Shatonna Nelson is known as one of the best crisis management experts globally, but she wears several hats including celebrity & political strategist, television producer, philanthropist, inclusion educator, and high-performance coach.
Her public recognition of the importance of mental health made in a compassionate post dedicated to Simon Biles is definitely one for the books.
Shatonna is currently the only working strategist who has worked across all genres of influence domestically and internationally from music, television, politics, healthcare, big business, and corporate takeovers, to sports, civil rights, tech, solar energy, and organized crime; there isn’t a single area of American life that hasn’t been impacted or influenced by Shatonna Nelson’s personal work and public relations firm.
With more than a decade of experience as a strategist, Shatonna has racked up numerous accomplishments. She was honored with the Yellow Rose of Texas in 2019 by the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, and honored with a proclamation by the governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, she has an official day in the city of Houston (February 28th) and as of 2022, she is being honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award endorsed by the Biden Administration.
As a strategist, her firm, The Finest Hour PR Firm has worked with many of Hollywood elites and businesses including Robert Dinero, Stevie Wonder, The Obama Administration, Deion Sanders, Cameron Diaz, Samaritan’s Feet, Ubisoft, Roc Nation, Def Jam to name a few.
As a high-performance coach, Shatonna Nelson has worked with C-Suite executives to help with the culture of their companies by implementing better work environments as well as leadership. She also has created multiple millionaires in her personal sessions. The combination of strategy and motivational practices has proven a great success record for Shatonna’s coaching practice.
Born in Detroit, Michigan to a military family, Shatonna is no stranger to diversity and understanding the importance of community. Traveling all over the country, Shatonna attributes most of her upbringing to the time her family spent living in Oak Grove, Louisiana, and Fort Hood, Texas. Shatonna’s first professional project came at 16 years old and would land her mentorship from ABC Nightlines’ Cynthia McFadden. She not only excels but uses her influence for good by creating philanthropic and education television contact. Also, as of 2022, Shatonna has led events that have given over 700,000 pairs of shoes to underprivileged children, 70,000 backpacks with school supplies, and has given more than 30,000 families food across the United States.
FEMI- What does being one of the best crisis management experts mean to you?
SN: It means being a part of others’ legacies and being the light in the darkness. I am able to help many find a redemption point despite mistakes or unpreventable circumstances. It is also being able to help brands and companies prevent crises that could ruin their hard work.
FEMI- What is your most memorable moment on this journey?
SN: My most memorable moment is not a crisis management moment. It is when I was able to participate in Essence Festival for the “So So Def” takeover. There was just so much genuine love and so many artists I grew up listening to. I was who they looked to during that weekend for strategic planning. It turned out incredible and catapulted my career.
FEMI: What advice would you give to someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
SN: Take your time. Be yourself. Be well-researched. Also, conduct yourself with character. Only take on clients you feel confident you can help.
FEMI: Congratulations on your Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, please share with us what that means to you.
SN: This award is community service based. It means that you have put in at least 4000 hours in the community worldwide. Knowing it is based on service makes me feel a sense of pride. I get to work with many influencers, and I have been blessed to travel this planet so domestically and internationally, but nothing compares to being able to serve. I am most gratified when I serve and impact the people around me. I am honored and I hope to leave a Mother Teresa-like a legacy.
FEMI: Is there anyone from your childhood you contributed to who and what you are now, what would you say to them?
SN: My grandmother. She has always led by example. She played a major part in raising all of her grandchildren. When she taught me the value of having a good character, keeping my word, and keeping God first. I take those lessons with me
FEMI: What was your assignment, job, or client that you enjoyed the most and why?
SN: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s Tycoon weekend was incredible. It was fun and charity all mixed together.
50, brought out so many people in the industry. It was good company, with plenty of laughs. It did not feel like work at all.
Discover more about Shatonna Nelson by visiting her website!
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