RESUME
about me
Sherlene M. Shanklin is a Multi-Skilled Content Editor and Special Projects Reporter for WHAS11 Television, an ABC, Disney and ESPN affiliate. She’s responsible for handling news coverage for the station with almost 30 years of experience. She created The411 that focuses on community affairs & entertainment news. She’s works on special programs and projects like the Mayor’s Give A Day Telethon, Muhammad Ali Special & Memorial coverage, Chuck Olmstead Memorial & Telethon and the Crusade for Children.
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Sherlene has had the opportunity to interview President Barack Obama, Ambassador Shabazz, Malcolm X’s daughter, Lonnie Ali as well as countless entertainers and national leaders in her career.
She’s a member of Mt. Olive Baptist, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Eta Omega, the Lincoln Foundation’s Project Build Planning Committee, iHeart Community Initiative Committee & the Ali Blvd Cultural Arts District Committee.
Sherlene has a B.A. in Arts and Humanities from WKU and a dual Masters of Arts in Mgmt. & HR Development from Webster University.
In 2020, Sherlene won her first official EMMY Award for breaking news coverage of the Portland Kroger Shooting in a Louisville community. In 2018, Sherlene won two first place awards by the Society of Professional Journalists for Best Sports Writing and Best Use of Social Media. She was also awarded Derek Anderson’s Acts of Kindness Award in its inaugural ceremony. She’s been nominated multiple times for an EMMY Award from Floor Directing, Tornado Coverage, to her lasted nomination for the coverage in the passing of Muhammad Ali. She also had over a million hits on her story that she published about the Louisville legend and was named by Twitter for two weeks as one of their top 10 influencers. She's also received about a dozen Associated Press Awards. In 2019 & 2020, Sherlene was nominated “Most Admired” by Today’s Magazine in the media category.
Sherlene is also the President of VIPP Communications, a public-relations, marketing, branding, audio/video production & special events firm. She's also the co-owner of VIPP Style Accessories and The VIPP Report. Where she works with Derek Anderson, Deion Branch, Dr. Ashley Anderson, Darnell “Superchef” Ferguson, DB Bourbon Candy, Miss Kentucky Pageant, KCAAH, Ed Hamilton, Ericka Nicole Malone and Viola Davis’ Foundation just to name a few of their prestigious client and project resume. In 2019, she rebooted her teaching career at Simmons College of Kentucky, a HBCU by teaching management as an adjunct professor.
Other Awards-
2019 AP Best Breaking News Coverage- Kroger shooting in Jeffersontown, KY (I heard first and coordinated teams and relayed information from my sources to the field crews)
2004 Associated Press Citation Managing Editors for speedy contribution of tip and news
March 24, 2004 “Five Down” heard the breaking news story where the producer won an Emmy
2006 AP Best Newscast-best in show, best in spot news
2007 AP Award Warehouse Fire Coverage
WORK EXPERIENCE
Owner/Publicist/PublicRelations/Branding Specialist/Producer/Event Management/Celebrity Booking/Crisis Mgmt./Red Carpet Manager/Social Media Specialist/Marketing/Diversity and Inclusion Consultant
September 1997-present/VIPP Communications/Ivy Promotions /Louisville, KY
I’m currently the personal publicist for several current/former members of the NFL, NBA and Miss Kentucky Pageant to name a few of my public clients. Produced Junior Bridgeman’s Grace at the Race gospel concert featuring some of the biggest artists in the gospel industry such as Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, Amy Grant and Building 429. Worked as a talent coordinator/stage manager for Gospel Superfest, largest gospel televised program in the U.S. Worked on the Grand Gala, a Derby event that catered to A-list minority celebrities. In 2019, I personally worked more 50 events/projects not including the Kentucky Derby where I handled a total of nine events as a coordinator and/or public relations coordinator. This year is already on pace to surpass 2019.
Multi-Media Assignment Editor/Producer/Entertainment/Events Reporter, The 411 WHAS11.com/Entertainment & Community Affairs /Airs three days a week
July 2003-present/WHAS 11 Television/ABC Affiliate/Louisville, KY
Currently, I have been in the broadcast industry for almost 29 years. I help determine what stories the station will cover on a nightly basis. Monitor scanners for breaking news and review and manage news tip for potential stories. Helped produce Muhammad Ali segments which later became two weeks of memorial coverage. I produced and blogged many of the stories. My first story, about Ali had over two million hits. I was named one of the most influential social media users in the world by Twitter. I also manage the Mayor’s Give A Day Telethon. Scheduled guests for the one-hour show. Produce and coordinates The411 entertainment and community affairs segment both on the air and WHAS11.com. Emmy Award nominee, Dual SPJ 2018 winner for Sports Writing and Entertainment Coverage. Multiple Associated Press winner. In 2019, won Associated Press Award for breaking news coverage. In 2018, team won Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for team coverage and breaking news. In 2019 & 2020 nominated “Most Admired” by Today’s Woman Magazine in the media category.
Adjunct Professor
2019-present/Simmons College of Kentucky, HBCU
I engage students on the Foundations of Management. My lecture style consists of but not limited to management styles, ethics and best practices within organizations.
Manager/Account Executive/PR Contractor/Grand Gala Media/Red Carpet Coordinator
April 1998–present/Niche Marketing, Inc./Planet Mogul/Durham, NC
Manage Planet Mogul and other public relations and social media projects. Former account executive and marketing for the Louisville Black Pages. Public relations lead for the Grand Gala, A Kentucky Derby event. Others projects I have worked on Viola Davis Shoulder Up launch Doug Williams, Mae Jemison, Junior Bridgeman, Charlie Johnson, Gayle Devers Foundation, Allan Houston Golf Tournament, USA Track and Field, and Blue-Chip Broadcasting (now RadioOne). I helped promote organizations and their special events. I also coordinated commercials for the media, press releases, sold advertisements for the Louisville Black Pages, and for the Louisville/Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau. I was contracted to help organizations market themselves to markets and how to diversify their organization.
Adjunct Professor
1999-2001/Northwood University/Toyota, Georgetown KY satellite class, Louisville satellite class
I taught Philosophy and Management in four-hour increments for the University. The reason I had to end the position was due to September 11, 2001. I was working around the clock at the television station.