nekeda newell-hall
Non Profit Executive, partnership management, and Creative Problem Solver in Los Angeles, CA
Nekeda’s career uniquely and effectively combines philanthropy, sports, and entertainment. As the Chief Strategy Officer for Shoes That Fit, a nonprofit that empowers kids, she was tasked with launching the Strategic Partners program. She leads the team that partners with corporations, celebrities, and athletes to donate new athletic shoes for kids in need. Some of the most notable partnerships Nekeda has helped to steward at Shoes That Fit include NBA stars Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Malik Beasley, DeAndre Bembry, MLB star Clayton Kershaw, the LA Kings, LA Galaxy, San Antonio Spurs, LA Dodgers, LA Lakers, LA Rams, Atlanta Hawks, Nordstrom, Geico, Mercedes-Benz USA and Porsche Cars North America.
In addition to her work at Shoes That Fit, she partners with strut AGENCY consulting with brands and celebrities on their philanthropic efforts and marketing initiatives. She is most proud of her work with Gatorade, Viacom, Nickelodeon, Women's Foundation of the South, and VolunteerMatch. She co-hosts the podcast The Sole Chronicles (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and produces the Tidal Podcast.
Nekeda got her start working in Player and Talent Relations for the NBA. Pitching and booking celebrities and sports stars for book deals, television commercials, voice-overs, and sitcom appearances fascinated her so she went to work at WME Agency and ICM Partners. She honed formidable negotiation skills. Building and nurturing relationships has become one of her superpowers. Not surprisingly, she boasts a golden contacts list.
Ms. Newell-Hall has been at the forefront of product placement and brand integration for many years after pioneering product-gifting suites at FOX’s 2nd Teen Choice Awards and subsequently setting an industry standard. Nekeda spent five years as the Associate Director of Entertainment Marketing at Nike, where she led entertainment marketing, ops, music, film, and TV for the sports giant. She worked with Usher, Janet Jackson, Destiny’s Child, Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Celine Dion, and many others.
Nekeda resides in LA. She is a graduate of Grambling State University and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Nekeda’s ultimate goal is to leverage her corporate, entertainment, and sports relationships to help make the world a better and more joyful place through DEIB and philanthropy.