The Honorable Nicole Avant

Civic leader and producer Nicole Avant was born on March 6, 1968 in Los Angeles, California to Jacqueline and Clarence Avant. She graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1986 and received her B.A. degree in communications from California State University, Northridge in 1990.

Following graduation, Avant began her career in the music industry, joining A&M Records in 1990 as part of the promotions division. In 1998, she was named vice president of Interior Music Publishing, where she managed artist relations and oversaw music licensing.

Avant became active in political fundraising and civic engagement in the mid-2000s. In 2006, she assisted with fundraising efforts for Harold Ford, Jr.’s U.S. Senate campaign and co-founded the Culture Cabinet, a collective of African American entertainment industry executives supporting political and advocacy initiatives. Two years later, Avant served as Southern California finance co-chair for then-Senator Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

In 2009, President Obama appointed Avant United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, making her the first African American woman to serve in that role. Her service earned her a nomination for the U.S. State Department’s Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service. In 2019, Avant worked as a producer on the film The Black Godfather, which chronicled the life and career of her father, Motown music executive Clarence Avant. In 2021, she invested in the e-commerce beauty and wellness site Thirteen Lune, which focuses on selling beauty products owned by people of color. Then, in 2023, Avant released her memoir Think You’ll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude, in which she reflects on the death of her mother, Jacqueline Avant. The book was published by HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Throughout her career, Avant has been honored for her leadership and service. In 2012, she received the Trumpet Award for Public Service, recognizing her diplomatic contributions and civic engagement.

Avant and her husband, Ted Sarandos, live in Malibu, California. She has two stepchildren, Sarah and Anthony Sarandos.

The Honorable Nicole Avant was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on September 16, 2024.