The Black Fives Foundation

Ellen Jenkins Harris Joins Black Fives Advisory Board

Posted on December 10, 2009

Ellen Jenkins Harris has joined Black Fives, Inc. as the newest member of its Advisory Board.

Ellen J. Harris.

She is an entrepreneur, business owner, strategic consultant, motivational speaker, and author.

She is also the daughter of former New York Rens professional basketball star Clarence “Fats” Jenkins.

Ms. Jenkins Harris is the founder and C.E.O. of Business Accelerated, a strategic consultancy which specializes in helping micro-businesses align their information technology with their business planning.

In addition, Ms. Jenkins Harris serves on the Board of Advisors of the Lubin School of Business at Pace University, and as a mentor in the Entrepreneur Program of New York University’s Stern School of Business.

The 1933 New York Rens team that her father played on, was inducted as a whole into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Fats Jenkins himself is considered to be perhaps the top candidate among pre-N.B.A. players for consideration for individual enshrinement.

Ms. Jenkins Harris is a graduate of Pace University with degrees in computer science and telecommunications, as well as a graduate of the Pace Lubin School of Business Executive MBA Program.

“She’s got a very inspiring story, having been a high school dropout, who, after many long years working in corporate America, starting with entry level positions, began college on her 40th birthday, and now has multiple degrees,” said Claude Johnson, founder and president of Black Fives, Inc.

“She’s also just a wonderful person with a strong sense of business and community, who knows how to get things done, and who inspires the best in people — not unlike her father, I imagine.”

Fats Jenkins owned several successful businesses during and after his professional basketball career, including a dry cleaning shop, a liquor store, and a small hotel.

“Ellen is already making invaluable contributions toward our efforts to reach out and collaborate with descendants of the Black Fives Era, not only with her obvious connection to the New York Rens, but also with her love of history, culture, and connecting people with one another.”