Speaker Series

Legendary Conversations: Jordan Brand Chairman Shares His Incredible Story of Resilience and Perseverance

Event Overview

Larry Miller spent decades spearheading the wild success of the Jordan Brand — one of the most iconic and pervasive brands the world has ever seen. But throughout his work with superstar athletes, A-list celebrities and high-profile executives, he kept a disturbing secret — a troubled past that included gang activity and murder. WWT's SHADES Employee Resource Group (ERG) is pleased to host a conversation with Miller and Urban Youth Racing School Director of Operations Michelle Martin as they talk about Miller's remarkable story of resilience, perseverance and reinvention, and how Miller's rise from the streets to the boardroom reinforces the importance of second chances and removing the stigma behind incarceration. Miller's book — Jump: My Secret Journey From the Streets to the Boardroom, which he co-authored with his daughter, Laila — was published in January 2022. https://jumpmysecretjourney.com/

Featured Speakers

Larry Miller

Nike, Inc.

Named the first chairman of the Jordan Brand Advisory Board, Larry Miller led Michael Jordan's $200-million basketball shoe company to become a $4-billion athletic apparel global powerhouse. He was president of the Portland Trailblazers from 2007-2012 and has served in leadership and advocacy roles for several nonprofits. In Jump, Miller begins his story with the violence of his upbringing and incarceration and shares his later opportunities of education, redemption, and success.

Michelle Martin

Urban Youth Racing School

Director of Operations

Michelle Martin is the COO for Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS) and oversees their branding, marketing research, and emerging markets, as well as being responsible for building, coordinating and implementing programs that incorporate all UYRS assets. UYRS is a nationally acclaimed innovative educational program that introduces urban students to "STEM" using motorsports. She is Co-Founder of the two notable organizations, the What It Takes Foundation, and Handbags 4 Peace.

Brian Sharpless

World Wide Technology

Director, Diversity Business Development

Brian Sharpless is the Director of Diversity Business Development for the Global Enterprise Sales organization, East Region at WWT. He leads a team of Diversity Business Development Mangers that grow the business footprint by leading sales engagements, driving and measuring results. He builds key relationships within industry organizations, which help to initiate interactions to gain the customer's knowledge, business strategies, priorities, organizational policy and processes.

What to expect

Expect Larry to talk about his life journey and the impact that decisions and actions have made on him.

Larry's Life Journey
Executive Experience
Leading the Jordan Brand
Prison Reform and Education
His Impact on the Community

Goals and Objectives

The purpose of the event is to celebrate Larry's life and accomplishments and bring awareness to prison reform and education.

Who should attend?

Everyone! The Jordan brand impacts and influences every community across the globe.