Her Story
About Christine
I've always been interested in media and entertainment ever since I was little. I was that person placed in all different extracurriculars, whether it was sports, arts, dance, music, or singing. I ran track and field since 8th grade and played rugby in college. I've done it all - I interned for a DJ, had my own radio show that turned into a podcast, and anything that's culture-based or creative-based has always been the way I like to spend my time. Now it's exciting to actually work in the industry. I worked full-time for Viacom before going to law school in brand strategy, so I got a taste of what my future career could look like before going off to grad school. What inspired me to pursue law was seeing one-hit wonders or people who started businesses but never got to scale them or see them through. The music or creativity was always at its height or very innovative, same with the businesses. As I had more internships and talked to more attorneys, I realized it was probably because those people didn't have proper representation to help support them and their vision and allow for their creativity to be properly compensated or for their business to scale effectively. I wanted to be able to advocate for creatives and small business entrepreneurs, help them set up and lay out a proper foundation for themselves, and empower them as opposed to take advantage of them. That's what made me want to pursue my JD MBA. I've worked at corporate law firms in the AMLAW 100, interned at the NBA, Amazon Studios, United Talent Agency, Penguin Random House, Viacom and ViacomCBS, and other places. I was part of the Howard Entertainment Program. I also worked full-time for a non-profit as a counselor where I learned a lot of mediation strategies and how to talk to various stakeholders. I'm an alum of the Prep for Prep program and regularly serve as a mentor and advisor to current students. My day-to-day involves reviewing contracts, negotiating on behalf of my clients, doing consultations, pro bono work through Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, networking, attending conferences, showcases, and art galleries to engage with potential clients. I work with anyone within the creative or business entrepreneur space, whether it's a photographer transitioning into being a creative director or a podcaster needing consulting help.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Christine
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say take every opportunity to say yes when given the opportunity. I think it's important for young women to take up space, too, and do not dim your light for anyone. You're uniquely and wonderfully made, and so you have something to offer the world, so always know that your voice matters. Also, be forward-thinking, forward-minded, because the world is changing rapidly, and it's just important to always be able to use your intuition to be 10 steps ahead, and be the one that impacts and changes something in this world, not just for yourself, but for others.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
People taking me seriously, even though I'm junior in my career. I think being a woman of color in the legal field - 5% of attorneys are Black and only 2% are women - and so being at the intersectionality of race and gender in a very male, white male-dominated field is one of the hardest things about it. But being so well-educated, whether it be the fact that I went to a top private independent school here in New York City, to then the number one liberal arts college in the nation, Amherst College, and now going to the top HBCU law school for business and having a full scholarship to the business school as well, and then just my genuine, authentic desire to help people, I think that can help dominate and alleviate, mitigate any preconceived notions that people may have about me just because of my demographics.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I love mentoring middle school and high school students - high school is probably my sweet spot. I'm always willing to give advice through actual mentorship programs, formally or informally, because I just know that when people planted seeds into me, that's when I was able to see my growth. My mom really created a village around me, and she came to this country on an international education scholarship in the 70s without anyone to help her. She went to the University of Wisconsin Stout, found her way from Wisconsin to Brooklyn, went to Brooklyn College and got 3 Masters. Even though she has 3 masters and could have been a principal or guidance counselor, she stayed in the classroom and worked with students grades 2 through 5 her entire career for over 30 years. If anything, I like to say that even though I'm her only child, she had hundreds of kids before me and after me, and the time that she put into me has paid dividends, just as much as she's poured into other people's children. So I always want to pay that forward, just because of what my mom was able to bless me with. My godparents were educators and advocates who ran for local office, so I also saw the importance of local politics and just pouring into your community. I got to see just the importance of pouring into your community, so even after law school, I could have went anywhere else other than New York, and I decided to come back home intentionally, and I feel like I'm pouring back into the communities that really poured back into me. I'm very devout in my faith, so I love going to church and meeting people through the faith, through Christ.
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