Founder Story: Bianca Peart

A temp job, a big city move, and a subway ad - find out how the co-founder of Bold and Brilliant found her rhythm balancing two careers in very different fields.

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Q: Tell us about your current work roles.

My full-time job is with the College Board. I manage a college-level diploma program that equips high school students with essential skills that will prepare them for college and future careers such as critical thinking, academic research, as well as collaborative and presentation skills. Through our programs, students develop “soft” skills in a high school environment. As a manager, I have the multifaceted role of overseeing daily operations, recruitment and onboarding of schools, and training AP teachers. I also have the privilege of doing school visits and presenting about the progress that teachers and students experience.

But my work doesn’t end with my 9 to 5. From the academic arena to a literal one, I transition to my other role as a Game Night Director for the Brooklyn Nets. If you have ever been to an NBA game, you probably can attest that witnessing this live-action event is truly one-of-a-kind. I am part of the entertainment team who ensures that every single game is a world-class experience. I assist in various tasks from fan contests to directing the National Anthem Singer and/or halftime performers. However, my primary role is the director of the in-arena host. I am responsible for making sure they have their cards and lines rehearsed for each moment they speak to the fans during timeouts and in between each quarter break. I queue them when it is time to speak live, or if we need to tweak the script a bit – because what’s a show without some last-minute changes.

Q: Did you have any life-changing experiences that led you to what you’re doing today?

There was a moment when I still was temping at the College Board that my term unexpectedly ended. Around that time, I just signed a lease and was starting to get in the groove of living in NYC. I was terrified and knew I had to find a job. I realized I didn’t have a safety blanket. I was so used to relying on my parents for the next step, but I knew I had to make the ultimate decision on this one. It was then that I had the most pivotal phone call of my life; I called my mother telling her maybe I should just go back to Pennsylvania, but she firmly said, “No, B stay in NYC. We’ll figure it out.” I didn’t expect her to respond that way because I am an only child and instead of telling me to come home, she put her faith in me. We had a meaningful conversation where I was able to really open up about my dreams, challenges, and ambitions. That single phone call affected our relationship for the better as well. That night, I saw an ad by the NJ Nets on the train saying “We’re coming to Brooklyn.” I looked it up online and saw a job opening for a Game Night entertainment position. Unbeknownst to me, the hiring manager used to DJ with my boss when I interned at Penn State. I believe that connection coupled with my determination and skills helped me get the job. Ironically, that same night the College Board called me saying a coordinator position just opened for a new diploma program.

I was thrown into the Big Apple little resources but with the combination of great timing, faith, and the courage to figure things out, I was able to not only stand on my own two feet but evolve personally and professionally. I have been fortunate to work my way up in both roles over the past 8 years at both organizations and I couldn’t be more blessed.

Q: What is your educational background?

I went to a public high school in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia in a predominately white neighborhood. I had an interesting middle and high school education, in that I felt like it was a pretty solid experience; however, over time I realized that I was placed in standard-level classes despite my other state standardized tests indicates I had the potential to take honors and/or AP classes. I also played basketball and was recruited at Division II and III levels.

I went to college at Penn State University-Main campus because something in my core told me to move forward with a solid education at a big sports school. I was a Management Information Systems major with minors in International Business and Spanish. At that time, computer science and technology-based majors were not as commercialized at my school like it is today. I remember I wanted to be a Marketing major but I didn’t make the GPA—it broke my heart and ego, so MIS (and Supply Chain Management) was one of the few options to choose from at the business school. 

I stayed in touch with my passion for sports by playing on the club basketball team and interning for Penn State’s Football and Men's and Women’s Basketball teams. After working several years after school and having conversations with media folks at Brooklyn Nets games, I developed an interest in media and journalism. I decided to push myself after staying stagnant for a few years and attend Columbia University for a Master’s degree in journalism. I feel that all the skills and knowledge I learned from college and my Masters are extremely transferable and allowed me to thrive in the work that I do today.

Q: How has your family and upbringing influenced your career choices?

My parents made sure I played sports. Since I was eight years old I tried a lot of things - basketball, tennis, competitive cheerleading, lacrosse and soccer. Because of that upbringing, I learned at an early age how to be a team and individual player as well as developing resilience and how to keep going even when you don’t feel like it.

I also grew up as one of the few black girls at the public school. It wasn’t until when I went to college, that I recognized the micro-aggressions or other people’s doubt in my capabilities because of my race and gender. I didn’t know until I know. My mother tried to explain it to me several times but I didn’t truly understand the magnitude until I learned about the upbringing of others around me. My step-dad is white so conversations of race didn’t usually come up. It was just expected of me to perform well, stay the course, and don’t get involved with trouble or gossip. Those driving elements allowed me to stay strong in my careers in education and sports – and more importantly, allowed me to work in fields where I am helping to expand diversity and expectations based on the micro-aggressions I experienced growing up. 

Q: Who has been your strongest influence in life?

My grandmother. I was lucky to have her for the first eight years of my life. I feel her presence daily, guiding me to approach each day with strength and courage. She’s a Jamaican immigrant and mother of six kids who only wanted the best for her family. She has sacrificed a lot and was a helping hand for my mother when she was raising me. I’d say she’s looking down at us with a permanent smirk, very proud and filled with joy. Although I don’t remember much, her presence and undying tough-love for me is a fond memory and feeling that I carry with me until today, and whenever I am feeling stuck or in a rut I just search inside for that feeling.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing?

There are so many experiences that I am proud of accomplishing. Earning my Master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University was a challenging and rewarding feat doing part-time on top of multiple jobs. But I am most proud of winning the opportunity to be the first-ever-and-only Courtyard NFL Global correspondent where I was able to capture the NFL fan experiences at multiple games around the world as well as the Super Bowl. That time I was feeling low regarding the journalism world that I’ve been exploring over the past few years, and when I won the contest among many submissions – it was a much-needed boost for me to understand and recognize that I belong in that world. And if I can continue to craft my journalism and on-camera hosting skills, I can earn more opportunities to empower and share other people’s stories publicly.

Q: What would you say motivates you most to do what you do?

The fact that I can contribute to the youth through education. At first, I did not care too much about working at the College Board. When I started, I had a very different position, doing mostly event planning for teacher training sessions or high-stakes meetings. But when I reflected on my personal education experience, I realized I did not have enough support and resources from the school to reach my potential— that’s when I personally felt aligned with the organization’s mission of “clearing a path for all students to own their future.” I learned to truly appreciate the big-picture impact the organization makes on students. Coincidentally, that’s also the time when the program I now oversee launched. I recognized that I can take the initiative of contributing to a positive education experience as best as I could.

At my other role, I am proud of being able to help create unique, once-in-a-lifetime memories for fans at basketball games. Being able to educate, empower, and make others happy motivates me. It also pushes me to tap into my fears of public speaking, taking the lead to wanting more for myself, which in turn makes a better product at the College Board and more engaging experience for fans at Nets games.

On being a Career Slasher

Q: How do you balance being in different fields simultaneously?

It certainly was not an easy process. It took me eight years and honestly still warrants perfecting. I have had developed a mindset that this is all one job. Although they are different industries, the core values of my jobs are transferrable. When I am on the train from my day job, I write out some lingering thoughts and to-do’s, so I can see them on paper and deal with them when I get home that evening or first thing in the morning. When I walk into the arena at Barclays Center, it’s like my mental gym. I feel an aura of greatness, knowing I'm in the same building as world-class athletes and champions. I just throw on my gym outfit and know I am cranking out my last “set”, last round of efforts and strength at the game.

The work I do aligns with my personal mission and that’s what makes it beautiful.

It re-energizes me to focus on a different style of game to support our entertainment team by putting out the best energy for the best fans in the league. The adrenaline doesn’t give me time to worry or turn off a switch as if I have to put on a different hat--- it keeps me going because the work I do aligns with my personal mission and that’s what makes it beautiful. My determination allowed me to get to this position where I seemed to have found the balance but not without challenges - initially, I had to negotiate with my bosses at my day job about scheduling but I have proved my strong work ethic and values. I appreciate that at the College Board, my colleagues love learning that I do Nets work simultaneously. It's all about communicating and having great and trusting relationships with your colleagues.

Q: What has been the greatest challenge for you when it comes to balancing multiple careers?

Having the ability to turn things off. When I get home from a game, sometimes (or too many times), I open up my laptop and start cranking out work on the train or even as I’m in bed. The challenge is not having the ability to follow my own time management rules, especially during the busy waves of high workload. It does a disservice to my health. I learned this the hard way, especially as I was working both jobs while in graduate school. I had to learn to “turn my hustle off” and be blessed enough to get on it the next day.

Q: What advice do you have for others who want to build a life around their multiple passions?

Honestly, have the heart to hustle. Take that extra effort to attend an event, or put together a particular project, or speak to that extra person. Just when you feel like you put your all out on the court, make sure you ask yourself – “Ok, am I pushing forward, did I give it my all on that last set?”. It was that extra train ride I took to notice the Brooklyn Nets sign. It’s that extra internship I took at Penn State with the football team, that extra conversation I had with my mother to just stay in NY that planted seeds for my future.

Have the heart to hustle.

Every moment counts, so make sure you have the heart to hustle—and your passions are truly your passions and not what you feel/think should be your passion. It’s not an easy feat though. I catch myself sleeping a lot when I should be up but I think approaching your life with a holistic viewpoint is important. It was the hustle and heart when I dragged my parents around my hometown and different Courtyards, DICK’s sporting goods to find a football, to help me film on a rainy day-- and put together my audition video for the Courtyard NFL Global Correspondent position which I won.

Q: What’s next for you, what are you looking forward to?

I truly love the work that I do, though I think I am selling myself short in a particular area—on-camera work. I’d love to be a host of a sports show, an in-arena host, or a host of a discovery channel show where I can educate and empower others in a public-speaking setting. I’ve had a fear of public speaking for so long but through my work, I have overcome a lot. I think the next step for me personally, is to really prioritize this goal to make an impact on others on camera.

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Learn more about and connect with Bianca at:

Website: www.biancapeart.com

Instagram: @biancapeart