Icon – Dr. Charlene Thomas

Charlene Thomas is an accomplished entertainment industry executive matched with a PhD in Marketing alongside a M.B.A. in International Marketing. Thomas has contributed to the success of 3 major multi-million-dollar conglomerates: LOUD Records, Rocafella Records 

and Slip-N-Slide Records, all by spearheading innovative and uniquely successful marketing campaigns for artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Jay Z, Rick Ross, Funkmaster Flex, Mobb Deep, Jagged Edge, Big Pun; in addition to, signing Academy Award (c) Winning Three 6 Mafia and platinum-recording artist Lil Flip. Thomas’ music repertoire also includes ingeniously devised collaborations with high-profile entertainers such as Jennifer Lopez, Wyclef Jean, Puff Daddy, Method Man, Lil' Kim, and Ron Isley. 

Simultaneously, Thomas similarly achieved noteworthy goals at the Steve Rifkind Company as she cross-marketed under-the-radar pop culture trends and reversed declining market shares for brands such as: Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Miramax Films, Hugo Boss, Starter, and Levis by strategizing alignments with high-profile entertainers Wu-Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill and Chico Debarge (to name a few). 

Thomas expanded her prowess by consulting top sports professionals and organizations such as Kenyon Martin, Kenny Smith, Floyd Mayweather, Shaun Rogers, Matt Barnes, NBPA (to name a few) which in turn led to her contribution towards the launch and evolution of Ice Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league. Thomas continues her-story, as the Vice President of Marketing at Def Jam Recordings enhancing her professional profile by curating and executing marketing strategies for artists like Ye, 2 Chainz, LLCool J, Jeezy, Fabolous, DMX, Jadakiss, Fredo Bang, Hit-Boy, Dave East, Benny the Butcher, Public Enemy, Lady London, Muniz Long, Stonebwoy, soundtracks (The Hate U Give, Coming 2 America 2, The NEW House Party, Bladder Runner: Black Lotus) and more. Of equal importance, Thomas rounds out her personal, professional, and academic portrait by aligning with various civil servants, community-based organizations, and foundations such as BHMC Community Affairs, Make A Wish, Top Spin, Operation Gobble, and 91 Ways to create programs and events that address current affairs within BIPOC communities.