Course Description

Host

Monique AJ Smith

Monique A.J. Smith, is a Leadership Strategist that guides Athletics Departments/Sport Organizations and Individuals who wish to advance in Athletics Administration/Sports Management careers through her company, Seeds of Empowerment LLC. Smith, a Sports Management veteran of 30 plus years, was Adjunct Faculty at Hampton University teaching Sports Management Courses. Spring 2023, Monique published her 5th issue of Significance in Athletics and Sports, that features Black Women sharing their ‘Specialized Knowledge’ in the Industry. All issues can be found it www.seedsofempowermentstore.com or Amazon. She is most known for her 9 seasons as the host of the internationally recognized weekly podcast "A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith”, that spotlights Women of Color in Athletics/Sports to her 2.9K Followers. Smith time in Collegiate Athletics includes a 13 year tenure as athletic conference executive for the historic Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). She also served in various athletic administrative roles on the campuses of Saint Paul’s College and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore within a ten year period. Smith was a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. With the understanding that knowledge is the key to success, Smith customizes her presentations to provide clients with leadership tools to prepare them to make informed decisions. Monique has dedicated her life to marketing the success of others, developing opportunities for the underrepresented and influencing decision makers to embrace diversity and inclusion. These actions have led to extraordinary opportunities to facilitator change and see strives in the development of others.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Season 1- Chat in the Garden recorded 2014-15

    • Terlynn Olds, former AD at Chatham now Executive Senior Associate Director/SWA at Univeristy of Alaska Fairbanks

    • Tonia Walker, former AD Winston-Salem State University, now AD at Bluefield College

    • Portia Hoag, former AD Allegheny College now Executive Director Centennial Conference

    • Keisha Pexton, former AD Newports News Apprentice School

    • Dr. China Jude, former AD Queens College, SUNY now Senior Associate AD at the University of Wyoming

    • Candy Young former AD Delaware State University now Title IX Coordinator at Delaware State University

    • Dr. Cricket Lane, Assistant AD Student Development for UNC Chapel Hill

    • Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree AD for North Carolina Central University

    • Dr. Denisha Hendericks former AD Chicago State University now Special Assistant to VP for Student Affairs at Keene State College

    • Dr. Sharon Beverly, former AD, Chicago State University now the Owner of Beverly & Associaties

    • Pat Thomas, AD for University of District of Columbia

    • Carla Wilson, former AD University Missouri-Kansas City and now Sr Director of Student Support Services and Student Development at Univeristy of Missouri-Kansas City

    • Jeannie King, former AD Queens University

    • Selina Kohn, AD Paine College

    • Dianthia Ford-Kee AD Mississippi Valley State University

    • Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, AD Dillard University and currently Interim Commissioner Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

    • Tara Owen former AD at Baltimore City Community College, Now AD Central State University

    • Marlynn Jones former Owner of Eligibility Coach, now Director of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion and Title IX Coordinator at the Univ of North Florida

    • Teresa Phillips, former AD Tennessee State University

    • Stephanie Evans former AD DC Public Schools

    • Monique Lewis former Youth Tickets Sales for Washington Wizards/Mystics now Development Manager Hayes Public Charter Schools

    • Alfreeda Goff former Sr. Associate Commissioner for the Horizon League

    • Krishna Dass former AD Hostos Community College, now Co owner CoachAbility LLC

    • Shantey Hill, AD Saint Joseph University

    • Renee Bostic, former AD Medgar Evers College now AD Notre Dame of Maryland University

    • Derita Ratcliffe, former Sr. Assoc. AD University of Alabama Birmingham now Deputy AD Student-Athlete Welfare for University of Arkansa

    • Dr. Tamica Smith Jones former Sr Associate AD, Univ. of Texas at San Antonio

    • Christyn Abaray former AD Buena Vista University now Assistant to the President at Lawrence University

    • Danielle Wright, owner Wright Relations

    • Miechelle Willis former Deputy Director of Athletics for The Ohio State University

    • Suzette McQueen, former Assoc. Dir. Development at Davidson and now Sr. Assoc. Commissioner/SWA for the CIAA

    • Bernell Hooker, Owner Milwaukee Aces

    • Monique Holland former Sr. Assoc. AD for Southern Methodist University now Sr. Assoc. AD at Auburn

    • Jacqueline Blackett Sr. Assoc Columbia University

    • Shelia Wooten, AD Bloomfield College

    • Melissa Nixon Executive Coach, The Courage Company

    • Dr. Renae Myles Payne former Associate AD Alabama A&M now Sr. Assoc. AD at University of Miami

    • Dr. Karin Lee Sr. Associate AD/SWA Ball State University now Deputy AD, Internal Operations, Ball State University

    • Shonna Brown former Sr Assoc Commissioner America East Conference now Associate Commissioner/CFO Conference USA

    • Chevonne Mansfield, former Director of Communications American Athletic Conference now Deputy AD, Florida Memorial

    • Dr. Dee Stokes, CEO Dee Stokes Ministries

    • Danielle Harris former Assistant Commissioner/SWA Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference now Commissioner WIAC

    • Dr. Kim Kirkland, author "Enough of the Stuff"

    • Tracy Jackson, ESQ , Sports Attorney, Coaches Inc

    • Felecia Hall Allen, CEO of Felecia Hall Allen & Associates

    • Stephany Raines, former Athletics Director Savannah College of Arts and Design, now Head Basketball Coach for Upson Lee High School

    • Dr. Robin Martin, CEO Leading Beyond the Post and Author of the Book Navigating Courage

    • Tina Sloan Green President and Co-Founder of the Black Women in Sport Foundation

    • LaTonya Story, Owner LPS Consulting PR, LLC

    • Janice Dove Johnson, Executive Director, National Title IX Conference and Classic

  • 2

    Season 2 A Chat in the Podcast 2015-2016

    • Sonja Stills, Sr Associate Commissioner/SWA MEAC

    • Shelley Davis, former Deputy Director AD, Howard University, Now Sr. Assoc. Commissioner/SWA for the Big South Conference

    • Adrianne Swinney former Deputy AD UNC Wilmington now COO/SWA for UConn

    • Lynsey Grace, Assistant AD Community College of Philadelphia

    • Sheri Barnes former AD George Wythe High School now teacher Prince William County Public School

    • Romanda Noble- Watson Sports Information Director Claflin University

    • Jashell Mitchell, former Director of Football Operations, NCCU now Manager, Diversity and Inclusion for the NFL

    • Nnemna Akotaobi, former Sr Associate AD for Swarthmore College now Acting Executive Director Black Women in Sport Foundation

    • Markeisha Everett, former Director of Marketing, Sales & Fan Engagement at Georgia Tech now Assistant AD University of Pittsburgh

    • Angel Mason, former Assoc. AD/SWA at Hamilton College now AD for Berry College

    • Jennifer Lynn Williams, former Assoc. AD for Development at NC A& T and now AD Alabama State University

    • Barvenia Wooten Blue Star Basketball Evaluator now CEO Richmond Roadrunners Women's Professional Basketball

    • Millicient Callahan Owner Elite 35 Sports Institute

    • Dr. Angelina Nelson, Owner, Purpose 2 Inspire

    • Carole Walker, Sr. Assoc. Director, LSU

    • Mary McElroy, former Exec. Sr. Assoc. AD/SWA Temple now Sr. Assoc Commissioner Women's Basketball ACC

    • Kreslyn Kelley-Ellis Owner of For Leading Women and Author of The Fear Factor

    • Dee Todd, First African- American Women Assistant Commissioner for the ACC, A Legend

    • Diane Richardson, Former Assistant Basketball George Washington now Head Basketball at Towson

    • Kim Ford Morgan former Director of Business Development at USATF now Adjunct Faculty at Martin University

    • Delise O'Meally, CEO Institute for Sport and Social Justice

    • Tanisha Huff Director of Basketball Operations University of Hawaii-Manoa

    • Dorianne Johnson former AD Wilberforce University now AD for Harris Stowe State University

    • Linda Bell, former Associate AD, University of Wisconsin-Parkside now SWA/Director of Compliance for Fort Valley State University

    • Wendy Waters, Director of Infractions Appeals Committees, NCAA

    • Loretta Lamar, Sr Assoc. AD Naval Academy

    • Shavannia Williams, owner Heels and Helmets and now Marketing Manager, Atlanta Falcons

    • Angie Torian, former Deputy AD University of Immaculate Word now Sr. Assoc. AD University of Notre Dame

    • Gail Dent, Associate Director of Public and Media Relations, NCAA

    • Joan Cronan, former AD University of Tennessee now Author and Consultant

    • Tisa Silver Canady, Author and Collegiate Financial Wellness Expert

    • Alecia Shields Gadson former Interim AD Coppin now Associate AD for Delaware State University

    • Gail Barksdale former Deputy AD IUPUI and former AD Sonoma State University

    • Dr. Tiese Roxbory, former Assistant Dir. of Research, Assessment & Academic Success now Dir. of Educational Opportunities Initiatives for Univ. of Michigan-Flint

    • Alicia English former Assistant Director of Annual Giving University of Tennessee Now Assistant AD- Revenue Enhancement

    • Sharon Brummell, Sr Assoc AD Georgetown University

    • Candice Lee former Deputy AD Vanderbilt now AD for Vanderbilt

    • Sherryta Freeman former Sr. Assoc. AD University of Penn now AD Lafayette College

    • Etienne Thomas former Associate AD NC Central University now AD Winston-Salem State University

    • Anita Hicks

    • Ariel Germain former Director of Marketing Winston-Salem State University now Assistant AD for Marketing and Fan Engagement at NC Central

    • Dr. Beverly Downing former Acting Provost Coppin University now Associate Provost for Huston-Tillotson University

    • Dr. Adrienne Johnson, former Coca-Cola Exec and now author

    • Dr. Lenora Armstrong, Assistant Professor and Academic Counselor at Norfolk State University

    • Dr. Stephany Coakley, Founder Maximum Mental Training Associates LLC and now Sr. Assoc. AD for Mental Health, Wellness and Performance

    • Courtney Lovely, former Sr Assoc AD Palm Beach Atlantic now AD of Palm Beach Atlantic

    • Helen Williams, author of the book "Coach Like A Mother"

  • 3

    Season 3 Chat in the Garden 2015-16

    • Kelly Mehrtens, Managing Director, The TRUST

    • Karen Carty, former Athletics Marketing Director, South Carolina State University, now Assistant AD for Marketing and Fan Engagement at Bradley University

    • Dr. Avis DeWeaver, founder Exceptional Leadership Institute for Woman

    • Dr. Genese Lavalais former Assistant AD Jackson State University now Assistant AD for Academics for Hampton University

    • Dena Freeman - Patton, former Deputy Athletic Director California State Bakersfield now Deputy AD/COO University of New Orleans

    • K. Renia Edwards, Sr. Assoc. AD Mississippi Valley State University

    • Dr. Kristene Kelly former AD Keene State College Executive Associate AD for Varsity Sports/SWA

    • Rachelle Pierce, AD Sallie B. Howard SCHOOL H.S.

    • Carla Williams former Deputy AD University of Georgia now AD for University of Virginia

    • Alexxis Hutchinson, former staff at IMG College

    • Dawn Ellerbe , former Assistant AD Cal State East Bay now Assoc. AD California State University Northridge

    • Patricia Porter Mayfield former Director of Corporate Partnerships Spectra now Executive Assistant to the Dean VCU

    • Kelsel Thompson former AD at Paul Quinn College now External Affairs Manager for Paul Quinn College

    • Donna Izzard, former owner the CEO Factory

    • Jackee Meadows Co-owner CoachAbility

    • Amber Armstrong former Sr. Dir Culture and Communications, Learfield now Dir. of Special Events for San Jose State University

    • Pamela Smith, former Assoc AD for Southern University

    • Natalie Randolph former TitleIX Coordinator/SWA FOR DC State Athletic Association, no Director of Equity, Justice and Community for Sidweil Friends School

    • Beverly and Associates Higher Education Consultant and Search Firm

    • Natasha Wilson, former Associate AD/SWA Compliance JC Smith University Now VP Student Life and Athletics Central Methodist Univ

    • Jocelyn Fisher Gates, former Sr. Assoc Univ of South Florida now Sr. Assoc AD/SWA Boston College

    • Dr. Julie Shaw, former Faculty member NCAA Women's Coaches Academy

    • Ericka Austin, Manager of Trade marks and Licensing for Purdue University

    • T. Marie Stickler, former Sports Management Instructor Miami University now Sports Management Instructor Xavier Univerity

    • Reese Lovelace former Dir Student Athlete Development University of Oregon now Assistant AD for Student Athlete Development for the University of Maryland College Park

    • Domineque Scott, Executive Director, United Through Sport USA

    • Camelia Blake Lanier former Assistant AD Compliance for St. Augustine's College now Director of Academics Football Campbell University

    • Dee Dee Merritt, former Assoc Director of Leadership Development, NCAA now Director of Leadership Development for the NCAA

    • Leslie Rowls, Director Student Athlete Academic Enhancement Program NC A&T University

    • Tiffany Tucker, former Dir. for Administration, Sponsorship and Governance Hampton University, now Sr. Assoc. AD, UNC Wilmington

    • Katari Key, former Assoc. AD for Morehouse University

    • Charolette Hunt, Assistant AD Texas Women University

    • Neema Connors former Assoc AD UMES now Assistant Dir of Athletic Certification & Residency for Univ. Texas San Antonio

    • Nedra Brown, Assoc. AD Saginaw Valley State University, now AD Grossmont College

    • Dr. Angel Brutus, Owner Synergistic Solutions and Now Director Counseling and Sports Psychology Mississippi State University

    • Deana Garner Senior Associate AD Arizona State University

    • Kaylah Hughes Athletic Operations ODU now Assistant Director FB & Basketball Operations Big 10 Conferance

    • Erica Rivers former AD Roxbury Community College now COO 3Point Foundation

    • Andrea Williams, former Commissioner Big Sky Conference now COO College Football Playoffs

    • Dr. Cara Wright Holdsclaw, former Business Operations NBA G League now Sr. Assoc. AD External Operations for Columbia

    • Noelle Faith Founder AfroSwimmers

    • Dr. Charlotte Westerhause-Renfrow, Clinical Assistant Professor of Management and Business Law Indiana University

    • Krystal Beachum, founder AthleteUnite

  • 4

    Season 4 Chat in the Garden 2016-17

    • Donnita Rogers, AD Langston University

    • Dr. Beverly Hogan, former President Tougalow

    • Dr. Cynthia Warrick, President Stillman College

    • Elissa Burwell, AD Texas College

    • Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, President Huston-Tillotson

    • Chloe Barnes former owner Elle Grace Consulting now Chief of Staff Oscar Health

    • Merlene Aiken-Smith, former Sr. Assoc, AD/SWA Clayton State University now Sr. Assoc. AD Grambling State University

    • Jana Brooks, Manager Event & Tenant Service, Maryland Stadium Authority

    • Branwen Smith King Owner Bermuda Sloop Foundation, former Exec Assist AD Tufts

    • Dr. Kim Miller, former Assoc AD Western Colorado Univ now Deputy AD/SWA Savannah State University

    • Kenisha Rhone, Dir Digital Media & Social Strategy, Belmont University

    • LaTaya Hilliard Gray, Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    • Tiffani-Dawn Sykes former Assistant AD Grambling State now Assoc. AD Dartmouth College

    • Keisha Dunlap, Sr Assoc. Commissioner, COO Conference USA

    • Dr. Paula Jackson, Assistant AD/SWA Hampton University

    • Jen Fry owner of Jen Fry Talks

    • Dr. Monique Carroll, former Assoc AD External Operations, Prairie View University, Now AD for Huston-Tillotson University

    • Lakithea Murray, former Sr. Assoc AD The College of New Jersey now Assistant Director of Championships for the NCAA

    • Natasha Oaks, Sr. Assoc. AD/SWA Univ. North Texas

    • Christine Hampton Jackson Assoc. AD/Exec. Dir. Athletic Academics, Mississippi State University

    • Patricia Murray, former FAR Virginia Union University

    • Katreshia Verrett, Sr. Assoc AD/SWA Univ. of Alabama Birmingham

    • Felecia Johnson former Assoc. AD/SWA Virginia Union University now AD for Virginia Union University

    • Dr. Miriam Merrell, former Assoc. AD/SWA Hamilton College, now AD Pomona-Pitzer

    • Nancy Lake, Assoc. AD/SWA Shaw University

    • Zekeya Harrison, Assistant AD for Athletic Media Relations Tennessee State University

    • Dr. Janice Hilliard Owner Hilliard Solutions, LLC

    • Dr. Robin Martin, President Leading Beyond the Post

    • Dominque Woods, former Director of football Mercer University, now Team Operations Manager for University of Delaware

    • Temeka Samuels, former Ticket Operations Manager, Kroenke Sports Entertainment now Deputy AD University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

    • Sherie Gordon, former AD Albany State University, no Chief of State Humboldt State University

    • Sahar Abdur Rashid, Assistant Director of Championships, Media Coordinator, Statistics for the NCAA

    • Shardonay Blueford, Director Compliance Georgia Tech

    • Nona Richards, Sr. Asoc. AD/SWA Univ of Utah

    • Erienne Roberts, former Assist AD/SWA Slippery Rock University now Assoc AD Ithaca College

    • JP Abercrumbie former Assist. AD/SWA Mississippi State University now Assistant AD for Rice University

    • Colleen Cannon, former SWA Limetone College now Assistant AD for Queens University of Charlotte, NC

    • Toyinda Smith author "Unleash your Potential"

    • Brittany Johnson Assoc AD Student-Athlete Support Series Prairie View A&M University

    • Melody Webb Sr. Assoc AD/SWA Norfolk State University

    • Dr. Courtney Flowers, Assoc Professor Sports Management for Texas Southern University

    • Dr. Akilah Cater Francique, Past President North American Society for the Sociology of Sport now Exec. Director Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change

    • Chasity Melvin, former development staff KayYow Cancer Foundation now Assist BK Coach Loyola Univ.

    • Patrina King, Author 9 Holes 9 Goals

    • Tina Kelly, former Marketing Manager IMG Academy no co-founder Impact Consulting Group

    • Tywanna Smith author "Surviving the Lights, A Professional Athlete Playbook to avoiding the curse"

  • 5

    Season 5 Chat in the Garden 2017-18

    • LaChina Robinson, host of ESPNW Podcast and Basketball Analyst/Reporter for ESPN

    • Allissa Cummings, former Plays Inc. Coordinator, NFL Players Association now Partner Management for the NBA

    • Dr. Jasmine Green AD City College of Chicago Harry S. Truman College

    • Corliss Fingers, Director of Strength and Conditioning, Bethune Cookman University

    • Rochelle Taylor, AD Henry Ford Community College

    • Dr. Ashley Baker former Assoc AD/SWA Xavier University now Chief Inclusion Officer for Xavier University

    • Kirsten Elleby Assoc AD/SWA University of New Orelans

    • Courtnie Prather, former Assist AD Loyola University, now Assoc AD/SWA Univ. California Santa Cruz

    • Monica Lebron, Assoc AD/SWA Univ. of New Orleans

    • Lydia Travis AD City College of New York

    • Jaunelle White, Sr. Assoc AD/SWA IUPUI

    • Dr. Chaunte Baldwell O'Neal, Former Assist AD for Academics Olympics Sports University of Miami

    • Deandra Duggans, Dir Advertising and Branding at Baltimore Ravens

    • Khalilah Harrison, former Exec. Dir. YMCA of South Hampton Roads now Regional Exec Dir YMCA of VA Peninsula

    • Allison Waymyers Owner and Founder Spry Players Group LLC

    • Dena Batton Freeman

    • Krissica Harper, Founder KLH Services

    • Ragean Hill, former SWA Assoc. AD ODU now Exec. Assoc AD/SWA UNC Charlotte

    • Dr. Dwalah Fisher SWA Assistant AD Texas Southern University

    • Brehanna Daniels Tire Changer NASCAR

    • Ajhanai Newton Anderson Instructor and Researcher & PHd Student at UConn

    • Ayanna Tweety, former Assist AD for Compliance Pomona College now Assoc AD Wabash College

    • Dr. Katrice Albert former Executive VP of Inclusion & Human Resources at NCAA now Exec. VP for Strategy to Action

    • Rosemary Stribling, former Athletics Academic Advisor International Student-Athletes, California State University Bakersfield

    • Wilhelmina Harrison, former Academic Advisor Norfolk State University

    • Mykala Sandigez, former Assistant Director Annual Fund Univ of Kansas

    • Alisha Tucker, Associate Athletics Director Norfolk State University

    • Nicole Mitchell, former Lead Academic Advisor, Football & Women's Basketball at Stony Brook University now Associate Director of Student-Athlete Services for Georgia Southern University

    • Kristen Brown, former Associate AD University of Maryland now Deputy AD/SWA Texas A&M University

    • Kirsten MCCowan, Assistant Commissioner, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

    • Sherese Parker, former SWA Chicago State University now AD for City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College

    • Virentte House-Browning, former Sr Associate AD, Cleveland State University

    • Chetara Murphy, AD Medgar Evers College

    • Charlene Johnson AD Voorhees College

    • Kaila'Shea Menendez, Director of Leadership Programming & Events at Women Leaders in College Sports

    • Dr. Deborah Stroman, Founder Center Sports Business and Analytics

    • Sonya Hurt, Dir. Student Athlete Support at Rider University

    • Dr. Carlitta Moore, Former Assistant AD for Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer Fayetteville State University now Clinical Education Coordinator /Assistant Professor Arkansas State University

    • Alva Champion Amaker, founder of A & A Athletic Consulting & Owner Vigilance Safety Training Center

    • Bria Bennett, Community Partnership Coordinator, Towson University

    • Laila Brock, former Sr. Director of Team Operations and Logistics, College Football Playoffs now VP Sponsorship Sales and Operations for JMI Sports

    • Jasmine Quinn, Director of Championships/SWA SWAC

    • Erica Nelson, Director Student-Athlete Development Univ. of Arkansas

    • Dr. Markesha Henderson, former Director for Innovative Teaching Learning Engagement Clark Atlanta now AD for Agnes Scott College

  • 6

    Season 6 A Chat in the Podcasts

    • Michelle_Christie

    • Dr._LaKeitha_Poole

    • Replay_-_Tywanna_Smith

    • Candice_Martin

    • Tiffany_Greene

    • Tiffany_Greene

    • Cori_Pinkett

    • Chasity_Brown

    • Femi_Alao

    • Dr._Zaneta_Ivy

    • Angela_Suggs

    • Kala_Flag

    • Madison_McKinney

    • Darlene_Gordon

    • Krista_Worthy

    • Pamm_Zierfuss-Hubbard

    • Edneisha_Curry

    • Rekaya_Gibson

    • Kisha_Middleton

    • Jess_Poole

    • Makini_Thompson

    • Kelsey_Harris

    • Janet_Eaton

    • Keanah_Smith

    • Replay_-_LaTanya_Story

    • Replay_-_Nona_Richardson

    • Dr._Monique_Ositelu

    • Ariel_Arnold

    • Kendra_Pollard

    • Replay_-_JP_Abercrumbie

    • Candice_Johnson

    • Akilah_Laster

    • Dr._Jasmine_Hamilton

    • Keisha_Shelby

    • Replay_-_Donnita_Rogers

    • Tiffany_Aidoo

    • Katasha_Turner

    • Chamique_Francis

    • Replay_-_Merlen_Aitken_Smith

    • Jade_Burroughs

    • Ese_Ighedosa

    • Dr._Mari_Ross-Alexander

    • Epiphany_Clark

    • Replay_-_Sharon_Brummell

    • Martina_Ballen

    • Trista_Langdon

    • Replay_-_Dr._Akilah_Carter-Francique

    • Sydney_Moman

    • Nichole_Person_

    • Reshauna_Cobb