Cleveland Oakes

I had the pleasure of working with Emmy Award winner Shefik during my time at NBCUniversal, where he proved to be both an exceptional technologist and a deeply collaborative partner. Within the Black Employee Network, Shefik was a critical ally — someone who not only showed up consistently but contributed thoughtful ideas, creative energy, and a genuine commitment to building community within the organization.

What has always stood out about Shefik is his holistic approach to technology. He understands code not simply as an engineering discipline, but as a craft that intersects with business, storytelling, and user experience. That perspective makes him uniquely effective in technical environments where innovation must also align with strategy and audience engagement.

Throughout his career, Shefik has demonstrated remarkable versatility. From his work as Technical Lead at NBC Sports to previous roles across NBCUniversal, Ruder Finn, Viacom, IBM Interactive Experience, and Condé Nast Digital, he has contributed to projects for major brands and organizations including Amgen, Citibank, Syfy, MTV World, GQ, Vanity Fair, WIRED, and many others. His ability to navigate both large enterprise systems and fast-moving media environments speaks to his technical depth and adaptability.

Beyond his engineering credentials, Shefik brings a creative sensibility shaped by a long-standing connection to the entertainment industry. Having previously led publicity campaigns for iconic artists such as Dionne Warwick, The Isley Brothers, Nona Hendryx, Dru Hill, and Luke, he understands culture, audience, and storytelling in a way that few developers do.

Simply put, Shefik is the kind of professional every organization hopes to have on their team — technically skilled, creatively minded, and deeply committed to the communities he is part of. I am proud to have worked alongside him and highly recommend him to any organization seeking a thoughtful leader and innovative technologist.