Curtis has dedicated over 30 years to the cable industry, demonstrating unwavering commitment and served as a strong, steady hand through unprecedented change. He began his career at Continental Cablevision, Inc., where he quickly rose to the position of system manager. At ESPN, Curtis served as Director of Affiliate Marketing for the Midwest region. His unique and hands-on approach to affiliate relations and marketing campaigns played a crucial role in ESPN’s growth during its formative years.
At BET, Curtis served as Executive Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Affiliate Marketing from 1988 to 2001. During his tenure, he was pivotal in transforming BET from a fledgling cable network into a media powerhouse. He facilitated BET’s growth in sales revenue from 4% to 57%. Curtis also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of BET Action Pay-Per-View and BET International, and later as Executive Vice President of BET on Jazz. His leadership was instrumental in expanding BET’s reach and influence, making it Black America’s preeminent entertainment entity.
As a Black man in the cable industry, Curtis faced numerous challenges and barriers. Despite these obstacles, he persevered and excelled, driven by a determination to succeed and a commitment to excellence. Curtis often had to work harder to prove himself and earn the respect of his peers in an industry where minorities were underrepresented. His success at BET and his role in launching HBCU GO TV, a network dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, are testaments to his resilience and vision.
Curtis’s influence extends beyond his professional achievements. He was instrumental in steering the ad sales and marketing fortunes of ESPN and BET, two legendary cable brands. His efforts in building the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) encouraged greater employment of people of color in the cable industry. As an active and influential board member of NAMIC and as president of the T. Howard Foundation, Curtis worked tirelessly to foster diversity and inclusion within the industry. Curtis’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in his efforts to build NAMIC and his work with the T. Howard Foundation.
He has been a mentor and advocate for many young professionals of color, helping to pave the way for future generations in the cable industry. His dedication to community service is equally commendable. Curtis opened a privately funded indoor basketball facility called Hoop Magic in Chantilly, Virginia, providing a valuable resource for local youth.
