Dr. Maurice stinnett - Biography

Dr. Maurice A. Stinnett is an experienced leader and expert in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and equity across corporate, nonprofit, and education sectors. He served as the inaugural Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Warner Music Group, the third-largest major music group in the world operating in 70 countries around the globe. 

Warner Music Group is home to Warner Chappell Music, the third-largest music publisher, and some of the music industry’s most successful labels, such as Atlantic Records and Warner Records. In his role at WMG, he spearheaded the company’s equity initiatives and implements tailored strategies and programs designed to cultivate a diverse and inclusive company culture while driving business growth and innovation. 

Dr. Stinnett previously made history as inaugural Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for BSE Global, owner of Barclays Center and the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, where he provided leadership and support across BSE’s brands. Dr. Stinnett was the first Black man to be appointed Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for an NBA team. Upon transitioning out of this role, he was honored with the title of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement (DICE) Ambassador to the Brooklyn Nets.

His earlier career experience includes roles in higher education and nonprofit leadership. He held positions as Vice President of Engagement and Chief Diversity Officer at Cleveland State University and as Dean of Students at Central State University. In the nonprofit sector, he acted as Senior Director of Community Engagement and Education at CentroNia, a multicultural, bilingual education nonprofit located in Washington, DC, and Chairman for the World Leadership Program, a White House initiative under the Obama administration that sought to spark learning and dialogue between graduate students and universities in the Middle East and the United States.

Dr. Stinnett is an energetic presenter who is a fierce advocate for equity and inclusion. He has been recognized for his work by various organizations, including receiving the Jackie Robinson Trailblazer Award from Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition and being named to the ‘The Responsible 100’ corporate leaders list by City & State New York. He is proud to serve as a member of the Advisory Board of the 100-million-dollar Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund, and as a Social Justice Ambassador for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s National Racial Equity Initiative.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Central State University, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Master of Education and Doctor of Education and Organizational Leadership from Columbia University.