| What is your “Speaker Superpower”? | |
| I think an innate super power lies within us all. The beauty and journey of life is searching for this. I have been blessed that since I was a child, many people have dubbed me with “the gift of gab.” Speaking for me comes naturally, but it wasn’t always this way. I had to get in touch and truly know myself. I think my speaker superpower is the ability to connect with any audience of any size and with people from any background. I seize the opportunity to inspire anyone to act. To make someone in the audience smile, and feel empowered. As a Black woman, I enter every room as strong and fearless, and authentically me, the only way I know how to be. I don’t strive for perfection but rather purpose. I use my gifts to connect in a different way as a speaker. I work to captivate and move people in a direction. My ability to be naturally myself, bring my personality in all I do and to speak with an authority that captures an audience. My story resonates in all I do. My story plays a part in everything I do. The highs and lows of my life and the ability to be open and vulnerable while learning from my audience is key. I prefer going unscripted “reading the room” and tailoring my message to the particulars in that room. | |
| How does your message empower others? | |
| People see the “glory'” and not the story. I think social media has created a false sense of ease in one’s journey. When people hear my story coming from humble beginnings, I always hope the work ethic I share resonates with people. No one can control your motivation and what you decide to do with the time God grants you each day. I maximize the 24 hours each day. I think my message relates to people because my story involves me using my circumstances and the cards life dealt me and working hard, making smart decisions, and aligning myself with causes and people. I’m open and honest in my story. I’ve experienced defeat, I’ve been hurt and bypassed, lied to and overlooked. I share this. There’s a beauty in vulnerability and chaos, and that’s the power to come out of it stronger and to share your learnings with others, as not to be a gatekeeper but rather a light that can lead others. My message is one of being an underdog. A message that as an underdog your life story becomes one of proving others wrong and yourself right, and knowing how to pivot throughout life to keep yourself on track on your goals and what you want to attain. | |
| What inspired you to start speaking or coaching? | |
| Speaking honestly, choose me. I’ve always felt motivated by words. I’m a poet at heart. As a child, I was always a writer. I would read many books, and I lived from writing stories and long essays. But it was when I would describe my passions, that people really began to listen. I was a storyteller and everyone would come to me to hear more. I was inspired by the journalists I saw on television and their ability to look into a camera and get everyone on the other end to get behind what they were saying. The power to influence, craft and create narratives inspired me to speak. Early on I was inspired by the conversations of Black civil rights’ leaders. I still remember the first time I read “Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I A Woman? Or Fannie Lou Hamer famous “I’m Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired.” My parents were born deep in the Jim Crow South in Jackson, Mississippi and they always encouraged me to use my words and to speak out about injustices and wrongs. Advocacy drew me into being a speaker, and purpose has kept me here. You have to find your voice then choose what you do with it. For me it was sharing my voice with others when I saw the “power” I carried. The caring adults around me as a child saw my leadership capabilities before I even saw them in myself. I was always given a mic, whether it was speaking at my local Boys and Girls Club, hosting assemblies or introducing speakers, people have always entrusted me with a microphone. Then when I became a national pageant queen, my speaking abilities continued to grow. I was on multiple stages connecting with various individuals, using “my platform, for a purpose, fueled by my passions.” | |
| What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received in your career as a speaker? | |
| When I was a child, I remember the first time I tried out to sing solo it was Yolanda Adams song “Never Give Up.” The song begins “Visions that can change the world, trapped inside an ordinary girl. She looks just like me, too afraid to dream out loud. And though it’s set for your idea. It won’t make sense to everybody. You need courage now. If you’re going to persevere, to fulfill your divine purpose, you’ve gotta answer when you’re called. So don’t be afraid to face the world, against all odds.” This lives rent free in my head daily. This relates to the best piece of advice I ever received, which is to be courageous on stage, and to never stop doing what you’re doing as a speaker. Confidence on stage will command an audience, and get people to stop and listen. Confidence elicits respect, and once you have the respect and commanding attention of your audience there’s nothing you can’t do. | |
| What are some of your most memorable moments or achievements in this field? | |
| First and foremost, I give God all the glory for all He has allowed me to achieve. Being a two-time Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award honoree continues to leave me in awe. I launched the inaugural “Intro to Sports Writing & Reporting” course during my second year as a professor at George Washington University. I’ve had the opportunity to grace multiple magazine covers regionally, nationally and internally. I’ve had the opportunity to cover events at White House. I’ve been a regular contributor and talent for national shows on Bally Sports, NBC and Peacock. I had three shows for one of the top NFL franchises in brand value, in the Washington Football Team (now Washington Commanders) and I currently work with top brands in FOX Sports and featured on ESPN. Just this year, I went on shows in Great Britain, Canada and I’ve been on international shows as far as Dubai, as a leading sports journalist here in the U.S. I’ve collaborated with top brands such as Nike, the Rose Bowl Institute and have interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars like Robin Thicke and the late Dikembe Mutombo, as well sitting on panels with stars like Stephen A. Smith and hosted events at the National Press Club. I was named the 2022 D.C. Media Person of the Year by the Washington Chiefs Inc. and for my work in the community I was named a Luminary Award winner by the Thursday Network of the Greater Washington Urban League. This year I was also honored by the Media Girls Network and Media Girls on Tour and named Broadcast Journalist of the Year award at the Inaugural Black Girl Magic Image Awards. I also am the first woman to co-host the National Association of Black Journalists Sam Lacy Pioneer Awards, an opportunity I never take for granted. My career has been the gift that keeps on giving with blessing me with an abundance of opportunities. | |
| How do you stay motivated and inspired to continually grow your influence? | |
| I stay humble and hungry. I always say “be humble, don’t be humbled.” I also am never content knowing I can always do more. My work ethic always keeps me moving. I know I’ve worked for all I have and that I will have to continue to work for all I want. My motivation comes from seeing others shine. In my close circle and just all around the DMV I’m inspired by so many rockstar Black women that each day elude #BlackGirlMagic. I don’t take for granted living in a city led by a Black woman, living down the street from the White House where a Black woman sits in the Vice President chair and in a city where per capita Black women lead in leadership roles. I can only be great living in the nation’s capital where we realize everyone can eat. I’m also motivated by the opportunity to build my own table and bring the supplies and tools to ensure that others can join me at the table, put their elbows down and be heard and listened to. My motivation comes from new opportunities that continue to arise. My career has continued to evolve, taking me beyond my wildest dreams. Just this year, I made my on-air debut as a color analyst with ESPN+ covering American University women’s basketball. This was never in the cards. I thought being a sideline reporter was the goal, but the opportunity came my way and I jumped at it. The motivation comes from being “comfortable being uncomfortable,” knowing God doesn’t throw anything your way you can’t handle. | |
| How does your brand reflect your core values? | |
| The KNN brand is me in reality. My core value is to be true to you, showcasing your authentic self in an authentic way. My brand is the ultimate reflection of my journey. My core values are basic. 1. Have integrity. Know what you are willing and not willing to do. For me, I will not do anything that comprises the reputation I build. I am not a clout chaser. I chase my goals and have authentically built a following, inspired by my work. 2. Work for what you want. Your work ethic is demonstrative of your will and what you want. Nothing is handed to you. Everything is earned based off what you’re willing to work for. 3. Be humble. Nothing is too big or too small for me. 4. Stay true to your people. I am a product of the DMV and I will never forget what I come from. The DMV raised me and shaped me into who I am today. There’s no place like home and I always prioritize home, and the people here who support me. I am because of them. 5. Deny distractions. Mute or rid yourself of unwarranted baggage that doesn’t make you better. This can mean even your closest loved ones if they don’t see the vision that will lead you on your mission. 6. Grow. I always measure my growth from year to year. I also want to be doing more and be on bigger platforms than last year. | |
| What do you want audiences to remember after experiencing your presentation or session? | |
| I am driven by legacy and impact. My senior yearbook quote was “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” I hope any audience I touch, large or small, feels inspired and that what I share resonates with them in a way that is long-term and withstanding. For me I’m a smiler and I hope the audience remembers something I said that brings a bright smile to their face. Enjoyment in what I’m saying and sharing, hopefully learning something new along the way. I also want them to know I seek to make a difference. I speak for the fulfillment of my purpose, and seek to bring others to fill part of a larger movement and mission. | |
| What has been your biggest learning experience as a speaker or consultant? | |
| My biggest learning experience has been the fact that people do truly want to see you succeed and win as a speaker. When I first began speaking, I was so nervous thinking people would pick up on my faults if I wasn’t perfect. Every time I speak now, I’m always so encouraged by someone or a group of people who come up to me after sharing a tidbit they learned from me or sharing why I inspired them. I thought the world was ready to chew me up and spit me out if I wasn’t what they wanted me to be on stage. Instead I’ve learned people do want you for you. The unique qualities you bring and your life experiences galvanize people to you. | |
| What advice would you give to aspiring speakers, coaches, or consultants who want to make an impact? | |
| “Be true to it, not new to it.” Build a brand by finding based on what makes you uniquely you. A brand is built off consistency and good work. It makes others take notice and want to be part of it. There’s something special in all of us. For me, I built my brand off a tagline and nickname people gave to me as a child. As a natural storyteller and a young child who loved the news, people began to call me “KNN,” a play off of CNN as my own media network. KNN describes me, as a person who owns her own media network in “Listen In With KNN,” and own media communications consulting company in KryptiaNN, KNN plays a part in all I do. KNN is a combination of me, my storytelling and my social media brand. It’s a reflection of the career and life I have built. | |
| Finally, how can people get in touch with you? | |
| www.KelseyNicoleNelson.com, https://linktr.ee/KelseyNicoleNelson, and at https://kelseynicolenelson.info |
