Hidden Gems: Meet Christopher Sibley, Event Producer & Entertainment Publicist

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Sibley.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in South Central Los Angeles provided me with so many opportunities to make my dreams come true. The road to getting to where I am today has not been easy, but I have learned so much about life and the entertainment business that has made the journey worth it. My purpose in life is to help others achieve their goals. I believe in service, humility and being kind to one another. Having this spirit at such a young age paved the way for me to begin my path towards becoming an Event Producer and a Entertainment Publicist. One of my very first assignments, at the age of 15, was for my church, Ascension Lutheran. At the time, the Reverend, Albert Starr Jr, allowed me to coordinate musicals and outreach events through our Youth & Young Adults Ministries. For Thanksgiving, I coordinated an enormous community event where I brought together local businesses such as the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, El Camino College, Union Bank of California, Cedars-Sinai Mobile Clinic, and Magic Johnson Foundation, which offered mammograms, prostate, and STD testing.

Also, Universal College of Beauty and Palace Beauty College provided haircuts and manicures. Lorna Harrison, the Neighborhood House program director, assisted with distributing groceries and nutritious holiday meals to over 200 families in the Hyde Park and Crenshaw area. As I reminisce over the last ten years in the entertainment business, I feel grateful for the opportunities and people who open doors and took a chance on an ambitious young man from South Central Los Angeles. My first paid gig in entertainment was with Black Entertainment Television (BET Networks). A producer named Kiana Ephriam hired me as a talent escort. This role came after years of volunteering and working with Los Angeles Black Business Expo, Pan African Film & Arts Festival, Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles Mission, New City Parish Ministry, and Neighborhood House Ministry. I’ve worked extremely hard to prove that I was capable of taking on more responsibilities. Soon after my first gig as a talent escort, I began freelancing with Michael Lewellen and Tosha Whitten-Griggs, former Vice President and Senior Director of Corporate Communications for BET Networks.

Under their leadership, I had the opportunity to work on BET Awards, BET Comedy Awards, BET Hip Awards, BET’s 25th Anniversary, Celebration of Gospel, and Sunday’s Best, which was a dream come true. I was fortunate to work with some of Hollywood’s biggest names throughout my time at BET, from Steve Harvey to gospel duo Mary Mary, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Rick Ross, Stevie Wonder, Lalah Hathaway, Tamar Braxton, and many more.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
About a decade ago, I lost my mother and two older brothers, all within months of each other. That was the worst year of my life, but I had to keep going despite the difficult times. I became a full-time caregiver for my grandmother, who is 95, living with Alzheimer’s, and my 56-year-old uncle, who has down syndrome. My motivation comes from watching my mom raise my three older brothers, grandmother, and uncle while working two jobs, never missing a PTA meeting, choir rehearsal, basketball, or football practice. As I pursue my dreams and watch them come true, my only wish is that my mother could be here to see my accomplishments.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Today, I spend my time at one of the most successful African American marketing and public relations agencies, One/35 Agency. I currently serve as the account manager for Bounce TV (Trumpet Awards, Saints & Sinners, In The Cut, Family Time). The first and only broadcast and multi-platform entertainment network serving African Americans with programming seen over-the-air, DISH, Roku®, and mobile devices via the Bounce and Brown Sugar apps. I recently managed Netflix’s nationwide publicity campaign for Tyler Perry’s first released film, A Fall From Grace. Over the years, I’ve led campaigns including Fox Broadcasting Company (9-1-1, Empire, Beat Shazam, The Resident, Masked Singer, Star), NatGeo (LA 92, Genius Aretha), and NatGeo Wild (Critter Fixers Season 1). The Sibley Firm LLC, a boutique Public Relations and Event Production agency based in Los Angeles, CA, serves clients nationwide. Our previous and current clients are the honorable Judge Mablean Ephriam, Big Freeda, Jade (R&B Group), Wendell James, You-Tube sensation James Wright Chanel, and others.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: TheSibleyFirm.biz
• Instagram: @SibleyWorld
• Twitter: @SibleyWorld

Image Credits:
Courtesy of Christopher Sibley