Sharrieffa Barksdale Blair was born in Harriman, Tennessee.  The 6^th of 7 children, Sharrieffa was always viewed by her family as a strong-willed young lady who was full of determination and drive to become the best.  This winning attitude was exemplified in her teenage years when she, as the only member of the Harriman High School girls' track team, single-handedly won the Tennessee High School State track championship.  She also was named a high school All-American and identified in Who's Who across the United States.

 

Her determination to be a winner no matter what the odds, has shaped who she is today.  Sharrieffa's commitment to her craft of running was strengthened during her 5:00 am runs she made every morning during high school.  As an all-around student athlete, playing basketball, running track and cheerleading, Sharrieffa showed herself to be proficient in every endeavor she undertook.

 

She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on a track scholarship majoring in early childhood education.  Her work ethic in track that she established in high school increased as she made her way through college.  She was a stand out trackster at Tennessee where she became the first woman to run the 400 meter hurdles in under 55 seconds, clinching the American record.  She later broke the American record again in the 400 meters hurdles, just missing the world record by a mere eight-tenths of a second!  In 1984 she earned a spot representing the United States in the Olympic Games that were held in Los Angeles, California.  Following the 1984 Olympics, she was honored by the city of Harriman with keys to the city, a street named after her and the local high school track where she ran was renamed "Sharrieffa Barksdale Track".  Sharrieffa continued to represent the United States in international competitions around the world over the course of the next few years.

 

Sharrieffa has proven to be a champion on and off the track.  Her years of retail sales experience garnered her sales awards year after year.  A few years ago, she decided to seek a career that allowed her to apply her winning attitude in a more meaningful manner.  As a employment specialist for Goodwill Industry she is able to help disabled and disadvantaged people to reach their potential and reach their potential as she counsels and advises them on how to win at life. 

 

Additionally, Sharrieffa reaches out to youth in the community through her volunteer efforts as the founder, director and lead choreographer of the Kentucky Diamonds and K-D Boys.  For these youth ages 5-16, she does more than teach various moves to music, she also helps them improve their self-esteem as she teaches the youth that "they are somebody and they should let nothing stand in their way".  

 

Sharrieffa has recently re-entered the world of track and field, not as an athlete, but as a coach.  She coaches college students at Kentucky State and individually.  She was recently named as a coach for the 2004 World Junior Track and Field Championships that will be held in Italy this summer. 

 

Mrs. Sharrieffa Barksdale Blair has over the years shown that in every aspect of life, a winning attitude goes a long way.  She shares her life story and provides motivation to others to help them unlock their potential when she speaks to groups around the region.  Her speech provides powerful motivation for each of us to learn to navigate the obstacles of life in an effort to "Let Nothing Stand in Your Way".

 

Sharrieffa is the proud mother two wonderful children, Gentel and Javarus.