Nicole Avant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicole Avant
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| United States Ambassador to The Bahamas | |
| In office October 22, 2009 – November 21, 2011 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Ned Siegel |
| Succeeded by | John W. Dinkelman (chargé d'affaires) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 6, 1968 Los Angeles County, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Ted Sarandos
(m. 2009) |
| Relatives | Clarence Avant (father) |
| Education | California State University, Northridge (BA) |
Nicole A. Avant (born March 6, 1968) is an American producer and political activist. She worked as the United States Ambassador to the Bahamas from 2009 to 2011.
Contents
About Nicole Avant
Early Life and Career
Nicole Avant is the daughter of Clarence Avant and Jacqueline Avant. Her father, Clarence, was a very important person in the music industry. He was even called "The Black Godfather" because of his influence. Nicole was born on her mother's 28th birthday. When she was a child, famous people like Jimmy Carter (a former President) and other politicians often visited her family's home in Hollywood.
Nicole Avant finished high school in 1986 at Beverly Hills High School. She then went to California State University, Northridge, graduating in 1990 with a degree in communications. She started her career in the music business, working for A&M Records in Los Angeles. In 1988, she became a vice president at her father's music company, Interior Music Publishing.
Later, in 2006, Nicole helped start a group called the Culture Cabinet. She also helped raise money for political campaigns. She was a key person in Southern California for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.
Serving as US Ambassador
President Barack Obama chose Nicole Avant to be the United States Ambassador to the Bahamas on June 16, 2009. She officially started her role on October 22, 2009, and served until November 21, 2011. At 41 years old, she was the first black woman and the youngest person to ever be the US Ambassador to the Bahamas. During her time there, she was recognized for her excellent work as a diplomat.
While in the Bahamas, Ambassador Avant worked with groups that help people with disabilities. She invited Eunice Shriver and Francesca Shriver to visit. They helped bring attention to Special Olympics-Bahamas, which supports athletes with intellectual disabilities. She also invited basketball legend Magic Johnson to speak to the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce. He shared advice on how the Bahamas could improve trade with the United States.
A report from the State Department praised Ambassador Avant and the embassy. It noted that the law enforcement teams at the embassy worked well together under her leadership. They helped keep the U.S. safe. The report also mentioned that the embassy had improved greatly under her and her new deputy.
The report also noted that Ambassador Avant sometimes worked from her home in the Bahamas instead of the embassy. She also traveled to the United States for work and personal reasons. However, the report also praised her for improving the embassy's reputation among Bahamians. This helped create a strong relationship between the two countries. Nicole Avant said that she had made many improvements to the embassy during her time there.
She left her role in November 2011. After that, she helped with Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign, including raising money.
After Politics
In 2019, Nicole Avant produced a documentary film called The Black Godfather. This movie was about her father, Clarence Avant. Her husband, Ted Sarandos, is a leader at Netflix, which showed the film.
In January 2021, Nicole Avant became an early investor in Thirteen Lune. This is an online store that sells makeup, skincare, haircare, and wellness products. These products are made by people of color and their supporters.
On April 28, 2023, a special place called The Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center opened. It was named in memory of her mother, who was known for her charity work. This center helps children who are at risk. On October 17, 2023, Nicole Avant released her own book, a memoir titled “Think You’ll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief With Grit, Grace, and Gratitude.”
Awards and Recognition
- 2012: She received the International Award at the 20th Annual Trumpet Awards.
Personal Life
Nicole Avant is married to Ted Sarandos, who is a co-chief executive officer of Netflix. In 2010, they bought a home in Hollywood. They sold it in 2017. Also in 2010, the couple bought a beachfront house in Malibu.
