With National Girls and Women in Sports Day tomorrow, the Super Bowl less than a week away, and the 2024 Summer Olympics here before we know it, sports is a hot topic. But, what about the people covering it? Meet Kelsey Nicole Nelson (she/her), award-winning sports journalist, who states she had a conventional-turned-unconventional start. Sure, she’s worked on play-by-plays, game summaries, and investigative reporting like many others, but she also makes up 1.1% of Black women reporters in the industry. Meaning: She’s often the only Black woman in the press box. “My journey has had lots of trials and tribulations as well as stories of great joy and jubilation as well as sorrow and hurt that I’ve since learned to turn into action,” she says. “That said, I’ve been extremely blessed in my career and it’s taken me places I could’ve never imagined.”

Let’s hear about the places she’s been and where she’d like the future of sports media to go below.

Tell us about the goods, the greats, and the maybe not so greats from your journey into sports journalism.
My journey began with a love of sports inspired early on by my father, and it blossomed as I grew as an athlete throughout my childhood. I was either watching or playing games which spurred a “gift of gab” early on—a dedication to watching the news and an uncanny feeling to never settle for just anything.

I became a multi-business owner, spoke on television in Dubai, graced an immense number of stages to do public and motivational speaking, worked as a university professor, won top awards and covered some of the biggest games including the Super Bowl. But for every win, I’ve also had a letdown. The jobs I applied to I never heard back from, the silent firings, working without an agent and fighting for my worth and being told that I don’t have enough experience (aka basically a nicer way of saying we don’t want you) though I’ve worked professionally in journalism for a decade.

Every day presents a new challenge, as well as an opportunity to learn and grow. Every day I’m reminded that I’m a Black woman in sports media. I’m reminded how I have to work harder, be better, be smarter, and know how to pivot in an industry where I’m not always welcome. I’m reminded how not everyone will accept me and how people will even pray for my downfall. My journey continues and I hope it’s one people will continue to follow and be inspired by.

It’s not a shock that the majority of sports reporters are overwhelmingly old, white dudes. How has that stat affected your career as one of the few Black women in the industry?
I think as Black women, many of us know in sports media we need a security blanket because we aren’t safe as we continue to see layoffs across the industry. Shorter contracts, less guaranteed. For me, it’s meant having countless transferable skills, and multiple sources of income. On a local level, I’ve seen Black women be forced into entrepreneurial media because no one’s giving them an opportunity so they’ve created their own. On a national level, I’ve seen countless Black women bypassed for opportunities in sports media. I also think of my hometown in Washington, D.C. where Black women have to fight and claw for an opportunity to be in mainstream media.

All this to say, the beauty I find in being a Black woman is we always will work to find a way. We don’t give up easily, as we all know how to create and fight for ourselves. We will not be intimidated or turned away. We don’t give up easily.

From the start of your career to now, have you seen any improvements in representation for sports media? What type of work still needs to be done?
Sports media for a long time and even now, has been referred to as “The Good Old Boys Club.” I still remember the utter shock on people’s faces when I first declared I wanted to enter the industry. In some instances, you’re still the “only” one. If you look at the average press box, it’s still pretty uniform. But, I’m happy to report we are moving in the right direction. We continue to see women help to break the glass ceiling, and Black women be given opportunities in all mediums. But it’s still a select few that we can name getting access to top premier opportunities in sports media at large networks. This is why I’m very active in the National Association of Black Journalists, the Washington Association of Black Journalists, Black Sports Professionals, Minorities in Sports and the Society of Professional Journalists, among many other organizations. Diversity in media should be championed, supported, and heralded, not belittled and used as a political pawn.

What’s your advice to those who want to stand out in a white, male-dominated industry?
Stay hungry. You should always be nurturing your craft and finding ways to get better. But, don’t be afraid to be you and let your individuality shine through. Next, have a game plan and give yourself a timeline to accomplish it. While patience is required, I believe it’s important to list out multiple ways to achieve your goals so you can always pivot the road to reaching them. As many will find out, things do not always go according to plan. But, you should not be deferred or deterred by this. There are multiple ways to get to your destination. You just have to embrace the journey. Lastly, I’d say stay ready, so you never have to get ready. You might not know when the next opportunity is going to come. And, of course, know that you can do this!