Keith Dawkins

Keith Dawkins is a strategic, creative, award-winning Chief Executive Officer with 25+ years of experience in the media/entertainment, professional sports, and philanthropic industries. Keith is a results-oriented executive with a global business acumen evidenced across all operations; setting company strategy; leadership and management; deal negotiations; international sales; P&L oversight; and driving revenue growth. He has a strong background in marketing, content strategy and creation, and forging strategic partnerships with high-profile brands. 

Dawkins serves as President, Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios and is charged with the overall day-to-day operations of both entities. In his role, he spearheads the Globetrotters' ongoing evolution as a global branded entertainment brand with touch-points spanning 124 countries across 6 continents.

Dawkins has already ignited growth across media/entertainment, corporate social responsibility, digital/social media, and through a variety of strategic partnerships that are re-energizing the brand. Chief amongst them being a deal he orchestrated with Hearst Media Production Group that marked the Harlem Globetrotters’ return to television for the first time in 40 years, with the hit Emmy® Award-nominated NBC weekly series, “Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward.” 

Keith also has his own media company, Rock Hill Media Ventures (RHMV), which he founded in 2018. RHMV has worked with a variety of high-profile clients including the National Basketball Players Association, award-winning production companies like Believe Entertainment Group and 9Story Media Group, global distributors Toonz Media Group, celebrity chef and author Aliya LeeKong, former NFL player, Rashad Jennings, and many more.

Previously, Keith was the Chief Executive Officer of the global non-profit, The First Tee. In partnership with The First Tee’s Founding partners, LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, and the USGA, The First Tee uses the values inherent in the game of golf to positively impact the lives of young people. 

Keith has spent most of his career in the media and entertainment space. Prior to The First Tee, he worked for 17 years at Viacom where over the years he rose within the organization to Executive Vice President where his purview included overseeing TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. and NickMusic channels.

Throughout his career, Keith has received numerous leadership and industry expertise awards.

In addition, he has been (and is currently) involved in various non-profit and for-profit boards.