Nandi Rice, director of marketing for SMPS HQ, is responsible for leading the marketing strategies and messaging to promote SMPS and the SMPS Foundation. She took time out of her busy day to sit down with us virtually to answer a few questions. Nandi calls Charlotte, NC home and works remotely from there.
Where did you grow up? New York City (in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens)
What did you want to do/be when you were a kid? I wanted to be an actress or a TV show host.
What did you study at university? I double majored in Media & Communications and American Studies
What’s a Day in the Life of Nandi Rice like? The pandemic created an opportunity for me to work from home and keep my children home with me as well. I’m usually up at 7:30 a.m.; I get myself dressed, then my two kids. I make breakfast and spend time with them before logging on for work. I’m lucky because they will usually entertain themselves in their playroom while I work. We take short breaks throughout the day to have meals and snacks and spend some time cuddling. When the workday is over, we try to watch a movie as a family if we don’t have any errands to run. I usually make dinner if we don’t order out and my husband and I will tag-team bedtime for them. I spend the last few hours of my day reading, catching up on one of my shows, or just talking with my husband.
If you had to choose a few words to describe yourself, what would they be? Driven, funny, adventurous.
How would you describe your current role? As director of marketing, I’m responsible for creating an effective strategy for marketing all the Society’s programs, products, and events.
How would you define success (either on the personal or professional front—or both)? To me, success is waking up every day getting to do something that you enjoy and are passionate about. So many people don’t have the opportunity to get paid for their passions.
Have you had a mentor in your life? I haven’t had any “official” mentors in my life, but I have had a lot of people who have poured into me professionally. Many of whom did so unintentionally. I like to learn from anyone who is in a position that I aspire to be in.
What does Black History Month mean to you? To me, Black History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge all the accomplishments and contributions that African Americans have made to this country. I grew up learning about slavery and all the brutality that African Americans endured for centuries. Black History Month doesn’t erase that past, but it’s an opportunity to talk about African Americans in a positive light.
