Shabaaka Smalls
Manager of Digital Strategy
Shabaaka Smalls
Manager of Digital Strategy
Shabaaka Smalls has built a diverse and comprehensive career in digital design, education, and marketing. His professional journey began at ModernTribe in Atlanta in 2012, where he honed his skills as a graphic designer. His drive to improve his Portuguese led him to Surubim and Recife in Pernambuco, Brazil, where he took on the role of an English teacher at CCAA and 2BE English, respectively.
His commitment to advocacy was evident when he worked as a designer for the digital magazine “Revista Geração Z” with Instituto de Protagonismo Juvenil Surubim, a role where he promoted youth leadership. Shabaaka also offered his design expertise to a municipal political candidate, coordinating their design services to help shape a compelling political narrative.
Having a love for innovation, Shabaaka founded a blog in 2015, where he was responsible for all aspects of the business, including website design, creative direction, publication, product sales, and ad placements. His robust portfolio of design and marketing roles also includes positions at The Rooted Initiative and Brazilian Beauty Box. As a testament to his versatility, Shabaaka has contributed as a freelance designer for the publication he loved growing up: Condé Nast Traveller.
Shabaaka’s experience in the corporate world includes a dynamic role at Microsoft, where, under the consumer and small business marketing organization, he worked in sales, ERG leadership, and customer success, showing his ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments.
Shabaaka is a proud Posse Scholar and graduated with a full-tuition scholarship from The College of Wooster, earning a BA in Communication with a specialization in digital publication at a time when the field was just beginning to take off. His activism on campus earned him the prestigious John Plummer Award. His passion for learning took him to Seoul, South Korea, where he completed his Senior Independent Study, supported by the Copeland Grant. He continued to expand his knowledge at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. This thirst for learning also led him to gain certifications in Modern Marketing from the Microsoft-Kellogg partnership and the Psychology of E-Commerce from the Interaction Design Foundation.
Away from his professional commitments, Shabaaka has a love for traveling and volunteering. He also has a creative streak, with interests in 3D design, horseback riding, and video games.
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