Chief Vibe Officer, Visionary, Pioneer & Innovator

Born in rural Orangeburg, South Carolina, along the infamous corridor of shame, Ms. Sumpter received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from University of Wisconsin, Madison. She also studied abroad at Warwick University in Coventry, England. While at university, she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority where is she is now a member of the Psi Tau Omega chapter based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Behind the curtain and away from the spotlight, Ms. Sumpter has continued self-study, honoring those that came before, raising a dynamic powerhouse of a daughter, building and cultivating other business brands all while making conscious choices of where to place her energy and power.

Ms. Sumpter has taken great inspiration from her energetic Daughter, Najah Diop. Najah, as self-proclaimed “world citizen”, is also the Founder and Chief Creative Director at Vidimus Global Entertainment Group. This is where the pair collaborates on travel, fashion, technology, and filmmaking. To honor the legacy of their ancestors who endured the middle Passage to America, the mother-daughter duo have initiated plans to help restore Goree Island in Dakar, Senegal and Bunce Island off the coast of Sierra Leone. 

This calling is no small task, requiring a specific well from which to draw. Ms. Sumpter continues to curate herself into a living body of authentic human experiences. She holds a vision for how she can be of service. Believing that we should “be free to dance on life’s blade and be prepared to take risks,” Sharon has several innovative projects on the horizon as she sets out to solidify her legacy as a modern day ‘Renaissance Woman’ who knows that ways are always being made.

Sharon Sumpter commits herself as a purveyor of passion projects around the globe that create sustainable models and serve the community with which she works. Currently, she has been instrumental in Real Estate Development, Renewable Energy, Telecommunications Infrastructure, Technology, as well as Arts and Culture. 

Sharon currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Ausar Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) and as  Chief Creative Director of The Magic Lemonade Stand – a 501c3 organization founded to empower the artist. She is responsible for guiding both organizations through a wide range of purposeful business activities with her fearless, dynamic and creative  leadership. 

For more than 35 years, many career milestones have punctuated Sumpter’s journey. For her accomplishments, Sharon has been honored with awards and other recognitions such as “Developer of the Year” by professional organization Women on Target, and an “Outstanding Service Award” by the U.S. Postmaster for facilitating housing development in underserved communities. 

Sumpter’s track record and influence have also attracted major media attention, with lifestyle and business features in national periodicals such as Ebony and Save the Date magazines. Aldore Collier, who penned the March 5-page Ebony magazine feature “A Southern California Showplace,” described her Los Angeles home as “elegant”, “impeccable” and “beautifully decorated,” showcasing Ms. Sumpter’s artistic acumen as well. 

In her feature “The Passion and Push to Reshape LA,” Veronica Hendrix of Save the Date acknowledged Sumpter’s influence on the LA scene and identified her as one-to-watch. “Sharon Sumpter is not a household name, yet. However, her unique style and signature is grafted into the soul of Los Angeles,” Hendrix stated. “And it happened despite the fact that she chose to follow a road less traveled by most women, particularly African American women.” Sumpter was honored by Bennett College for Women as a “Young Woman of Courage and Vision.” Sumpter was also listed in Forbes Africa as someone to watch due to her innovation surrounding natural resources and complimentary currencies.

There is a remarkability to Sharon as she constantly juggles competing priorities with grace and poise.  She often jokes that she seems “to be able to fit more than 24 hours into a day” Additionally, Ms. Sumpter is also a legacy coach, motivational speaker and guest lecturer.  Her passionate instinct to serve propelled her into advocacy for many causes, including research and education on women health issues, particularly cardiovascular disease; protecting women’s reproductive rights; banning clitoridectomies (female circumcision) in developing countries; eradicating homelessness and world hunger. 

Ms. Sumpter is equally passionate and dedicated to developing environmentally and socially responsible communities, coupled with the drive to create new financial models that embrace society’s ever-changing development needs. She uses her time, energy, resources and influence to give, raise awareness and host charitable events for humanitarian causes that ease suffering both in the U.S. and abroad.