There’s something powerful about a woman who knows exactly who she is and refuses to shrink in rooms that were never designed with her in mind.

Joidon Jennings is that woman.

In an industry where young Black women are still underrepresented especially in digital media, brand strategy, and leadership roles within sports, Jennings isn’t just participating, she’s building, leading, opening doors, and making sure she doesn’t walk through them alone.

At just 30 years old, she has already navigated professional sports organizations, moved across five states in seven years, battled imposter syndrome, launched a mentorship initiative, and recently accepted a major leadership role as Director of Digital Media at CSI Sports which was a goal she’s been quietly working toward for years.

But if you ask her who she is beyond the titles, the answer is deeper than sports.

“I would describe myself as someone who lives to bring joy into the world like my name implies. I really believe in choosing to be happy and to see the positive side of things instead of dwelling on the unknown. My faith and relationship with God is very important to me. I have crazy faith and I always hope that God shines his light through me to inspire others,” Jennings said.

That “crazy faith” has carried her from the court to corporate boardrooms and now into rooms where she’s helping reshape what access looks like in the sports industry.

From Athlete to Architect

Like many young women who grow up loving sports, Jennings journey began on the field and court. She played basketball, volleyball, and soccer before focusing fully on basketball in high school with dreams of earning a full scholarship.

She did just that, landing at Miles College, but somewhere between practices and games, reality tapped her on the shoulder.

“My junior year I realized I had not planned or thought about my future and my career after college. I decided to not play my senior year and interned in the athletics department. That is where my passion for sports marketing emerged,” Jennings said.

That pivot changed everything.

Instead of chasing stats, she began studying strategy. Instead of preparing for the next game, she prepared for the next campaign.

Unlike many millennials who expect overnight success, Jennings understood something crucial early on: sports teaches patience.

“Being a former athlete, I was used to not seeing instant results so I was prepared to trust the process and put in the work each day by volunteering, interning, networking and even asking for help or direction even if I felt stupid or uncomfortable at the time,” Jennings said.

There’s something bold and almost audacious about the way she describes her belief in herself.

“Looking back on it now, I had so much audacity like ‘This has to work’ and I think it helped me build the confidence I needed in this industry.”

That audacity became her superpower.

Green Bay, Growth & Belonging

One of the most defining chapters of her journey came at the height of uncertainty. COVID had just begun and she was finishing an internship with the Baltimore Ravens. During this time the world felt unstable and her future felt unclear.

This lead to her doing something bold. She applied for the position.

“I didn’t even feel qualified for the role but I just applied,” Jennings said.

That role was a Digital UX Coordinator with the Green Bay Packers.

She got it, moved to Green Bay and became the only Black woman in her department.

“It was lonely at times but I learned so much about myself and realized I belong in this industry.”

That realization changed her trajectory.

Because when you’re one of the few or the only, you feel the weight of representation. The sports industry, especially in digital media and leadership spaces, still lacks significant representation of young Black women. Even beyond sports, there’s an ongoing lack of young Black women being represented in industry publications, media coverage, and leadership narratives.

Jennings felt that absence deeply.

“Other black people and minorities belong in spaces and rooms like me but it is harder to navigate when you don’t know or have the resources to help,” she added.

That’s when her career stopped being just about her.

It became bigger.

Turning 30 & Turning Purpose Into Action

Sometimes milestones don’t just mark time, they ignite clarity.

Turning 30 forced Jennings to think about legacy.

“At the start of 2026, I told myself there will never be a perfect time and I will never learn everything about entrepreneurship unless I try.”

She launched In It To Win It: Jobs in Sports & Entertainment, a platform designed to make industry access more transparent.

What started as weekly job postings has grown into something more intentional. It’s mentorship, resources, education, and strategy.

“I post weekly jobs in the sports & entertainment industry because I get messages from students daily asking how I got started in sports and what strategies and advice I can offer.”

Millennials crave clarity, Gen Z craves access and Jennings is bridging both.

She’s also revamping her side business, Couth Careers, and developing an educational video series to further equip aspiring professionals not just online, but showing up in person as well.

“I also speak at least once a month at a college or nonprofit sharing professional development tips like interview prep, resume advice and tips to succeed in the workforce.”

She’s not gatekeeping, she’s guiding.

Faith, Fear & Failing Forward

In the sports world, it things tends to move fast. Breaking news doesn’t wait, campaigns don’t pause, therefore having a career in it requires sacrifice.

Jennings has moved to five states in seven years chasing her calling.

That means leaving comfort, explaining decisions to family, rebuilding community, and starting over.

“Constantly packing, meeting new people, learning new cities and ways of life… can be overwhelming but I don’t want to live with any regrets or what ifs so my mindset is always even if I fail, I fail forward,” Jennings said.

Imposter syndrome still shows up, especially when representation is scarce.

“I don’t see a lot of people like me on a daily basis.”

But when she does?

“It’s like a family reunion.”

There’s power in that recognition.

Leadership & the Shift We Need

When asked what she wants to see change in the industry, her answer is direct:

“I would love to see more people of color and women in leadership roles.”

We’ve seen incremental progress, but there’s still work to do. Young Black women in digital sports media remain rare especially at the director level which makes this next milestone even more powerful.

Jennings recently accepted a role as Director of Digital Media at CSI Sports, accomplishing a long-term goal she’s held for years.

This isn’t just a promotion, it’s proof.

Proof that crazy faith works, proof that audacity pays off, proof that representation can rise.

In addition, she sees the bigger picture.

“I feel like this will allow me to create more opportunities for students and also give me more flexibility to continue building and revamping my side business.”

Even at the top of her milestone list, she’s thinking about the next generation.

The Millennial Playbook for Breaking In

If you want to work in sports, she doesn’t sugarcoat it.

You need humility.

“Just like playing sports, there’s no I in team,” she said.

You need urgency.

“In sports, there will always be breaking news and constant updates.”

And you need bold initiative.

“I have the ‘ask for forgiveness not permission’ mindset because my intentions are always genuine.”

That mentality of being proactive, prepared, prayerful is what separates dreamers from doers.

What’s Next?

In 2026, expect to see more of Jennings.

“You can expect to see more of me online authentically building my personal brand, continuing to grow my In It To Win It series, and I have a couple of speaking engagements lined up like being a keynote speaker at Indiana University.”

She’s growing her voice, expanding her influence, and strengthening her impact.

But if you ask her what excites her most?

It’s not the title, the accolades, or the platform.

“I’m even more excited to help others chase their dreams too,” she said.

Married to the Mission

At her core, Jennings is a joy-bringer, a strategist, mentor, and a visionary.

She’s a young Black woman in an industry that hasn’t always reflected her image and instead of shrinking, she expanded. Jennings created access, opportunities, and her own seat.

And now she’s building more chairs not just for herself but for others that are on the same journey.

For the millennial reading this who wants to break into sports, and for the young Black woman wondering if she belongs, for the student refreshing LinkedIn at midnight, you do belong.

And if Jennings journey proves anything, it’s this:

With the right mindset, proper strategy, and a little crazy faith anything is possible.