Meet the Team
Amaya Howard, Founder
Amaya Howard is the CEO and founder of Sports Shawties. She is a world traveler, sports enthusiast, and lover of all things athletics. Her passion for sports began at an early age when she played basketball and ran track in Dallas, Texas. As an adult, she remains active by competing in flag football. With experience as a youth coach and as a proud mother of an athlete, she is dedicated to fostering a love of sports in others. Amaya works as a philanthropy consultant and founded Samaritan Grants Consulting, where she strengthens nonprofits through various grant services. Additionally, she has created a vibrant community for women through Sports Shawties, where they can travel together and experience the excitement of sports.
Tara Richmond, Operations Lead
Tara’s passion for athletics took root at the age of 8, racing friends and family in her neighborhood of Long Beach, CA. This early love for competition evolved into a successful track and field career, culminating in her achievements as a D1 collegiate athlete and competitor for Team USA. While her time on the track ended after college, her commitment to advancing women’s sports has remained steadfast. Today, Tara works at the intersection of technology, culture, and innovation, championing initiatives that elevate the narrative around women in athletics. At Sports Shawties, she leads operations, overseeing GTM planning & strategy, regional meetups, and various administrative functions to ensure seamless execution of the organization’s mission.
Tyra Gray, Sports Industry Expert
Growing up playing basketball in South Central, Los Angeles, Tyra Gray observed the discrepancies in resources for athletes from low-income communities, and from there, a passion grew to work with athletes who need assistance in making their professional dreams come true. Throughout her career, Tyra has worn many hats working in game day operations and entertainment, marketing, fan engagement, and program development. From the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to the Los Angeles Lakers, Tyra became a superstar in her field leading her to a wonderful career in the sports agency world. Currently, Tyra is a Basketball Executive Assistant at Excel Sports Management working in client servicing and basketball marketing. The young athlete who once had dreams of managing professional athletes is now living through her passions and continues to give back to future young professionals looking to accomplish similar goals.
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