Scholar Profile
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard
Law
Biography
Khadijah serves as Senior Vice President for Business affairs at ABC News, where she negotiates and oversees the planning of talent deals for ABC News’ on-air talent and senior editorial staff as well as a growing number of production, digital and content license agreements. Prior to her role at ABC, Khadijah was the SVP for Legal and Business Affairs at CBS Viacom, where she oversaw a bi-coastal team of attorneys and legal professionals for BET Networks.She started her career at Viacom upon graduating from Columbia University where she worked in Nickelodeon’s Talent and Production Department and later returned after earning her degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1997. She helped to launch "Dora the Explorer," "Diego," "The Backyardigans" and oversaw the legal aspects of other hits like "SpongeBob SquarePants". Khadijah previously served as Vice President, Associate General Counsel for BET where she headed up the New York Business and Legal Affairs office. Some of her career highlights include closing high profile deals for groundbreaking hits like "The New Edition Story," "The Bobby Brown Story," "Black Girls Rock! Awards Show" and leading the legal team on the launch of BET's SVOD venture BET+ in 2019. Khadijah currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) and President of Columbia College Women (Columbia University). In addition to her board work, speaking engagements and philanthropic activities, Khadijah serves as a mentor to a number of young people across various industries. She received the 2019 Medal of Honor from the New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association and the 2018 Corporate Counsel of the Year Award from the Muslim Bar Association of New York. Khadijah penned a chapter on her life for a book entitled, “Living Islam Out Loud: American Muslim Women Speak,” which was published by Beacon Press in 2005. The book honors American Muslim women under 40.
High school: A. Philip Randolph Campus High School
Degrees
| College | Year | Degree |
|---|---|---|
Columbia UniversityNew York, NY |
1993 | B.A. Political Science |
Fordham UniversityNew York, NY |
1997 | J.D. Law |
News and Highlights
Transforming Media Behind the Cameras. Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, MS ‘89, was recognized as the Entertainment Attorney of the Year by the National Bar Association, the oldest Black Bar Association in the nation. She received her award at the 99th Annual Convention for the National Bar Association held in Las Vegas, NV. Throughout her career, Khadijah has promoted diverse voices, uplifted influential leaders, and helped transform communities’ narratives through entertainment and law.
Breaking News: Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, MS ’89, is joining ABC News as Senior Vice President for Business Affairs. Khadijah brings years of executive experience from BET and Nickelodeon to her new role, where she will negotiate and oversee the planning of talent deals for ABC News’ on-air talent and senior editorial staff as well as a growing number of production, digital and content license agreements. Congratulations Khadijah!
Empathy and Social Justice: Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, MS '89, was recently interviewed by the Columbia College Alumni Association for her work pushing productive civil discourse and social action amid this period of racial tensions. As a leader in the CCAA, as well as current president of Columbia College Women, Khadijah describes how her educational journey laid an important basis for the critical thinking and empathy needed to address everyday injustice. Helping with the alumni-student Odyssey Mentoring Program, she emphasizes the responsibility of using one’s influence to make necessary change. The full interview can be found here.
A Better World for All: Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, MS '89, was promoted to Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Viacom Media Networks! Fordham Law celebrated Khadijah’s achievement and her commitment to public service in a featured article, honoring 100 years of women at Fordham Law.
All-Star Alum: Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, MS '89 is changing things up in the Entertainment Industry. Leveraging her role as VP, Associate General Counsel for Viacom Media Networks and BET Networks, Khadijah is working to reduce misogyny, promote diversity, and highlight people of color to inspire the next generation. Her accomplishments were highlighted in Columbia's College Today Alumni Newsletter.
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, MS '89 was honored to receive the Muslim Bar Association of New York's Corporate Counsel of the Year Award at the New York Hilton Hotel on May 10th. She was joined by a wonderful group of family, friends, and colleagues from Viacom. Congratulations Khadijah!
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard was featured in Columbia's College Today Alumni Newsletter. Khadijah is the VP, associate general counsel for Viacom Media Networks and BET Networks.