April 30th 2024.
Jennifer King, a trailblazing figure in the world of professional football, is set to be the keynote speaker at an upcoming event at Cornell University. Titled “Breaking Barriers: The First Black Woman to Coach in the NFL,” the event will highlight King's groundbreaking achievements and celebrate her role as the first full-time Black woman coach in the National Football League.
King's groundbreaking moment came in 2021 when she was hired by the Washington Commanders to coach their running backs. Since then, she has also become the running game coordinator for the Chicago Bears, making her the first female coach in the team's history. The Bears, who also have multiple Black men in their front office, have continuously shown a commitment to diversity and representation.
On May 3, 2024, King will take the stage at Cornell University, where she will share her inspiring journey and answer questions from the audience. Following the session, attendees will have the opportunity to meet King, get autographs, and take photos with her. Sharifa Wip, Cornell's associate dean of students and director of Black student empowerment, expressed her excitement for King's visit, stating, "As the first Black woman to be a full-time NFL coach, Coach King is a true barrier breaker. Her impressive resume and record of excellence in professional sports are a source of inspiration for all. We invite our students and the local community to join us for this empowering conversation."
Ericka Rogan, the assistant director of strength and conditioning at Cornell, also shared her thoughts on King's visit, highlighting the significance of her presence for student-athletes, coaches, and the Ithaca community. The conversation with King will center around the importance of diversity and representation in the sports world, and King will share her insights on how to create more opportunities for growth in the coaching field. As one of only 12 female coaches currently working full-time in the NFL, King's perspective is valuable and relevant in today's society.
King's journey to becoming an NFL coach began in 2018 when she was a coaching intern with the Carolina Panthers. It was during that time that she met then-head coach Ron Rivera at the NFL's Women's Forum, which sparked her interest in coaching. When Rivera moved on to coach the Commanders in 2020, he brought King on board, and she has been making history ever since.
In a reflection on her journey, King acknowledged the importance of representation and credited San Francisco 49ers assistant Katie Sowers for showing her that women could coach in the NFL. She also expressed her desire to be a role model for other aspiring coaches, stating, "Representation means so much. It's crucial to be a good role model, something I didn't have growing up. I didn't see anyone who looked like me in the workplace. To be able to provide that representation now is a huge honor. I hope to inspire others to follow in my footsteps." King's words serve as a reminder of the impact that diversity and representation can have on individuals and the society as a whole. It is an honor to have her as the keynote speaker at Cornell University, and her presence will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on all who attend.
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