Keith Clinkscales of New York City possesses more than two decades of experience as a media executive in the areas of publishing, movies, and television, with specialties in development, content conceptualization, product management, and deal negotiation. Today, he functions as the founder of two media companies: Shadow Mediaworks (SMW), a production company, and The Shadow League, a website that provides an urban perspective on sports and culture. Both endeavors showcase Keith Clinkscales’ insights into the power that culture wields over integral aspects of society (especially American society).

Earlier, Mr. Clinkscales served as the Senior Vice President of Content Development and Enterprises for sports cable company ESPN, Inc. Prior to this position, Keith Clinkscales served as General Manager with the network.

Mr. Clinkscales received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1986, graduating magna cum laude. In 1988, he co-founded Urban Profile, a bi-monthly magazine about young urban culture, and he earned his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1990. As Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Urban Profile, Keith Clinkscales sold the magazine in 1991 to Career Communications Group, Inc., and served as President for the company's magazine division for nearly two years, overseeing Urban Profile and three recruitment periodicals.

In 1993, Keith Clinkscales joined VIBE magazine as President and CEO, selling the publication in 1996 to form Vibe/Spin Ventures LLC. The firm, with which he remained until 1999, published music and culture magazines Spin, VIBE, and Blaze. Mr. Clinkscales founded Vanguarde Media, Inc., in 1999 and functioned as the company's Chairman and CEO until 2003. Under his leadership, Vanguarde Media published the magazines Savoy, Honey, and Heart & Soul.

Keith Clinkscales received recognition as one of Diversity MBA Magazine's "Top 100 under 50 Diverse Corporate Executives" and CableWorld Magazine's "Top 50 Most Influential Minorities in Cable." Additionally, Mr. Clinkscales is listed as one of the 100 most powerful minority business leaders by Crain's, and he has appeared on Advertising Age's "Marketing 100." Ranked as one of Black Enterprise Magazine's "30 Leaders for The Future," he was featured in the 1997 Fortune article, “The New Black Power.”