theGrio’s 100: Shante Bacon, public relations powerhouse holds court in Harlem

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Who is Shante Bacon?

Public relations and marketing “powerhouse” Shante Bacon is considered the epitome of what can be achieved if you think big. The co-founder and CEO of the 135^th Street Agency has garnered top clients from across the creative and media industries. She has shown equal genius for marketing as she stacks up clients eager to have her help them break out.

This New York City native grew up in the borough of Queens in the same neighborhood that nurtured the talents of future hip-hop legends LL Cool J, Run DMC and Salt-N-Pepa. So it is no wonder that Shante Bacon would become a legend in her field. In her younger years it was her dream to work in Russell Simmon’s Def Jam empire.

So as a marketing major at Hampton University, she became a college rep for Def Jam, making such an impression that the company held a position for her to bring her onboard when she graduated. After several promotions into leadership positions, Ms. Bacon struck out on her own, leaving her comfort zone and dream job to create her own public relations firm, the 135^th Street Agency.

Her sense of creativity and marketing acuity has helped her build a client list that includes Coca Cola, Warner Music, Island Def Jam, VH1, Walt Disney Studios and The New York Times, to name a few.

Why is Shante on theGrio’s 100?

Shante Bacon is credited as playing a major role in building some of the most popular mainstream and urban brands. Her 135^th Street  Agency is representative of overcoming the glass ceilings faced by women of color in the public relations industry. She is described as “a risk taker with guts” for having stepped into her own lane by resigning from Def Jam and creating a powerful business with grit and determination all people can emulate.

“I draw inspiration from people who live outside of their comfort zone and aren’t afraid of insanely hard work,” says Bacon.

What’s next for Shante?

Jet magazine and The Network Journal  have both named Shante Bacon one of the 40 under 40 to watch and her 135^th Street Agency has been named agency of record for the Oprah Winfrey Network, Strength of Nature, Nicki Minaj’s Myx Fusions Moscato and more. Look to her to rewrite the book on enhancing customer experiences as they enjoy and connect to their favorite on-screen, online and music brands. The 135th Street Agency is located at 424 West 33rd Street in New York City.