Bershan Shaw

Background

Bershan Shaw was born on December 22, 1973, in Washington, Maryland. An accomplished public speaker, motivational guru, and America’s leading spiritual person. Shaw was born to a prolific Black household based in the Washington suburbs. Soon after completing high school, she moved out to New York City and enrolled at Syracuse University for a Bachelor’s in Science. After getting her master’s from New York University, Shaw pursued a year-long leadership development program at Harvard University.

Shaw started her career as an executive in her father’s construction firm in 1995. After a couple of years in the infrastructure industry, Shaw picked up a job as a writer for N.B.C.’s “Today Show.” In 2000, she became a full-time public relations executive and worked with leading figures in the industry while expanding her real estate portfolio in New York City. Shaw’s first stint at activism came in 2009 when she founded the media consultancy firm Warrior Training International. After a decade in the P.R. industry, Shaw became a T.V. personality on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Much of Shaw’s motivational career is rooted in cancer and its implications on people affected by the disease. After losing her mother to cancer at a young age and getting the same diagnosis for her father twice, Shaw now runs a support network for people who are deeply affected by the tragedy of this vicious disease. Shaw stepped into the role after being offered an afternoon on the Oprah Winfrey Network. She drew from her personal challenges and struggle with cancer to motivate people to live their best lives.