Long before she ever stepped onto a professional sideline, Kendall Smith was already preparing for the spotlight. As a child, she would spend countless hours at home using her family's video camera to record her own personal SportsCenter recaps, clutching the toy ESPN microphone she had desperately wanted. While her peers were simply watching sports for fun, Smith was busy envisioning her future career in front of the lens. Today, that childhood dream has become her daily reality.

The Dallas Mavericks hosted its first South Asian Night during their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, acting as a step forward for the organization as it aims to strengthen its bond with different groups of the North Texas community at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. More than just a themed game, the night was an effort to be more inclusive to the fanbase. “Because this is only our first year putting on this night, we can only look to build up from here,” Shafi said.

On any given day, Madison Schulz might be drafting a long-term brand strategy or planning last-minute travel requests from across the country. No day ever looks the same, but that is where she thrives. As Vice President of Athlete Management and Media Relations at Ecos Group, Schulz is used to operating behind the scenes, often not thought of, but crucial to everything her clients do.