Feature
In Five With Atlanta Braves’ Sabrina Jenkins
Sabrina Jenkins has been a staple with the Atlanta Braves for nearly three decades. As vice president of Special Events, she provides leadership on everything from contract negotiations and event logistics to the organization’s Supplier Diversity Program. Having not only distinguished herself with Atlanta’s Major League sports franchise, Jenkins’ efforts in both business and community have landed her among Atlanta’s 100 Top Black Women of Influence for the last eight years; a designation bestowed by the Atlanta Business League. Executive, mentor, civic engager — Jenkins wears many hats well. But, what’s most inspiring is that this is the very career she set out for. So, we couldn’t help but tap her for a quick chat about her life behind the scenes.
The one thing I absolutely love about my job is that no two days are the same. Each day depends on which project I’m currently juggling along with managing my staff. One day, I could be working on stadium-wide concert logistics and the next day I could be focusing on an upcoming meeting or luncheon for 200 people. It all depends on what event is coming down the pike and needs to be addressed.
AT: Is this the career you set out to have?
Yes, it is. My goal after graduating from college with a degree in marketing was to work for a professional sports team. I took the marketing skills I had obtained and merged it with the passion I had for athletics. A year after graduating, my resume was plucked from a stack of resumes by the Ticket Sales manager with the Atlanta Braves. That is how my career started. I always tell people it was no one but God who blessed me with my career. I had zero contacts in the industry. The one thing I did have was determination! Once I got the opportunity, I worked hard and expanded my career within the organization. Now, I have several areas of discipline under my belt — Ticket Sales, Advertising/Marketing, Supplier Diversity and Special Events. As long as you stay in line with what God has for you, every goal you seek can be achieved.
What is the best thing about what you do every day?
I get to create and bring events to life. There’s nothing more exciting in my job than to start out with a client’s vision and watch it come to fruition through hard work, planning and execution.
Share your personal mantra.
Always show people the respect you would like in return.
As a mentor, if you could share just one tip that you believe would take a budding young executive the distance in their career, what would it be?
Be authentic in everything you do because people can see through fakeness, and make sure you reach back and help someone else.