Kelsey Nicole Nelson

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us tell everyone who you are and where you’re from?

A. First off, thank you so much for having me. It’s a true honor and privilege to interview with you and I appreciate you giving me the platform to share my story. To briefly introduce myself, my name is Kelsey Nicole Nelson and I am an award-winning sports/ entertainment reporter based in the DMV area. Most recently I joined the Washington Football Team’s broadcast team as the host of “The Fit” and “The Life” for the team’s Unfiltered series and I am the host of “Washington Unfiltered” on NBC Sports Washington. I also work as a sideline reporter for the Big East Digital Network (BEDN) where I cover Georgetown women’s basketball. In addition to the above responsibilities I also work as the sideline reporter for DMVstream. com where I cover Georgetown University football and I work as the host/executive producer of the award-winning sports talk radio show podcast “Listen In With KNN” presented by FOX Sports Radio, probably the position I am most known for. For FOX Sports Radio, I also cover all the major and professional sports teams in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area. I also work with the Minor Football League (MFL) as the co-host of “Inside the MFL” on DC Radio apart of the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment. I also work as an instructor at Doral College where I co-teach an “Intro to Radio and Pod casting” course alongside Larry “The Amigo” Milian. The students also run SLAM Radio on Sirius XM. Ch. 145, which is the first satellite station run by high school students.

“ I am born and bred in the DMV and a graduate of the Philip H. Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland – College Park and Georgetown University.”

I sit on the Board of the Most Valuable Kids DC nonprofit organization and serve as the co-chair of the mentorship committee for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Sports Task Force. I am born and bred in the DMV and a graduate of the Philip H. Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland – College Park and Georgetown University.

Q. Tell us your experience being on “KNN” sports radio?

A. As the host and executive producer of the award-winning podcast “Listen In With KNN” presented by FOX Sports Radio 1340 AM and 96.9 FM - WHAP it’s been a thrill to see the show continue to grow! It’s mind blowing to me that the show I started in 2017 has grown into its own brand. Each week, I release a podcast version of the show with a special guest from the sports world! I also, do two livestream shows for my listening audience every Thursday at 6 p.m. ET and every Saturday at 2 p.m. ET where I welcome some of the biggest names in sports both past and present. For the livestream shows, it’s been pretty cool to have fans intact with the show in real-time and get a chance to directly ask questions and comment on the show. It serves the shows purpose as the show is meant to be a conversation between me and a guest where the audience is in essence eavesdropping on the conversation and chiming in. The show caters to the avid sports fans and seeks to connect current events coupled with the latest happenings in the sports world.

On the #ListenInWithKNN show special guests to name a few have included Enes Kanter, Kurt Angle, Donovan McNabb, Mayor Glenn Jacobs (Kane), Metta World Peace, Jason “The Jet” Terry, Lisa Marie Varon, Jonathan Isaac and Shawn Marion to name a few. Other special guests that have joined the podcast version of the show include but are not limited to Gov. Jesse Ventura, LaVar Ball, Mike Hill, Maureen McCormick, Gorgui Dieng, Diamond “Dallas” Page, Kimberly Brown, Rep. Mark Walker, and Santia Deck. The audio version of the podcast is available on ITUNES, Google Play & Spotify. The livestream version of the show can be accessed on my YouTube channel, my Facebook pages or Twitter.

Q. What or Who inspired you to be the woman you are today?

A. I am the woman I am today because of my parents. They sacrificed so much so I could have the opportunity to work towards my dreams. My parents moved to Maryland from Mississippi to ensure I had access to a quality education. They uprooted their lives to be able to be the best providers for me. My parents worked endlessly to make sure I never had to go hungry and made sure that I was always active and involved. From my parents I also learned the value of giving back and living for more than just yourself. Growing up they were always involved in the community a value that’s very near and dear to my heart today grew from witnessing them give their all to improving the lives of others around them.

From my parents I learned the value of hard work. My parents always worked hard so they could provide for me and my little sister. From a young age, being Black and proud was instilled into me. They taught me to love myself and what it meant to be a strong Black woman. They taught me that just because I didn’t see someone that looked like me in a position or career that it didn’t mean that I couldn’t or wouldn’t be there. They taught me that I’d just have to be a trailblazer that breaks down barriers and sometimes possibly be the first but never the last. I learned from them to be comfortable in any situation and that I always belong in the room.

My parents taught me the value of self-worth and self-respect. They inspire me every day to be the best version of me. It’s why I’m very blessed to have them both still involved in my life. Growing up, I was always thankful to always be able to look in the stands and or auditorium to see my parents cheering me on. My parents also never missed a game or awards ceremony. My inspiration begins with my parents, but it doesn’t end there. Many caring adults and mentors helped to shape me into the woman I am today. I look back and thank my teachers, my camp counselors, my afternoon instructors, my coaches and others who always pushed me beyond what I thought was my limits.

Q. I see you are doing some projects with the Washington Football team can you give us more details?

A. I’d be glad to share details of the work I’m doing with my hometown team, the Washington Football team. For the Washington Football Team, I was hired as part of their digital expansion. For the Washington Football Team, I host two shows under the “Unfiltered” Series umbrella. The shows showcase the lighter side of the game through the lens of pop culture. On ‘The Life” I dive into the latest trending topics, and go in-depth into players’ lives off the field discussing their hobbies, interests, and musical tastes. On “The Life” I co-host the show with former Washington Team player and media personality Fred Smoot. On “The Fit” each week I go inside players’ wardrobes, review sneaker drops, debut clothing line collaborations and cover new Washington Football Team gear. On “The Fit” we’ve also been highlighting custom cleat designers that work with some of the top players in the NFL.

Each weekly for both shows, I’m joined by various members of the team. I also host “Washington Unfiltered” which airs every Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. ET on NBC Sports Washington. This

show recaps all the “Unfiltered” series content weekly from the Washington Football team. Currently, this show recaps the following shows from the week: “The Fit,” “The Life,” “The Game,” “The Legacy,” and “The Beat”.

I’ve also had the chance to make guest appearances on “Washington Football Today,” with Julie Donaldson. It’s been a joy working each day with #WashigntonFootball as each week I work with a great team tasked at brining Washington Football fans content in a unique way to keep them connected with the team, especially in the current COVID-19 environment.

Q. How was your experience working with NASCAR?

A. Working with NASCAR was one of the most rewarding and unique experiences of my life. I was glad to be introduced to the sports of NASCAR through the NASCAR Diversity Internship.

I had the chance to move to Charlotte to work in NASCAR’s offices and while I was there, I had the chance to attend my first NASCAR race and appear on NASCAR Sirius XM Radio. Working with NASCAR I was introduced to the business side of sports as I worked in their integrated marketing communications department. I worked to book NASCAR drivers on morning and afternoon radio shows as well as brainstorming ways to market the sport to diverse audiences.

Getting a chance to work for NASCAR and meeting the fans helped to break down my own biases I had of the sport prior. I worked with great colleagues and got to get a wide variety of experience working in a variety of departments and got to be the lead intern in the Charlotte office where I was able to plan lunch and learns and create unique experiences for my co-workers. NASACR was one of my most valuable experiences and it’s one I wouldn’t trade for the world. To this day, I am thankful to be a diverse voice that can speak to the sport of NASCAR.

Q. What has been one of your biggest accomplishments you have had?

A. It’s truly hard to pick just one accomplishment as I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to have received various awards for my work, awards that each have a very special unique meaning to me. If I did have to pick one, I’d probably have to say winning the “DMV Sports Media Person of the Year” award last year. For one, I found out I was awarded this award during Super Bowl LIV. It was a shock!

There’s nothing like getting love from your hometown. The Washington, D.C. area means so much to me since it shaped all my life experiences and helped me to become the person I am today. D.C. is home to so many legends in sports media. It was an honor to even be considered amongst the greats both past and present. They truly are icons that paved the way. So, to know that the people in my area, the people who truly know me and have seen my career grow since the beginning support and like my work, that means the world to me. I work hard day in and day out to ensure that I continue to live up to the distinguished honor of the award.

Q. Can you tell us your biggest challenge you have had?

A. The biggest challenge, that’s a great question! It’s hard to pinpoint one, but I’ll say the biggest challenge I face and still face is being overlooked and finding the right opportunity that will give you the opportunity. This ongoing challenge is one I’m sure than many other journalists face, especially other journalists of Color.

Constantly, I’m told I don’t have enough experience despite being in this industry for a decade, eight years as a professional and having experience on a variety of mediums including television, print and radio it hasn’t been enough. The “experience” has been used as rationale by some in the industry as a way to “justify” paying me less than my colleagues or to not have pay at all. It’s a grind to keep going after being constantly told no, for the same reasons. It has just meant that as a freelance reporter I’m working to prove myself every day.

But, all the challenges and obstacles further fuel and motivate me to push harder, to grind harder, and hustle harder every day. As a Black woman working in sports media, I’m constantly reminded I’m a minority in the room as both a female and an African American. I think of the trailblazers that came before me and I think of the path I hope to blaze for those coming behind me. The challenges I face have toughened me to be the reporter I am today.

Q. Where do you see yourself in the next 3 years?

A. This is a question I’m constantly thinking about in my everyday work as I’m always planning my next step and for the future. In the next three years, I hope for my brand to have grown and for KNN to be a national and international brand. My goal within the next three years is to continue to grow within my current roles as both a member of the broadcast team for the Washington Football team and as a sideline reporter for the Big East Digital Network. I also hope to expand my show “Listen In With KNN” onto the national airwaves and for the show to become a daily syndicated show.

I’d also love in three years to grow within the DMV area as one of the most trusted sources for sports coverage continuing to cover all the teams as a freelancer for the major print, television and radio networks in the area. In terms of expanding my roles, I hope to get a chance to further work with the professional sports teams in Washington, D.C. My ultimate goal is to become a household name. I also have dreams of covering the Olympics in the short term. Working hard each day to make these dreams realities.

Outside of my media work, I also have the goal of making my community action project “Books Breaking Borders: Books to End Educational Bankruptcy” into an official nonprofit that I plan to expand beyond the DMV area to other states across the country helping to address and hopefully end childhood illiteracy rates in marginalized communities.

Q. Are you working on any new projects?

A. Yes, I am in the works of launching a new show, called “Beyond Sports with KNN” that will soon launch on a new network that I can’t disclose just yet! But if readers follow me on social media, they will get exclusive details on when it launches.

I’ll also be launching a new television show, “The Sports Sound of the District and Beyond.” This energetic new show will turn the volume up on the sports and entertainment world. My guests will be invited to different locations like the sports lounge where I will share my thoughts on any and all things sports. I will also discuss the latest things trending on Twitter and social media. I will get to know my guests over good food & drinks and, hopefully, get the 411. I will also put them to the test as I enter into my Q&A trivia session to challenge guest’s health & fitness. It’s a show you won’t want to miss.

I also will soon be releasing my “Listen In With KNN” guest list that will highlight the celebrity guests joining me for the rest of the year that can be found here. I am also looking forward to getting on the sidelines again for college sports coverage. So basically, lots in store for the rest of 2020 and beyond! Be sure to stay tuned.

Q. Tell the readers where they can follow you?

A. People can follow me on social media or my website to follow my work.

Facebook: Kelsey Nicole Nelson Twitter: @TheRealKnelson Instagram: @TheRealKnelson Website: www.KelseyNicoleNelson.com YouTube: Kelsey Nelson