Meet Brooke Gladney: Entreprenuer & Marketing Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brooke Gladney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brooke, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In undergrad, my best friend convinced me to take a African American Studies class, which resulted in my falling in live with Black History, as well as declaring it as my minor. Fast forward to my last year of graduate school, I began working on what became Black Responsibility.

I wanted a way for black people to learn about our history. Many of us don’t begin to learn about our history until we’re older, if that. At the time it was becoming more popular to say King and Queen, but many of us said it because it sounded good, without having any real knowledge of our history. I want black people to know how great we are and why. I felt that using clothes to educate would be great. Clothes are a talking point and it’s subtle. Black Responsibility clothing makes those “You learn something new everyday.” moments.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was born in Atlanta and and raised in Metro Atlanta, in the Southside. However, for the past year and a half, I’ve been based in the Dallas-Forth Worth area in Texas, so I go back and forth. I’m currently the Marketing and Operations Director for a black-owned football technology company, Interactive Football. I’ve been working for the company for a year.

Honestly, I made it this far in my career by working hard consistently, meeting phenomenal people and being a great person. All of which aren’t possible without the proper mindset. I attended Georgia State University for my M.S. in Sports Administration, where I met Portia Benbow, who became a mentor and friend. She gave me an opportunity to intern with the GSU Women’s Basketball program and it snowballed from there. Post-graduation, Portia brought me onbaord to assist her with the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream team, whils she was the Director of Basketball Operations. After the 2018 WNBA season, I served as an Americorps member, at the Historic Andrew and Walter Young YMCA for a year, which transitioned into Sports Coordinator position, which I loved. About a month into my role, I recieve a call from Brock Berenato, one of my Atlanta Dream coworkers, who was then working for the Texas Legends (Dallas Mavericks G League team). The Legends had an opportunity that he felt I’d be interested in. Due to my strong interest in STEM Education , as well as the passion for youth sports, I knew that Texas would be a good career move. Needless to say, I was interested in the opportunity. A few interviews later, it landed me in Texas. When the Pandemic hit and I made a decision to transition into my current role.

I am and will forever be most proud of the impact that I have in people’s lives, most importantly my family and friends. I am very family and community oriented. All the work that I do, whether for Black Responsibility or any other endeavors, my focus is the benefit that it will have on those that may be influenced, especially within the black community. I saw many things growing up and as I transitioned into adulthood, I began to intellectualize the errors in the society and the causes behind some the negative experiences that my friends, family, and myself had as youth. Real life started for me at the age of sixteen, so there were definitely many trial and tribulations, but I made a conscious decision to take things as they come and handle them. These things made me who I am and are from which my personal mission stems from. Black Responsibility is certainly a by-product of it all. With that being said, there are many solutions to the problems that conflict the black community, as well as the world. I feel that self-love and knowledge of self (history), as well as STEM education and entreprenuership can help solve some of the problems. I just do my best, handling my part of the shared responsibility of solving the problems through the things that interest me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Monday – We’d go to Old National for a catfish nugget plate form Yasin’s HomeStyle Seafood.

Tuesday – Pick a random place to eat at either in downtown or midtown and go to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Wednesday – Lunch at Mangos Carribean Restaurant and wallk around downtown, stopping by Dr. King’s house and the King Center, etc.

Thursday – A chill day spending time with friends and family

Friday – Hawks game, probably eat at the Hudson Grille because its right next to the arena.

Saturday night – Meet some friends at Wet Willie’s

Saturday or Sunday – Knowing me, we’ll be all over the metro Atlanta area. One day for lunch, My village is so big that there is always someone cooking, so one of the days we will have to pull up on the family.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As far as Black Repsonsibility is concerned, the top shoutouts have to go to my youngest brother Adrian because he’s my inspiration and motivation always. Then it’s JB, Freddie, Reann, and last but not least, my co-host of the Black Repsonsibiility Podcast, Kyle Poe. As far as the big picture is concerned, it truly took a village, so shoutout to mine. They all know who they are.

Website: blckr.org

Instagram: @blackresponsibility

Facebook: Black Responsibility

Other: Black Responsibility Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify and Anchor.

Image Credits
Brand Abernathy/3 Cent Media Ventures (_3centmedia_) Nick / @cameraman_stan on Instagram