Former SUNY New Paltz athlete Goldie Harrison ’16 (Business Marketing; Digital Media Production) leads with determination, both on and off the court

Being a young black woman in this industry, in any industry, you have to be a leader. "You have to be competitive and gritty sometimes, especially as an entrepreneur," said Goldie Harrison ’16 (Business Marketing; Digital Media Production). "Without my competitive nature, without my leadership, I really wouldn't be where I am today."

That competitive nature led Harrison on a journey from college basketball star to burgeoning New York media mogul. She is used to being doubted on the court and off – she stands only 5-feet, 4-inches tall, after all – but if her successes in sport and career are any indication, she has all the tenacity she needs.

The clearest example of Harrison’s leadership at SUNY New Paltz comes from her four-year career on the women’s basketball team. She embraced the role of team captain, setting high standards for herself and her teammates.

Harrison’s legacy as a two-time SUNY Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) champion, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, SUNYAC Tournament MVP and two-time team MVP made New Paltz athletic history.

Harrison thrived in the classroom, too, experimenting with various disciplines and developing skills she could apply to whatever challenge came her way.

“New Paltz gave me the opportunity to dabble in every subject I was curious about, and it promoted a sense of fearlessness related to trying new things,” said Harrison. “Having a liberal arts education opened so many doors for me in almost any field and company. It allowed me to develop a unique and diverse skillset.”

She says one of the biggest lessons she learned at New Paltz was that creating a sense of belonging is the key to long-term success.

That has been her guiding principle as she has constructed her digital media company, 24:OURS, which specializes in video production, live event production, talent management and public relations. 24:OURS is “a creative agency + collective based in NYC that bridges the gap between music, media and community,” according to its website.

"This is a safe space for creativity,” said Harrison. “So much of my success goes back to ideas that I discovered on the court and during my time at New Paltz. 24:OURS gives a community a voice to share in creative and like-minded experiences.”

As she grows her business, Harrison, like many early-career entrepreneurs, is focused on balancing a host of other responsibilities.

She is a member of the creative marketing team for Roc Nation's indie distribution company, EQ Distro. Roc Nation is a world-renowned entertainment agency founded by Jay-Z, whose client list  includes legendary performers such as Rihanna and Shakira. She is also progressing toward earning a Master of Science in Arts, Entertainment and Media Management degree at The New School.

So, where does Harrison get the perseverance to keep striving to reach her goals? She contemplates her early years of playing basketball, when she starred on an all-boys travel team in her hometown of Elmont, New York.

“That alone showed me how to be competitive and set yourself apart, because they didn't care that I was a girl,” Harrison said. “They didn't take it easy on me. My coach didn't take it easy on me. No one did. I dug deep and found my voice. It's important to have your voice heard, on the court and in your career.”