls’s skilled sports activities, he performed a key function in constructing the crew’s model and laying a robust basis for its long-term success.
Symonds’ work with the Mystics highlights his function as a pioneer in sports activities management, demonstrating his capability to drive progress and visibility in an area that traditionally lacked funding and a focus. His efforts proceed to be acknowledged as an necessary chapter in advancing girls’s skilled sports activities.
Legacy of Management and Mentorship
Within the mid-2000s, Curtis based Hoop Magic Sports activities Academy in Chantilly, Virginia, with the purpose of making a state-of-the-art facility the place younger athletes may practice, develop, and discover mentorship. Hoop Magic was greater than only a gymnasium—it was a group hub the place youth may construct confidence, self-discipline, and management abilities by basketball and educational packages. The power turned a platform for younger athletes to showcase their skills, with many occurring to safe school scholarships.
On the coronary heart of this initiative was his spouse, Patricia Symonds, who performed a vital function because the spine of the undertaking, offering unwavering help, steering, and dedication to make sure its success.
Although Hoop Magic finally closed, its influence has endured. The power has since reworked into one other athletic complicated, a testomony to Symonds’ forward-thinking imaginative and prescient. It’s clear that whereas the timing may not have been excellent, the muse Curtis constructed with Hoop Magic was undeniably strong.
At probably the most prestigious non-public school preparatory colleges within the DC Metro Space, St. Paul VI Catholic Excessive College, Curtis Symonds has seamlessly carried ahead his ardour for mentorship and management. For over a decade, he has devoted himself to teaching and creating younger athletes within the extremely aggressive Washington Catholic Athletic Convention (WCAC), a league famend for producing elite basketball expertise and future collegiate stars.
“Sports activities are greater than only a recreation—they’re a classroom for all times classes. I’m proud to be a part of shaping these younger gamers’ futures.” (Cascade Sports activities, 2023)
Past his skilled achievements, Curtis Symonds can be a proud father to a few sons: Demetrius, Karrington, and Curtis. Their love and help have been a cornerstone of his journey, offering energy and function all through his outstanding profession.
Curtis Symonds and the Development of HBCU GO
In his most up-to-date function, Curtis Symonds has been on the forefront of constructing HBCU GO, a number one streaming platform devoted to Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities. By HBCU GO, Symonds has created an area for HBCU sports activities, tradition, and educational programming to thrive on a nationwide stage.
Below his management, HBCU GO has secured key distribution offers, increasing its attain to tens of millions of households. The platform not solely broadcasts sporting occasions but in addition tells the tales of HBCU college students, alumni, and establishments, amplifying their contributions and cultural significance.
“HBCU GO is not only about sports activities; it’s about creating visibility and celebrating the excellence of our colleges and college students.” (Mosley, 2024)
Conclusion
Curtis Symonds’ story exemplifies the spirit of resilience, innovation, and dedication that the NFL’s Encourage Change initiative and EVERFI’s 306 Black Historical past course purpose to rejoice. By his contributions to media, sports activities, and schooling, Symonds has created alternatives, elevated voices, and formed numerous lives. His legacy serves as a beacon for future generations, reminding us that true management is about paving the best way for others to rise. As college students interact with the Black Enterprise Titans module, Curtis Symonds’ journey ought to encourage them to dream boldly, act courageously, and construct a greater future for his or her communities.
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References
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In regards to the Writer:
Erick, a Senior Supervisor on the Buyer Advertising and marketing crew at EVERFI, holds a grasp’s diploma in Sports activities Administration from Georgetown College. With over a decade of expertise within the sports activities and media sector, Erick has cultivated a deep-seated ardour for making a significant distinction in marginalized or underrepresented communities. Earlier than becoming a member of EVERFI, Erick labored for Occasions DC, Washington, DC’s Sports activities & Conference Authority. He now helps EVERFI’s sports activities partnerships crew, spearheading advertising and marketing and occasion initiatives that interact college students round crucial subjects together with character schooling, psychological wellness, and STEM.
