Her Story
About Sabriena
Sabriena Campbell is Chief of Staff in the New York State Legislature for an assemblymember representing the South Bronx, a position she has held for the last four years following her entry into government work in 2015. Alongside her public service career, she founded Velvet Lux Cosmetics, an independent beauty company focused on eye makeup products such as eyelashes and mascara along with application accessories, and she is expanding the line into jewelry and other cosmetics. In 2020 Campbell launched Becoming the CEO, which began as a podcast sharing her experience balancing a nine-to-five job with entrepreneurship and has grown into a nonprofit organization that helps aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs start, scale, and sustain their businesses. Through the nonprofit she hosts Back to Basics camps teaching braiding, makeup application, and barbering skills along with the business side of those trades, offers master classes on topics including becoming a notary and starting a daycare, and leads bi-weekly wellness walks in the Bronx community. Campbell is also preparing to launch the Strong Moms Collective wellness day for mothers and caregivers paired with the Mini CEO's Village childcare program that incorporates financial literacy for children. She is a notary public who teaches classes on the credential and partners with Rule to Success, the New York Urban League youth arm, and the National Action Network to empower Black and Brown young people in Congressional District 15. Born in Jamaica, Campbell attributes her drive to her son, her parents' sacrifices after immigrating, her ability to overcome personal grief, and her commitment to pouring back into the next generation while fully embracing every aspect of her identity as a government leader, beauty entrepreneur, and community advocate.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sabriena
01What do you attribute your success to?
My drive comes from my son who keeps me inspired, my parents who sacrificed for my education and businesses after immigrating from Jamaica, overcoming personal obstacles like grief, pouring back into young people by showing them what's possible, and loving what I do without compartmentalizing different parts of myself.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received starting as an intern was to always ask questions and be in a posture of learning to cultivate mastery. Also, write things down and keep a journal. As a leader, I advise navigating life with an open palm to release what needs to go and receive abundance, embracing the rollercoaster of life, and valuing community and relationships over transactional networking because your name will be spoken in rooms you're not in.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Always ask questions and maintain a posture of learning no matter how successful you become. Write things down and keep a journal. Navigate life with an open palm rather than a tight fist to release what needs to go and receive what you deserve. Embrace the ebbs and flows of life so you are not living with anxiety. Value building genuine community and relationships because opportunities will come from people speaking your name in rooms you are not in.
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