Black women who helped break barriers in sports journalism joined emerging and established voices at the 2026 National Association for Black Journalist Convention in Atlanta, Georgia for a candid conversation about navigating the industry, overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for the next generation.
The standing-room-only panel, “Women in Sports Media: Breaking Barriers, Owning the Room” was moderated by Black Press USA National Correspondent Bell White and featured broadcasting pioneer Jayne Kennedy-Overton, veteran sports journalist Pam Oliver, FOX Sports Radio reporter Kelsey Nicole Nelson and Jacksonville Free Press Associate Editor Lynn Jones.
Together, the four women represented generations of Black women who have challenged traditional boundaries in an industry where opportunities were historically limited.
Kennedy-Overton was among the first Black women to gain national prominence in sports broadcasting, including serving as a co-host of CBS’ “The NFL Today.” The NABJ Hall of Fame inductee recalled competing for opportunities when few Black women appeared on national television.
“I was a finalist among many women who wanted this position,” Kennedy-Overton said. “The powers said they wanted me, and the rest is history.”
Kennedy-Overton, whose memoir ‘Plain Jayne,’ chronicles her life and career, also reflecting on interviewing boxing legend Muhammad Ali, the support she received from broadcaster Brent Musburger and the role of the Black Press in supporting her career.
Oliver, whose career in national sports broadcasting spans nearly three decades, discussed the importance of developing relationships with athletes and establishing trust. She said creating an environment where players feel comfortable sharing their stories has been essential to distinguishing her work as a reporter.
Nelson focused on another necessity for journalist: reinvention. An award-winning sports journalist, author and communications professor, Nelson has built a career across traditional and digital media. The FOX Sports Radio reporter/host and Atlantic 10 Conference studio host and host of the popular sports and entertainment podcast “Listen In With KNN,” mentors aspiring journalists, helping them navigate the changing ways audiences consume sports coverage. She has become an influential voice in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region while continuing to evolve with the changing media landscape.
Jones brought a local perspective to the discussion, drawing on more than 20 years covering sports, culture and communities in Jacksonville, throughout Florida and across the country.
She spoke candidly about the scrutiny Black women can encounter in sports journalism and how quickly reporters themselves can become a part of the story.
Jones experienced that firsthand following a viral exchange with Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen. The moment attracted national attention and criticism from some within the journalism profession.
“Sportswriters wanted me canceled, my credentials revoked and questioned my status among journalists in Jacksonville, Florida,” Jones told the audience.
For a recap on the 2026 National Association of Black journalists conference visit www.nabjconvention.com.