NEW HAVEN, Conn. –Yale University Athletics celebrates Black History month in February and will feature some of pioneers, both past and present, that have helped shaped the Bulldog experience. In our final feature, we look forward at Zenab Keita, class of 2014.
 
The Raleigh, N.C., native and recent Yale grad has from pulling down boards on the hardwood to working in the boardroom in the male-dominated world of professional sports.
 
Keita was a four-year member of the women's basketball team at Yale, appearing in 88 career games for the Bulldogs. While she had success on the court she has found even more off of; but not that far away from it.
 
The former Eli now works as a partnership development manager for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. She is responsible for activating, retaining and growing a portfolio of partnership agreements between sponsors and the Warriors.
 
Keita's work in the NBA permits her to work with a sport that opened up many doors. While attending Yale, she played varsity basketball and studied Anthropology. Her major gave her an opportunity to examine her unique mix of cultures (West African roots, European birthplace and language and American South upbringing) while leading her to new heights.
 
Though she had an opportunity to work for National Geographic, Keita decided to attend business school at Wake Forest where she obtained a master's degree in management.
 
There she realized a passion for strategic thinking, working with others and learning new fields – three areas that lend themselves well to sports partnerships.
 
She continues to use these passions to capitalize on the Warriors' brand strength to connect with fans, reach new consumers and continue global brand recognition.
 
Keita has stated that her next goal is to be more involved on the global side of basketball, specifically on the African continent.