Passing the Torch: Sharrell Howard Steps into the Make48 Spotlight
- Make48+Team
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Known in the Make48 ecosystem for her deep expertise in education strategy and curriculum development, Sharrell Howard is stepping into a new era for Season 10 and beyond.
With the ‘retirement’ of longtime host Amy Gray from the emcee microphone, the torch has officially been passed. For the first time, Sharrell is taking the reins as the sole emcee and host of Make48.
We sat down with Sharrell to talk about overcoming backstage nerves, channeling her inner Vanna White, and how she’s balancing the spotlight with her brand-new role as Vice President of Education.
Facing the Nerves
To anyone watching from the crowd, Sharrell looks entirely at home under the bright lights. But she’s the first to admit that stepping into a role wasn't without its jump-scares.
“I have to admit, I was very nervous," Sharrell laughs. "I know you guys think I don't get nervous, but Amy's been a pro, okay? I am just like, can I fill her shoes?...That was my initial thought, and then I was like, well, I do like to talk, so this could work!”
That energy is exactly what viewers will see on screen this season. For Sharrell, the microphone is an extension of her lifelong love for watching people discover their own potential.
“That is my extrovert side, and the fun Sharrell," she says. "There is nothing more exciting than to see the light bulb come on in a student's mind. I am really having fun doing what I love doing.”
As it turns out, the signs were there from the very beginning. When asked if she was always the kid putting on performances, Sharrell throws it back to her toddler days.
“My mom likes to tell this story. When I was two or three, we loved watching Wheel of Fortune. So I would be Vanna White! Every time we watched, I would walk across the front of the TV, and I'd press the letters. I am always the one to start conversations and get things going.”
The Educational Lens
Sharrell's transition from the classroom to the host of a fast-paced innovation tournament is seamless because, at her core, she will always be an educator.
When she's on the competition floor interacting with teams, that academic background becomes her superpower.
“The teacher in me comes out whenever I'm talking to students. It's just part of who I am. I'm always going to ask questions so that people think a little deeper, and a bit more critically. Like, ‘Okay, that's good, but what can be better?’ It's actually something I use in every part of my life.”
That educational lens is especially helpful when she encounters introverted or nervous students on the floor. Instead of forcing everyone into the same box, Sharrell uses a "divide and conquer" strategy to keep students in their comfort zones.
“For that person who might be really, really shy or just very nervous, I'm like, ‘Well, how about you hold the prototype? Why don't you do the non-verbal demonstration?’ Everybody doesn't always have to talk; there are different roles for people to play.”
And when it comes to the terrifying prospect of pitching to judges? She reframes the entire experience. “Imagine you're talking to your best friend and you're trying to convince them to go somewhere with you or to try something new with you. Take that approach. Don't try to convince people to necessarily buy, but maybe to experience. That kind of helps people loosen up a little bit and dig more into their story.”
From Wichita to State Farm Arena
The tenth season kicked off in Wichita, Kansas. Even with her expert advice, the reality of solo hosting hit hard during the first shoot of the season.
“That first day of being a host by myself, we must have done, I don't know, 10 takes," she admits.
"I was so nervous! I'm so glad we have such a great film team because they were so calm and they're like, ‘Sharrell, you have done this so many times. Take a deep breath. You got this.’” After getting the first regional event under her belt, Sharrell breathed a sigh of relief.
By the time she stepped onto the massive stage at State Farm Arena for the SkillsUSA event, the nerves transformed into pure adrenaline. Facing a stadium that holds thousands, she found an unexpected trick to getting through it.
“I get nervous. I really do. I was just afraid I was gonna trip over my pants, or forget my lines…But we got up there, and I couldn't even see the audience because the lights were so bright! After I did it, though, I'm like, ‘Ah, I see why Beyoncé loves it. It was so awesome!”
A New Chapter for Make48 Education: Strategy & "Teacher vs. Teacher"
While she’s crushing it on camera, Sharrell’s "day job" has also evolved. As the newly appointed Vice President of Education, she is shifting her day-to-day management tasks over to teammates so she can focus on large-scale national strategy.
Instead of launching Make48 in one school at a time, Sharrell is now designing massive pilots for entire school districts, cities, and colleges, including an incredibly exciting upcoming pilot program in New York City. “I got a chance to present to 225 educators across New York City, and they were so excited," Sharrell says. “Make48 does something special for teachers: it reminds us of why we love teaching. It brings us back to our first love. In a world that gets so crowded by paperwork and discipline, there aren't a lot of things anymore that really reignite that love. But this does it, and it does it in strides.”
And New York isn't the only major project cooking in Sharrell's pipeline. She also let slip a brand-new initiative that is entirely her own brainchild: the Teacher vs. Teacher competition event.
“One of the things that teachers love is a chance to almost be a kid again – compete, have fun, engage," she explains. "And to throw a little competition in there? Teachers are competitive! I believe if I were a competitor, I could win Make48. Absolutely. I could beat some other teachers!”
The Ultimate Rush
With more city rollouts on the horizon, a groundbreaking teacher competition in development, and plenty of seasons left to host, Sharrell is just getting started. So, which side of the job gives her the bigger thrill?
“Oh my gosh, I mean, they are running neck and neck right now," Sharrell says. "Meeting with school districts and big groups is just as cool as being on camera and talking. But I have to say... the stage at State Farm Arena absolutely takes the cake. That was phenomenal!”
And as for next year's big stages? “I cannot wait to go back to SkillsUSA next year," she beams. "I'm gonna have more outfits. It's gonna be amazing. More sequins, more bling. It's gonna be great!”
Want to see what Sharrell is cooking up next? Follow her on LinkedIn and say hello! Drop her a line to talk all things innovation, keep up with her journey for Season 10, and see how she’s reshaping STEM education nationwide.
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