Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, Senior Vice President for Business Affairs at ABC News, views the American Dream as the freedom to 'create a masterpiece of my own life' from a blank canvas. This philosophy stems from her upbringing in Harlem, New York, amidst both the cultural vibrancy of the Harlem Renaissance and the challenges of the crack cocaine era.
Growing up as one of six children in Manhattan housing projects, Sharif-Drinkard developed a sense of vigilance and a passion for educational opportunities. She always aspired to become a lawyer, inspired by figures like Congresswoman Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisholm. Sharif-Drinkard saw law as a powerful tool for articulating community needs and driving change.
Initially pursuing human rights law, she later found a way to merge her legal aspirations with a passion for media, practicing media law while engaging in human rights delegations. Her journey is chronicled in her new book, “Power Reimagined: My Mission to Get It, Grow It, and Give It Away.”
Sharif-Drinkard's perspective on the American Dream extends beyond personal achievement to encompass the act of giving back. "The American Dream is not just about what you get, but what you give," she stated.
Her story is featured as part of the American Dream Video Project, a series hosted by the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) that highlights diverse pathways to opportunity. MCAAD, Washington D.C.'s newest cultural institution, celebrates America's 250th anniversary through interactive exhibits and personal narratives about achieving the American Dream. Information about the project and the center can be found at mcaad.org.