By Gary Symons
Editor in Chief
The Black Lives Matter Licensing movement continues to grow, now launching in the US, and adding more key executives to its team.
While Black Lives Matter got its start in the United States, there are thousands of members in other countries, like Canada and the UK. The licensing movement was launched first in the United Kingdom under the leadership of Saphia Maxamed, who has since attracted several top licensing executives.
That process is continuing as Shontae Savage (pictured) has agreed to lead the licensing initiative in the United States, and Kim Saxelby of Universal Brand Development Group has also joined the program. The Black Lives Matter Licensing Movement is growing rapidly largely because many brands realize the need for societal change.
Saxelby, a senior design manager at Universal Brand Development Group, NBCUniversal International, says she has joined the movement to help build a strong framework for the licensing program that is underway. Saxelby is an 18-year veteran in the licensing industry.
“I am excited and honored to be joining such a talented and passionate team,” says Saxelby. “I can’t wait to get started and can hopefully bring my experience to make positive change not only to our industry but to this social injustice issue which is very important to me.”
Savage is based in New York and is the founder of the black-owned consulting company Savvy Synergies, which focuses on filling the void for licensed products for African American intellectual properties.
Savage leverages her expertise in licensing, negotiation and strategic partnerships to help Black IPs expand in new product categories and new markets and establish authentic connections between owners and the Black consumers they serve through officially licensed merchandise.
Savage has nearly 20 years of experience in the brand licensing industry. She typically works with sports and entertainment brands like the NFL, CBS, CBS Films, Showtime and DC Comics.
“Being an African American, I am personally aware of the unmet needs of the African-American consumer and fanbase of Black IPs,” says Savage. “I have focused my efforts to create cultural-focused licensing programs around Black IP and fulfilling the pinned-up consumer demands of historically over-looked Black IPs and its fan base in licensing.
“This movement is something I am passionate about and it is the experience I have lived with. I am keen to help this real cause for change. I hope to lend my real-life experience and my extensive experience in licensing to represent this niche market from a culture-centric approach.”
“We are thrilled with the support we are getting from the licensing industry.”— Christina Jordean, Black Lives Matter U.K.
Current members say they are happy to see the Black Lives Matter Licensing movement continues to grows with so much support coming to the organization from licensing professionals.
“We are thrilled with the support we are getting from the licensing industry,” says Christina Jordean, Black Lives Matter U.K. “We are very happy that Kim and Shontae have joined us. We have been candid that we need to work with our allies. Kim is passionate about making the change, Black Lives Matter is something that is very important to her. Shontae is a key member of the team for us, she is a great addition who understands Black culture from an African American perspective.
“With Shontae leading us from New York, we can now take this much needed support of this global movement in the heart of the African American communities and help tackle social injustices for African American communities.”
Maxamed, who was among the members creating the licensing arm, says she is stunned by the growth of the movement over the past year.
“I have been amazed throughout this journey,” Maxamed says. “To me, change has already happened, and it is up to us on what we do moving forward. What is clear, is that the industry is ready to act.
“We have been working solidly on framework for the licensing program for a year and having key talents from major licensors being at the forefront of the work we are doing is a testament to what we as an industry can do together when the subject matter touches all of us,” Maxamed explains. “If you really think about it, this industry is uniquely positioned to send the message in every household on a global scale though consumer products. That puts us in a place of responsibility and the industry understands that.
Until this week, however, the BLM Licensing team was lacking leadership in North America. “This is why this key addition to the team and the work we are doing is significant,” Maxamed said. “I am pleased that together we can build and really work with black communities on initiatives that would really make changes in people’s lives. Both Kim and Shontae bring a wealth of licensing experience and personal passion for making positive change.”