Michael Blake

Michael Blake is a prominent figure in sports media, politics, and business. As the President of Next Level Sports and Entertainment, he leads the only Black-owned national TV sports network in U.S. history.12 This network reaches 21 million U.S. households and over 100 million global households, offering programming such as HBCU-Know and the What'sNXT studio show.1

Career Highlights

Business Leadership:: Blake is also the Founder and CEO of Atlas Strategy Group, Inc., which focuses on economic empowerment for minority, women, and small businesses.12 His work involves increasing access to capital, contracting opportunities, and developing programs for social justice and civic engagement in communities of color.1

Political Career::

• Served three terms as an Assembly Member in the New York State Assembly (2014-2020)12
• Vice Chair at Large of the Democratic National Committee (2017-2021)12
• Worked in the Obama-Biden administration as the White House Associate Director of Public Engagement and Deputy Associate Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs12

Achievements and Initiatives

• Passed legislation to expedite payments to small, minority, and women-owned businesses contracting with New York state1
• Led efforts to create the first statewide My Brother's Keeper education program in the country1
• Coordinated the Urban Entrepreneurship Summit series across seven cities12
• Spearheaded initiatives to increase procurement spend for Minority and Women Business Enterprises at the federal level12

Background and Education

Michael Blake is a native of The Bronx, New York, and the youngest son of Jamaican immigrants.3 He has been recognized for his public service and leadership, including being named a Five Year Term Member fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations and an Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow.1