Chanelle Reynolds was born and raised in Delaware and attended Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington and Delaware State University. She is the daughter of a Pastor and a local educator of 40 years, her mother retired as the Principal of Bancroft Elementary in Wilmington up until her passing in March 2023.
Chanelle is an NFL Professional, Speaker, Author, and Podcaster. She has 2 books on Amazon, completed 2 TED Talks with the most recent TED Talk being in Johannesburg, at the University of South Africa, and has one of the very few sports podcasts to be signed to the REVOLT Podcast Network.
As busy as she is, she still comes home from the DMV area every weekend to visit with family and serve at her local church.
Tell us about what you do and how you started.
I am the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Lead at the NFL’s Washington Commanders. I’m the first person to have this role at the company, so it’s been a fun journey. I am also pursuing my doctorate at Wilmington University.
I started my career with the Philadelphia 76ers’ NBA G League Affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. From there I had the unique opportunity to come to the Washington Commanders to start their Group Sales Department. It was a unique opportunity, because not many people can say they started a department for an NFL Team.
While in Group Sales, I along with other key colleagues, started the first Employee Resource Group for the then, Washington Redskins. The group was known as the Black Engagement Network. This opened the door for me to do DE&I full-time for the team.
Outside of my 9-5 with the Washington Commanders, I am a published author, international speaker, and podcast host on the REVOLT Podcast network.
How did you initially start in business?
It all started with me writing my first book during the pandemic. I’d always get contacted by people who were interested in being in the sports industry and they wanted advice. Writing a book was my way of getting this information out to as many people as possible. From there speaking engagements came about, then podcasting.
When you are not working … what do you do for fun or relaxation?
Spending time with Family and Friends.
Is there anything we should be looking forward to coming from you or that you want our readers to know?
Tune in to my The Success Playbook Podcast every Thursday!
Can you tell our readers more about your Podcast and what you think sets it apart from other sports podcasts in your industry?
My podcast has a niche focus on shared stories of success and navigating through failure through the lens of sports. I talk to athletes and celebrities about their journeys. Think “Club Shay Shay” minus the drama, LOL! My show also has a professional development/career navigation aspect to it. I’ve had notable guests such as the Chief Human Resources Officer at NASCAR come on and give advice. That’s my secret sauce.
What inspires you to do the work you do?
I love sharing stories of the underrepresented. This shows up not only at my 9-5 as a DE&I practitioner but also on my podcast. My audience shares the stories of Black professionals in sports who rarely get to share their journeys. Some have been behind the scenes or in front of the camera for years, but never shared their success story. I love helping their stories be told.
Is there anyone you would like to thank who has helped you on your journey?
Of course, my lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But I also have to thank my amazing parents for the values they’ve instilled in me as a child. If you notice the pattern, the work I do is selfless. It’s all about serving others. Having a spirit of servitude is something my parents taught me from a young age. From being a PK (preacher’s kid) to now doing life in the real world.
Follow Chanelle Reynolds
Instagram: @ChanelleSReynolds
Podcast: The Success Playbook Podcast
Books: The Art of Taking L’s / The Success Playbook
