Sonya Lockett is a seasoned media executive and nationally recognized strategist at the intersection of entertainment, advocacy and social impact.  As head of The Next Slate, Sonya works with organizations and individuals to develop initiatives that drive action and increase their positive impact in the world. 

Most recently she served as Chief Impact officer at 1 Community where she developed issue-based campaigns to leverage the power of their content (including Just Mercy, Respect) through strategic partnerships with organizations to mobilize and advance change and culture shifts on vital issues.  

As Vice-President of Social Responsibility for BET/Viacom, Sonya maximized the network’s platforms to engage consumers and corporate partners in social change initiatives.  Under her leadership, BET earned the TV Cares “Ribbon of Hope Award”, an NAACP Image Award and the 2007 Emmy Award for Best National Public Service Campaign.  

Sonya is a founding board member of Higher Heights for America, and The Impact Guild where she serves as Co-Chair.  Sonya also serves on the Board of the Social Impact Fund.  She is a graduate of the Harvard’s Executive Education Program in Corporate Social Responsibility, the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute and the NAMIC Executive Leadership Development Program. She was named one of Most Influential Minorities in Cable and has been honored for her community work by New York Cares, Black AIDS Institute and Planned Parenthood Federation of America among others.

A native of Baton Rouge, LA., Sonya is a proud graduate of Howard University.