Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Children, Career, Education, Awards
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard (48) Khadijah F. Sharif-Drinkard is a distinguished American attorney and media executive renowned for her role as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs at ABC News.
Celebrated for her expertise in entertainment law, she has shaped the industry through her work at ViacomCBS, Nickelodeon, and BET Networks, overseeing high-profile projects like The New Edition Story and Black Girls Rock!.
Trending Now!!:
Her advocacy for diversity, mentorship, and social justice, along with her trailblazing career, has made her a respected figure in media and law.
Profile
- Full Name: Khadijah F. Sharif-Drinkard
- Stage Name: Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard
- Born: 16 December 1971
- Age: 53 years old
- Birthplace: Harlem, New York, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Attorney, Media Executive
- Height: Unknown
- Parents: Mr. Sharif and Amidah Sharif Salahuddin
- Siblings: Asia Sharif-Clark
- Spouse: Craig Drinkard
- Children: Jalsa Drinkard, Madinah Drinkard
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $3 million
Early Life and Education
Khadijah F. Sharif-Drinkard was born on December 16, 1971, in Harlem, New York, to parents referred to as Mr. Sharif and Amidah Sharif Salahuddin.
She grew up alongside her sister, Asia Sharif-Clark, with whom she performed rap sessions at Islamic conventions during their youth.
Raised in New York City’s public school system, she attended A. Philip Randolph Campus High School, where she was selected as one of the first Milken Scholars in 1989.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Columbia University in 1993 and a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in 1997.
Her ethnicity is African American, and she identifies as Muslim.
Career
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard began her career at Viacom upon graduating from Columbia University, working in Nickelodeon’s Talent and Production Department.
After earning her law degree, she returned to Viacom as an attorney, contributing to the launch of iconic shows like Dora the Explorer, Diego, The Backyardigans, and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Her early legal work focused on talent deals and production agreements, establishing her as a skilled negotiator in the entertainment industry.
Her activism also gained attention during high school, when she won a landmark case, Sharif vs. New York State Department of Education (1989), challenging discriminatory SAT scholarship practices.
Sharif-Drinkard’s career advanced at ViacomCBS, where she served as Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for BET Networks, overseeing a bi-coastal team handling unscripted programming, music shows, and specials.
She played a pivotal role in securing deals for high-profile projects like The New Edition Story (BET’s highest-rated show), The Bobby Brown Story, and Black Girls Rock!, as well as launching BET’s SVOD service, BET+.
Her leadership earned her accolades, including the National Bar Association’s Entertainment Attorney of the Year award in 2024 and the Muslim Bar Association of New York’s Corporate Counsel of the Year award in 2018.
She also contributed to diversity initiatives, co-chairing ViacomCBS’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and launching the Get Connected mentoring program.
In 2021, Sharif-Drinkard joined ABC News as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, where she oversees talent deals, production agreements, and the Rights & Clearances and Videosource teams, playing a key role in launching ABC News Studios.
Her work continues to focus on expanding the network’s brand and audience through strategic partnerships.
A frequent speaker at industry conferences, she mentors aspiring professionals and advocates for social justice, notably through her involvement with Columbia College Women and the Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA), where she served as Immediate Past Chairwoman.
Her influence as a Muslim American and commitment to community empowerment remain central to her legacy.
Social Media
- Instagram Handle: Unknown
- Facebook Handle: Unknown
- Twitter Handle: Unknown
- LinkedIn Handle: Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard
Personal Life
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard is married to Craig Drinkard, and they reside in West Orange, New Jersey, with their two daughters, Jalsa Drinkard and Madinah Drinkard.
A proud Muslim American, she has been active in her community since childhood, performing at Islamic conventions and earning the Outstanding Muslim Youth of the Year award in 1990.
Net Worth
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
Her wealth primarily derives from her executive roles at ABC News, ViacomCBS, and Nickelodeon, as well as her legal work on major media projects.
Further income comes from speaking engagements and leadership roles in professional organizations like BESLA.
NOTICE!! NOTICE!! NOTICE!!
At TheCityCeleb, we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date biographies and entertainment news, focusing on celebrities. Our editorial team researches information from reputable sources, including interviews, official statements, and verified media.If you spot an error or have additional details, please contact us at editor@thecityceleb.com. We value your feedback and are committed to maintaining trustworthy content.
