Meet Kelsey Nicole Nelson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelsey Nicole Nelson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kelsey Nicole, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

“Use your platform for a purpose, fueled by your passions.” I am thankful to know my purpose while I am blessed with time here on Earth. It takes some people a lifetime to search for true meaningful purpose. This is what fuels me, what drives me and helps guide me as a multifaceted dynamic woman who can’t be placed in a box. This is also the foundation for the KNN Foundation that I will be launching next year, with a mission to dedicated to providing educational freedom, financial empowerment, and investing in communities through platform, purpose and passion.

As a God-fearing woman I believe you find purpose when your faith matches your life goals that can be measured through impact. Purpose to me comes from finding the unique way your skills and talents can create an impact and make a difference.

My purpose comes from wanting to build and leave a legacy. That legacy begins with giving back to young people.

Purpose has led me to launching the inaugural “Introduction to Sports Writing and Reporting” course at George Washington University in the School of Media and Public Affairs. I built the curriculum from scratch, participated in the Course Design Institute, and had chance to speak with students whom had wanted the course. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 a.m. the 19 bright, shining young adult faces reminds me, one part of my purpose is to help guide and train the next generation of journalists. My passion also comes from serving as the Vice President of the Washington Association of Black Journalists and Membership Chair. My passion for helping young people thrive in supportive relationships also led me to my current role as Director of Communications at MENTOR, a nonprofit focused on improving the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships.

My purpose also entails creating a brighter future for today’s young people. It’s why I sit on the DMV Regional Advisory Council of the Tickets for Kids nonprofit helping to provide children from marginalized backgrounds free access to sports events and the arts. My family used to get free tickets to games and that’s how my career in sports started. The generosity of others, that I am now able to help give to other young people, my life 360 and a consistent and constant reminder “we stand on the shoulders of giants, to whom much is given, much is required.”

My purpose is as a storyteller and helping to bring people together through the power of sports. The adrenaline I get every time I’m in front of a mic and have the ability to tell meaningful stories that connect and unite people I know I’m living out my purpose of bringing us all together for a common purpose and greater good.

Finding purpose is a journey that will take you to a greater destination and once that purpose is found it will guide your life choices.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Kelsey Nicole Nelson or as I am more affectionately known as “KNN.” I am DMV born and bred and I have been blessed to grow my career and brand in my hometown. I have coined the phrase “The DMV breeds ballers,” as I have had the incredible opportunity to cover some of the most talented athletes that have come from around in and around the area.

Most people know and recognize me for my work as a sports journalist and broadcaster based out of our nation’s capital of Washington, D.C. where I cover sports on a local, regional and national level. I cover D.C.’s professional and collegiate sports teams.

I have covered everything from Super Bowl, the the NBA and WNBA Finals and coming up I’ll have the unique opportunity to cover the FIFA Club World Cup next year in Washington, D.C.

I am a television and radio personality and journalist that has worked for a variety of companies in including NBC, Peacock, FOX Sports, the Big East Digital Network, Bally Sports, and the Draft Network to name a few.

My work has been featured in Bleacher Report, ESPN, USA Today, Yahoo, Blavity, The Shadow League, Heavy, and many more sports and news sites across the country.

I have also appeared on CTV News in Canada, Alhurra TV in Dubai, FOX 5 DC, SNY-TV, Toyota Sports Talk on 7 News DC, Inclusion Revolution Radio, FNTSY Sports Network, SportsGrid TV, BetQL and various Audacy radio stations in major cities across the United States.

I have also had the wonderful opportunity to partner with brands like Diaego, Nike, Special Olympics, Total 360 Management and many more.

I have also launched my own podcast network “Listen In With KNN” partnered with FOX Sports Radio WHAP 96.9 FM and 1340 AM, where I run two internship programs: HBCU Connection and Multimedia Journalism & Communications. Through all my various companies, I lead and manage a total of four internship programs for college students across the country giving opportunity to almost 20 students each semester.

Today, people can watch me hosting “Quick Hits” for the Atlantic 10 Conference Network, as talent for MLBbro.com, as a reporter and host on FOX Sports Radio, and as an analyst on various networks discussing the NBA , WNBA, NFL and MLB seasons.

I have worked on the team level as a team reporter for the Washington Valor, host three shows including one on NBC Sports Washington for the then Washington Football Team (now Washington Commanders). I have also worked as a sideline reporter covering Georgetown University basketball and football. I also previously worked with NASCAR.

I have also appeared on the covers of magazine locally, nationally and internationally and have interviewed some of the top celebrities around the globe.

And this season sports fans will me in a new role as a color analyst for local collegiate women’s basketball.

In addition to practicing media as a professional I also team it on a professional level. Beyond being a lecturer at George Washington University, I also serve on the Faulty Senate Committee for Athletics & Recreation as well as Faculty Senate standing committee on University and Urban Affairs at the university. Prior to GW, I was an instructor at Doral College where I co-taught “Intro to Radio and Podcasting (MMC 2122 Radio)” and helping to manage the students work on Slam! Radio on Sirius XM Ch. 145. I also have served as a capstone advisor in Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies, for the Sports Industry Management program.

Outside of television and radio, I am also a professional speaker, hosting many keynote sessions, galas, dinners and events for profit and nonprofit businesses throughout the Greater Washington and Baltimore areas. Coming up, I will be an upcoming speaker for the Media Girls on Tour in Atlanta in mid November.

In conjunction to my work as a journalist, I also work as a communications strategist and public relations professional. My multimedia digital consulting company is KryptiaNN and I currently work as the Director of Communications for MENTOR after most recently serving as the Communications Director for the National Foster Youth Institute.

Outside of my media and communications work I am the Founder and President of “Books Breaking Borders: Books to End Educational Bankruptcy,” a community action project helping to level the playing field for all children and families, an organization I began as an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland where I served as a math tutor in the America Reads America Counts program.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The first and best piece of advice for anyone is don’t just do a lot of things to do them but do a lot of things well. Focus on the quality of your work as opposed to the quantity. I don’t want people to be impressed just because I do a lot, I want them to see how I am able to balance a lot of work and leadership responsibilities in a successful way where I can meaningfully contribute to it all. I do a lot but I do a lot well, and because of that opportunities have continued to our in. Focus on maximizing any of your opportunities. Always go beyond the role title and job description to be successful.

Another piece of advice would be to love the work you do. We need to normalize finding jobs and careers that truly make us happy. Life is too short to be anything but that. When folks see me I am genuinely smiling because God has blessed me to be able to support and do what I love. And know this could include building your own table so you don ‘t have to wait for a seat at someone else’s. Building “Listen In With KNN” to what it is today was a true labor of love but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Not only have I built a table for me, but I’ve brought the supplies, tools and chairs for others to join me, and today I am blessed to be able to hire.

Next piece of advice is simple – do the work, and don’t short cut the research. Always have a business mindset. You can always better perfect your practice. Find conferences, organizations, mentors, who will give you honest feedback about your work. Each day get 1% better (as we say in sports) so you can continue to build out the best of you.

My computer background is a quote from Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. It reads, “Nobody cares. Work harder.” A quality you have to have and build is your work ethic. My mentality has always ben that no one will out work me. I have hustled and put the grind in for all the opportunities that have come forth and I have not let up. I am not comfortable nor content. Never settle, always be looking full steam ahead as nothing is promised and you have to be building towards the next opportunity. Complacency can be dangerous when you are trying to grown. It can stunt your growth.

Last thing I would share is don’t compare your journey to others. Everyone has a unique path to get to their goal/s and it looks different for everyone. Trust the progress in the process. Build your brand in your own way and align yourself with relationships that will continually move you forward.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am looking for folks to collaborate with. I am all about the power of purposeful and powerful partnerships to power progress. I am a proponent of two-way mutually beneficial relationships. Partnership can look like booking me to come serve as a keynote speaker at your next event, hiring me to freelance on your next sports event, inviting me as a guest lecturer to your class, inquiring to me about serving on the soon launching KNN Foundation board.

I am always eager to partner to host your next event, lead conference sessions, serve as a panelist or a moderator or even greater greater as influencer to help share your event story.

Essentially, I am looking for people who want to win, grow and chase success.

Specifically for “Listen In With KNN” podcast, I am actively seeking sponsors and advertisers to help support the show and two internship programs. I want partners that believe in journalism and long-form story telling with good interviewing at the heart of the story. The show brings on a variety of guests with important messages and highlights the community through the weekly “Do Good” award.

For “Books Breaking Borders: Books to End Educational Bankruptcy,” I am always looking for book donations and funds to help us cover transportation costs, intern stipends, set up spelling bees and oratory contests, family literacy nights and to help promote organizational offerings to the larger community.

I am also looking for collegiate and university partners who want to partner their journalism programs with “Listen In With KNN,” so I can reach more students to get them hands-on experience in the media and communications fields.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Some picture credits go to Joy Washington and Jeff Brooks.

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