IN 25 WORDS OR LESS
That’s it. Leaders and influencers, who are usually given the floor for as long as they like, are limited here to condensed responses (no more than 25 words) that get straight to the point.
Never be afraid to let go, only then can you find out if you are able to soar.
– THE BASICS
Name: Sherri Young
Age: 40s • Status: Single • Kids: No
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, NY • Raised: San Francisco, CA
Professional Background: Founder of the African-American Shakespeare Company for over 20 years. Received a Master of Arts in Theater from American Conservatory Theater and an alum of San Francisco State University. Former Commissioner of the San Francisco Arts Commission serving under Gavin Newsome.
– WORK
Job(s) held that is most unlike what I currently do now: Sold bricks on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Field: Arts – theater performances
Title: Founder and Executive Director
Company: African-American Shakespeare Company – San Francisco, CA,
What it does and what I do: Performing Shakespeare and other classics with an African-American cultural perspective..
– PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Significant Challenge (business/professional): Working with someone that has no idea what they are doing . . . but is arrogant to think they do.
Significant Mistake (business/professional): Bigger does not always equal better. Paid $10k in television ads only to have 3 people in the audience for our Cinderella on New Year’s Eve.
Significant Accomplishment (business/professional): Starting and growing the African-American Shakespeare Company. Getting a $100,000 grant.
Biggest Challenge(es): Passionate about what I do in life.
Biggest Weakness(es): If I care, then I tend to care too much.
Career Advice: Never be afraid to let go, only then can you find out if you are able to soar.
– PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
Significant Challenge (personal): I’ve been through the hardest thing in life is to lose your parent. Everything after this is easier to handle.
Significant Accomplishment (personal): I cannot mention just one, but it always focus on doing things I didn’t think I could.
Life Advice: This is not a dress rehearsal. Dare to dream.
– LIFESTYLE
Trait(s) most admired in others: Strength, honesty, empathy, and common sense.
Some causes/organizations I support: Stop smoking campaigns. My mother died six years ago from lung cancer. It was on the level of watching someone gasping for air.
Hours of “personal” downtime/week: 5
Favorite activity(s) in my personal downtime: Real Housewives (ALL OF THEM). . . a guilty pleasure – I can’t help it!
Three of my favorite local hangouts: LaBoulangerie, Noir Lounge . . . lobby of the African-American Art & Culture Complex.
Three of my favorite TV shows: Real Housewives franchise, People v. OJ Simpson, Married at First Sight.
Favorite Vacation Spot(s): Tahiti, Hawaii, and Napa (anywhere warm and not home).
Place(s) I would like to visit: Cruise to Alaska, go to see the Northern Lights.
Favorite Pastime/Hobby(s): Cooking competitions with my sister(s), singing for no good reason, bursts of delight and laughter just because.
Favorite Book(s): How to Write Successful Fundraising Letters by Mal Warwick (I love learning how to do my work better).
Some of my most-admired people (excluding parents): Thomas Simpson (AfroSolo), Janine Young (she’s awesome).
Something about me that may surprise you: I sing all the time at the drop of a hat – my life is a musical.
