Meet Nzinga Shaw, the Atlanta Hawks’ new chief diversity and inclusion officer

• Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks officials had a crisis on their hands during the NBA offseason. Majority owner Bruce Levenson volunteered to sell his share of the team due to his disparaging remarks about the team’s black fanbase. Not long after his comments came to light, team officials indefinitely suspended General Manager Danny Ferry for making racist remarks about NBA forward Luol Deng.

Hawks CEO Steve Koonin embarked on an apology tour in the following weeks. He announced the creation of a “chief diversity and inclusion officer” executive position. Two months later, the position has been filled by Nzinga Shaw, a senior vice president at Edelman. Shaw has worked to help ensure diversity within the world’s largest PR firm since spring 2010.

Prior to Edelman, Shaw held similar positions at Essence, the National Football League, and Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network. She holds degrees from both Spelman College and the University of Pennsylvania.

In a statement, Shaw says her role with the team will be focused on helping to “shift the culture” of the Hawks organization to become more inclusive with players, team employees, and fans.

CL has requested an interview with Shaw. Hawks staffers today posted a short interview on the team’s website. Here’s a brief look at how she views her new role (and, oddly enough, how she’s never used an alarm clock before):

Hawks.com: What do you feel is missing in most diversity strategies today?

NS: Most diversity strategies do not focus on infusing diversity at all levels of the organization, particularly in the senior ranks. In order to have a comprehensive diversity & inclusion strategy, there must be broad-based representation of all employees at decision and policy making levels. In the past, companies relegated the diversity & inclusion function under the human resources umbrella, limiting exposure and reach, and minimizing senior leaders’ level of accountability for success in this area. Now, we are learning that diversity & inclusion can be a strategic partner to the talent development function, but can also serve as an important resource for revenue generation and external partnerships, but it must be championed and embodied at the top.

Hawks.com: What will you do to achieve those goals?

NS: In my role as the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, I will help our organization continue to rebuild trust and partnership in the Atlanta community, emphasizing civility, sportsmanship, and human decency in an effort to ensure that everyone can be a fan of the team, attend home games, and so that we can serve as a model for inclusion in the NBA. Specifically, I plan to partner with organizational leaders, community partners and emerging communities to build sustainable programs that leverage our strengths and establish our organization as an employer and partner of choice in the NBA.

Hawks.com: What is a fun fact about you?

NS: I have never owned or used an alarm clock in my entire life. All of my family and friends are astonished by my ability to wake up early every day without the use of a buzzer, cell phone, etc. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. Also, I have never been late to work or missed a flight due to oversleeping.

You can read the rest of her NBA.com Q&A here.

UPDATE, 3:08 p.m.: Rev. Markel Hutchins, one of several civil rights leaders who last September met with Hawks officials, commended the hiring this afternoon.

“Because Atlanta is America’s bedrock of social and racial justice, the Hawks can and should be a model of equality and inclusiveness,” Hutchins said in a statement. “It is my hope that the Hawks’ trail blazing actions will inspire a corporate culture of accountability and commitment among other NBA franchises, and all other professional sports organizations, to proactively address issues of racism, sexism, homophobia and servility that have heretofore been pervasive in the sports industry.”