MEET SHAKIRA

I grew up on Shakespeare and Toni Morrison. Opera at Lincoln Center on Saturdays, Baptist church on Sundays, and late nights sneak-listening to Reasonable Doubt. I was the curious kid who could talk to anyone. People confided in me. On bus rides, in waiting rooms, and at family gatherings. I became a keeper of stories and a quiet observer of human behavior.

Early on, I realized that my gift was twofold: I could read people deeply and I made them feel safe enough to be seen. I didn’t have the language for it then, but I was practicing ethnography before I knew the word. All of these influences shaped how I see the world and how I help others see it more clearly, too.

BIO

Shakira Polite is a Cultural Anthropologist and Strategist based in New York. She works at the intersection of commercial advertising, corporate branding, and cultural research. With a deep belief that culture is the connective tissue between people, ideas, and systems.

Shakira is also an art enthusiast with a perspective shaped by her professional and personal relationship to culture. Her work spans global brands including Delta, Nike, and Walmart. And academic institutions, including CUNY, the University of Rochester, and Hofstra University. She has also partnered with cultural organizations across New York, including the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, the Long Island Children's Museum, and the African American Museum of Nassau County.

She is a founding member of ADCOLOR Entrepreneurs, a board member of the D&AD Shift Alumni Association, and an incoming board member at Green Bronx Machine. With a residency at Hofstra University's Zarb School beginning in fall 2025.

field notes

Reflections from some of the people I’ve had the honor to work with.

  • “Shakira is a natural strategist with research skills that make her more interesting and dynamic. She pushed our work to different and better spaces. I'm constantly looking for ways to bring her into other projects because she makes the work better.”

    Lindsey Neeld, Strategy Director

  • “Shakira is the strategic partner every creative needs.”

    Charles Hall, Creative Director

  • “The whole Truth team of client leaders, creatives, strategists and our clients, all look forward to being in the same room as Shakira: she opens minds, hearts and humor. If that's how you look for a better team , braver strategy, expanded outcomes, call her, trust her. We do.”

    John Roberts, Founder

  • “I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Shakira. She brought exceptional professionalism, communicated effectively and made sure all parties were proud of the final project. She went an extra step to create additional opportunities for our students to shine. You simply can’t go wrong by having her on your team.”

    Chanda Washington, Associate to The President Hofstra University

  • Shakira is… in one word… brilliant. She leans into the project and contributes so meaningfully to every part of the process.

    Kwame Taylor-Hayford, Creative Executive & Co-Founder

reach me

My expertise has been applied to commercial advertising, corporate brand marketing, and various creative projects.

I’d love to hear from you.