My Sneaker Story: Amari Griffin

Image: Amari Griffin / CNK Daily

The importance of representation in the Black and Brown community is always on our minds and in everything that we do. We are creating opportunities for others to follow their dreams, showing up and supporting, and being present so other women will see themselves in the same positions they dream of obtaining. Representation shows that we matter; we belong in the same rooms and deserve the same opportunities. It eases our minds knowing that there is someone who looks like us and will have our backs. It gives hope to the younger generation to see these opportunities and positions exist.

Amari Griffin—SneakHER Enthusiast, Creative, Engineer, Financial Planning Manager at Nike, and a 2x Harvard Graduate—is a beautiful reminder of why representation is so important, and what advocating for women of color looks like. We spoke with Amari to learn more about what brought her to sneakers, her journey to becoming an Engineer, and how she champions Black Women in STEM daily. 

Stomping Grounds: In the Beginning

Basketball season holds a significant impact on a lot of sneakHER girls' beginnings and when they first fell in love with sneakers. Amari played sports in middle and high school and started a tradition of getting a new shoe each season. She also credits her mom’s love of shoes as inspiration to starting her collection.

While in high school, she also found a love for math and science, ultimately leading her to where she is today. With an assist from her mom and knowing she didn’t want to go into college as an undecided major, Amari started her journey in Engineering. She was then introduced to the National Society of Black Engineers organization. This was the beginning for Amari to be around other like-minded students while having a community to lean on. 

From Chicago to Harvard 

Post-graduation, Amari went into the automotive industry for Engineering and started working with Ford Motor Company. However, a few years down the line, she found herself not feeling passionate about the work she was doing. She knew she needed to make a change in the direction of her career and go into a field that she had always enjoyed—retail. But with a heavy technical background, this type of engineering experience didn’t align with the experience she would need. At this point, she knew she needed to go back to school to get more experience to decide on what role she wanted to get into.

She began her full-time, two-year journey toward obtaining her MBA degree, and Harvard University was at the top of her list. Making any career move always seems to come with those doubtful questions, and they did for Amari. She questioned going to Harvard saying to herself “That’s crazy, who really goes to Harvard?”, but having her community would come through for her again and get her ready for the next step.

She was able to take a program called Management Leadership for Tomorrow which helps underrepresented minorities get prepared for business schools and connected to the top schools. This opportunity allowed her to see the journey from a different perspective and gave her the confidence to continue. 

However, with new levels comes new challenges, and sometimes our timing is delayed. With Harvard University being her top and only school she wanted to go to, not being accepted the first time was not on her bingo card. No matter how prepared we think we are, how much work we do while waiting for the blessing, or how much we pray and manifest, if it’s not our time then it's not our time.

This was a pause in Amari’s journey where she needed to really sit with herself to fully understand and prepare for the next step. Although she was hurt, this time gave her a chance to reflect on everything; why she wanted to go to Harvard, why she turned down scholarships to go to other schools, and why she wanted to try again. This delay also gave her time to slow down, grow in her spirituality, and get through this moment without any distractions from other people.

She applied to Harvard a second time and completed the mission as a double major in Business Administration and Engineering Sciences. She learned how to be more patient, live in the moment, come out of her shell, speak up for herself, experience more in her program than she had in undergrad, and work with a diverse group of people. 

Always Rooting for Black Women in STEM

Throughout this journey, Amari never let go of her passion and love for sneakers. While she was completing her graduate school journey, she found her way back to her first love and interned with NIke as an MBA graduate in Global Operations and Technology. Once completed, she was offered to come back to the Swoosh as a full-time employee. Nike was home to her as she had previously worked in the field seasonally during 2020, so coming back to the company was a no brainer. She had finally found her calling and a place that would fulfill her in many ways. A full circle moment.

This was no easy feat, but she never gave up. Now, she’s in a position to make a difference in STEM in a place that she loves. There’s not many Black and Brown faces in this industry, so when we see accomplishments like this, we always do our part in amplifying them by sharing their stories and their work to the world. Amari understands that as well and keeps this mission with her every step of the way. 

What’s next for Amari

When Amari is not busy with Nike, she taps into her personal community and in her creative zones. On the side, she’s working on some cool projects that are coming up (like a sneaker startup, but we’ll let her tell you more about that one), enjoys keeping up with National Society for Black Engineers, and with her sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is also taking on a social media management role with a Black-owned startup called Gravy that helps underrepresented groups invest their money smartly. She has operated on the technical side for so long, and she’s looking forward to continuing learning new things and being more creative. 

Amari Griffin’s journey is an inspiring story that anyone could learn from. How to be patient in seasons of delay, but know what’s meant for you will always be for you.

The lessons that turned into learning include;

1) keeping to yourself in times where distractions could hurt you,

2) not letting the doubts of others keep you from pursuing your dreams,

3) standing up for yourself and for others,

4) and being a positive light for other like-minded people who look like you.

Amari has shown that hard times never last, and to never give up.