Her Story
About Ebony
I started in athletics in 2013 as a middle school basketball coach, and coaching just naturally came to me. I moved into high school coaching and then worked as an interim AD for high school before transitioning into the event world in athletics. Now I work for a major league soccer team in Washington, D.C., where I manage the frontline staff who are the face of the event. My staff includes ushers, ticket takers, and people outside greeting guests. We're setting the tone for people coming into the door, making sure that people are having a good time and that if they have any issues, we're there to help solve them. I train my people and make sure they're taken care of, managing roughly 200 employees. My marketing degree from North Carolina Central University helps me understand how people see the sports industry and what fans are looking for, how we can communicate with them and make it easier for them to come through. I love events, I love people, and I love the atmosphere. It just naturally became part of my life. Beyond my work in athletics, I'm also president of North Carolina Transplant Athletes, a nonprofit organization where we fundraise and bring awareness to organ transplants. My father had a heart transplant in 2010, which connects me personally to this cause. We help transplant recipients and living donors attend the Transplant Games of America every two years, and we provide a community that they can be part of through meetings and support throughout the year.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ebony
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family. My father had a heart transplant in 2010, which has been a significant part of my journey and connects me to the work I do with North Carolina Transplant Athletes. I just had a baby last year, a boy, and I love to go on vacation and hang out with my husband and baby and the family. My family is at the center of everything I do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to not worry about the things that you can't change, and instead focus on worrying about the things that you can.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the athletics industry is to make sure that you network. Don't be scared to reach out to people and ask for mentorships. Really just understand that people are here for you and can help you along the way. Athletics is a little bit harder to break into for women, so having that support and being willing to reach out is crucial.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge in my field right now is just the timing. In this field, it takes a lot of time away from family, and just making sure you're able to balance that is difficult. It's a lot of hard work. As for opportunities, there are internships, part-time jobs, and full-time jobs available in the field.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are my faith, my integrity, and my empathy. These guide everything I do, from managing my team of 200 employees and making sure they're taken care of, to my work with transplant athletes and creating a community for people who have experienced organ transplants.
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