Sonya Lockett is Vice-President of Public Affairs for BET, Black Entertainment Television. In this position, she develops and implements all of BET’s on- and off-air political and pro-social initiatives such as the Emmy Award winning Rap It Up and Speak Now campaigns. Sonya works closely with all BET departments – including programming, news & docs, online, research, creative services, affiliate marketing, and off-channel marketing – to develop cross-network strategic initiatives that address the issues that most concern its viewers – from politics to HIV/AIDS. She also develops and manages partnerships with major national and international foundations, non-profit organizations and corporations, as well as U.S. government agencies. Sonya regularly travels both nationally and abroad to speak about the network’s efforts to reach out to and engage young people on the issues they care about. Prior to joining BET in June of 2002, Sonya was Director of Communications and Marketing for LIFEbeat, the Music Industry Fights AIDS, a non-profit organization dedicated to using the talents and resources of the music industry to reach young people about HIV/AIDS. While at LIFEbeat, Sonya was responsible for the development of strategic partnerships and all communication and marketing activities including website development, publicity and PSA production. In addition, she produced three highly successful concerts for LIFEbeat featuring artists such as Destiny’s Child, N’SYNC, Jay Z, Jessica Simpson and Alicia Keys. Sonya started her career as a public affairs specialist for the DC Department of Human Rights and Minority Business Development. After moving to New York to attend drama school, she performed in television and theater while also working as an entertainment publicist. A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Sonya is a graduate of Howard University with a degree in public relations. She is a member of the National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), Cable Television Public Affairs Association (CTPAA) Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (NABFAME), Howard University Alumni Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
