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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kelsey Nicole Nelson—award‑winning sports media personality, and entrepreneur. She joins Rushion McDonald to discuss her journey in sports journalism, entrepreneurship, branding, and building a successful multi‑hyphenate career. She details how she built her media presence from the DMV area, launched her branding and digital communications company, navigated a male‑dominated industry, and leveraged authenticity, work ethic, and strategic networking to grow both her journalism and business ventures.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview was designed to:

Highlight how Kelsey built a career in sports journalism, on‑air talent, content creation, and entrepreneurship.
Explore the creation and mission of her digital branding and communications company, KryptiaNN.
Provide guidance for aspiring journalists and entrepreneurs navigating today’s evolving media landscape.
Discuss the importance of authenticity, networking, representation, and strategic risk‑taking in developing a long‑term career.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Building a Media Career Starts with Identity, Roots & Confidence

Her upbringing in the DMV and her HBCU‑rich family culture shaped her early exposure to sports.
She emphasized being confident in spaces where representation is limited and carrying the responsibility of opening doors for others.

2. Entrepreneurship Grew Out of Demand for Her Skills

KryptiaNN was born when people repeatedly sought her help for branding, social media, and communications—and her tax professional advised formalizing it as an LLC.
The name “KryptiaNN” is a tribute to Black history, Egyptian culture, and her own branding identity.

3. Career Growth Comes from Work Ethic + Relationships + Visibility

She built her national profile after a podcast interview with LaVar Ball went viral, leading to coverage on major platforms.
Networking, showing up at events, and being active in the sports community helped her become a Heisman Trophy voter.

4. Journalism Today Requires Branding, Storytelling & Ethical Grounding

She teaches sports media at George Washington University and stresses ethics, objectivity, and authenticity.
She explained that today’s journalists must also be content creators, with employers evaluating social media presence as part of hiring.

5. Entrepreneurship Requires Client Base, Visual Branding & Courage

She advised new entrepreneurs to secure initial clients before launching.
Strong online visuals and consistent content creation are essential for credibility.

6. Relationship‑Building Matters in Athlete and Nonprofit Work

Working with athletes requires trust, knowledge of sport, and navigating personal brands.
A decade of nonprofit communications experience helped her develop the communications and relationship‑management skills that fuel her company today.

🗣️ Notable Quotes from the Interview On Career Confidence & Identity

“There’s never been a room I haven’t walked in with confidence… I own being a Black woman and love it.”

On Journalism

“There are two things no one can teach you—work ethic and passion.”
“Ethics means being unbiased, being objective… leaving your biases at the door.”

On Entrepreneurship

“Fear is always real… but the field called me into entrepreneurship.”
“You need to have some clientele—you don’t want to start entrepreneurship with your bank account negative.”.

On Branding & Social Media

“Brand yourself. Don’t think people are just going to come to you.”
“Have at least one piece of content posted every day.”

On Athletes & Image

“The first thing people do is look you up—your track record matters.”
“Some things you have to soak in silence and take the higher road.” (Discussing athlete PR mistakes).

On Her Purpose

“I’m driven by one word—legacy.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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