Las Vegas (KSNV) — On any given Sunday, most eyes are on the Las Vegas Raiders’ players. But inside the organization’s front office, the Raiders have built a leadership team that has drawn attention across the NFL.

The team made history in 2022 when Sandra Douglass Morgan became the first Black female president in the NFL. “It’s just a great time to be a Raider,” Morgan said.

The Raiders also have three senior vice presidents who are Black. Morgan said they are in their roles “because of the incredible work that they do.”

Qiava Martinez serves as senior vice president and chief sales officer, overseeing corporate partnerships, ticketing and suites, Morgan said. Martinez said her childhood dream was different: “No this was not. I wanted to be Oprah!” She added, “I wanted to be Oprah. I wanted to tell people you get a car, you get a car but I fell into this industry.” Her career is a full-circle moment, as her father played in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers.

Piper Overstreet-White, the Raiders’ senior vice president of government and community relations, oversees the team’s community outreach and legislative efforts. She said her upbringing shaped her path. “I was raised by advocates and activists. My father has written several books, he established the Juneteenth holiday in Alaska,” Overstreet-White said. “So, I was knocking on doors, organizing and advocating since I can remember.. so that’s always been in me and pouring back into the community that has poured into me is my north star.”

Senior executive Michael Crome spoke about learning what was possible as he advanced in his career. “Growing up, I didn’t even know the role of a Chief Financial Officer, let alone the Chief Financial Officer for an NFL team existed,” Crome said. He credited guidance along the way, saying, “But there were a lot of mentors and people that came along the way that showed me hey you can do this.”

In a conversation about mentorship, Martinez said, “Oh it was my mother. That’s an easy answer for me.” Overstreet-White pointed to family members who influenced her: “So, my father louie overstreet and then my maternal grandmother ann gregory. she was dubbed the queen of negro golf by the black press. she desegrated the u.s. golf association.” Morgan said her parents “really instilled a strong foundation for me and my sister.”

Morgan also addressed the scrutiny leaders can face. “So we have to focus on how far we’ve come and celebrate that. i think that is very important,” she said. “But i also want to be very honest, knowing every single person on this stage including yourself or in this room including yourself has likely been questioned as to why we have the roles we have.” Morgan added, “But the narrative that oh they are there because of a certain characteristic is actually the opposite.”

Martinez said advice from her mother continues to guide her: “There’s one thing my mom always says and it’s ringing in my ear right now… don’t let anyone frustrate you purpose.” She also praised Morgan’s leadership: “And to be able to sit under Sandra and learn from her, we all feel that way: it’s amazing. we’re blessed.” Crome echoed that sentiment, saying, “I agree. we’re successful in our positions becasue of our fearless leader and the direction that you set.”

Morgan said she is proud to lead alongside them. “It does make me proud as president of the Raiders to be able to uh lead this team with them,” she said. She also credited Raiders owner Mark Davis for putting her in the role. “And honestly all of this would not be possible if it wasn’t for Mark’s decision to even have me in this role in the first place,” Morgan said.

As diversity, equity and inclusion efforts face backlash in some places, the Raiders appear to be leaning in. Last year, the organization ranked in the 90th percentile for representation among NFL teams, highlighting what the team described as a strong commitment to DEI.