Shamika Gentle

Account Manager

New York, New York, United StatesMid-Level5-10 years

Open to New Opportunities

About

Not too long ago—Spring 2018, to be exact—I became a first-generation college graduate, earning magna cum laude honors despite growing up in the inner city—what many call "the hood." Where I come from, success isn’t a given. It’s something you fight for, something you earn, something you build with whatever you have.   But my journey wasn’t just about me—it was about breaking barriers and doing what I can for my family. As a first-generation Belizean-American, I grew up in a world where survival came before dreams. No roadmaps, no examples to follow—just the determination to create a path where none existed. Though my mom didn't graduate high school, she taught me that every late night, every challenge, every closed door I had to push through would help me build something greater for myself and for those who would come after me. She was always proud of me, and still is. My mom has shaped my creativity in many ways, even if it wasn’t always in the most obvious form. Growing up in a single-parent household, creativity wasn’t just about expression—it was about survival, problem-solving, and making something out of nothing.   Today, I’m a strategist, storyteller, and Account Manager at BBDO Worldgroup, working on NYU Langone Health. I started at the University at Albany, earning degrees in Media Communications and Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Management. School wasn’t just about getting a degree—it was about proving that I belonged in rooms where people like me were rarely seen.   I started my career as an AdFellow at McCann and Verizon, navigating roles in brand strategy, account management, and media analysis—constantly proving that people like me belong in creative spaces. Now, as I pursue my MBA at Baruch College with a specialization in Marketing Analytics, my mission is bigger than just climbing the ladder—I’m building new ones for others to climb.   I’ve been stepping up my whole life. From Student Government VP in middle school to President in high school to leading my college’s Student House Association, I’ve always found a way to lead and create opportunities where there were none. Now, I do the same through mentorship, community-building, and ensuring that Black and brown voices are seen and heard in media, entertainment, and tech.   But this isn’t just my story—it’s all of ours.   I make it a point to challenge the people around me—at work, in my community, and in my personal life—to have real conversations about diversity. Not just in professional spaces, but in everyday moments. Talking about diversity should be as natural as talking about career growth, industry trends, or even the latest shows we’re watching. Because change happens when we make space for real, honest discussions.   This work doesn’t stop. Whether through my career, mentorship, or HOOD, I’m building spaces, networks, and opportunities for students who grew up the way I did.   Because the truth is—we belong here. And it’s time the world knows it.

Brands

Lord & Taylor