Simone owes you NOTHING

On By kassienetteIn Uncategorized12 Comments
{Source: Google Images}

I woke up early yesterday morning.

Wait. Let me rephrase that.

I woke up earlier than normal yesterday morning. Over a year later, I’m still getting used to the way I’ve shifted my schedule to utilize more of the morning hours for work as opposed to burning the midnight oil. Isn’t that the term?

Anywho, that’s not what I’m here to talk about.

I woke up yesterday. excited. Although I have a strong opinion about whether or not the ‘Lympics should’ve been held this year, I’ve been all in because it’s the ‘Lympics. It’s must see tv especially when that racewalking final comes on.

Ok, let me get back on track.

After conducting my morning routine, I turned on the tv to tune into the gold medal softball game between the US and Japan. And I opened my tablet to log on to NBCOlympics.com (where you can watch all events live) to tune into the women’s gymnastics team finals.

I had settled into my comfortable little nook when I heard the announcer reference Simone Biles’ fall after her vault. Say what now? Well, that’s out of the ordinary for her, I thought. Confident she would shake off the perceived jitters, it wasn’t long before I learned that the situation surrounding Simone was one of concern.

The commentators began to report that she had left the floor with a trainer. Oh no, I said out loud. As they dissected all that went wrong during her vault, I said a little prayer.

Then the shocking news reverberated across the world.

Simone Biles was out of the team competition.

Continue reading “Simone owes you NOTHING” →

DMX: Much More Than Music

On By kassienetteIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I really wish I had been prompted to write this during the summer.

Right after DMX “battled” Snoop Dogg.

But I wasn’t.

So I’m here now. And I wish I was writing under more ideal circumstances but I’m not.

Continue reading “DMX: Much More Than Music” →

Farewell EJD

On By kassienetteIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

As soon as I read the text, a gasp escaped from my mouth.

My hand immediately found its way to my chest as it embraced my shock.

And my phone fell to the floor.

Eric Jerome Dickey, one of my two favorite fiction writers, had passed away at the age of 59.

We were only five days into 2021. Yet here I was receiving information that turned my joyous day into one of sorrow, sadness and perplexion. Instead of pushing the feelings aside in favor of continuing with the work that was before me, I gave myself grace to sit with my thoughts for a while as I reflected on the impact EJD’s legacy had on my life.

Continue reading “Farewell EJD” →

8 years ago today…

On By kassienetteIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Today is The Korner’s 8th birfday. And it has been five years since I have written on this special day. But with everything that’s going on, and everything that has transpired since, this post is a must. So here we go…

For those of you who are unfamiliar with my story, I will fill you in real quick. I started Kassie Nette’s Korner because I wanted to have my own place to talk about sports. At the time, I was engulfed in the life of being under employed. I was working in retail management while trying to revamp my career path. I have always been passionate about sports and was being encouraged by many to re-enter into the industry. Having previously worked in the North Carolina State University Athletic Department for five years, I assumed securing a job would be easy.

Nope.

No one was interested in hiring a black woman who held a master’s in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management with a concentration in Sports Management who had previously been employed in various capacities for one of the nation’s premier athletic departments. Frustrated and baffled but not deterred, I became tired of waiting for an opportunity. So, I created my own.

And that’s how The Korner was born.

Continue reading “8 years ago today…” →

#TheLastDance

On By kassienetteIn Basketball, Controversy, Life, NBA, North Carolina State University, Sports1 Comment

Seven years ago, ESPN debuted a documentary that was met by a level of excitement within me that hadn’t been witnessed before.

It was based on a story in which I had a lot of familiarity. It was based on a story that I’d had the privilege of discussing with many who played intricate roles in the outcome. It was a story that found itself at the forefront every March. And it is a story that always tugged at the heartstrings of graduates of my alma mater.

It was the story of the North Carolina State University 1983 Men’s Basketball Team. And their destiny that culminated with them doing what others thought was impossible to capture a national championship that is still talked about decades later.

Before then, my level of excitement about a documentary hadn’t been matched. Since then, it hadn’t been matched.

Until last year.

Continue reading “#TheLastDance” →

Free At Last: Lexington native embraces change, advocates for inmates

On By kassienetteIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

…thankful to put pen to paper for this one…

Two weeks ago I had the privilege to interview Mr. Matthew Charles – the man who made international headlines after he was ordered to return to federal prison after spending 20 years incarcerated. It’s an honor to profile Mr. Matthew who is easily one of the most humble, memorable and remarkably wise persons I’ve ever met. He’s on a mission to bring to light the injustices of the “justice system” and change the narrative for the voiceless who are caught up in the wave of incapacitation everyday. Welcome home, Mr. Matthew! To God be the glory!

https://www.the-dispatch.com/news/20190503/lexington-native-embraces-change-advocates-for-inmates

 

Why I: Love Being Black

On By kassienetteIn Entertainment, Football, Giving back, Heroes, Life, MLB, Music, NBA, NCAA, NFL, North Carolina State University, Olympics, Sports, Tennis, Track and Field, Women in SportsLeave a comment

Say it loud – I’M BLACK and I’M PROUD!!

Other than the phrases, “God is good,”

or

“Pizza is from Heaven”

or

“I have the best family and friends ever,” no truer words have ever been spoken.

Today, is the last day of Black History Month. Today marks the culmination of a push across America to squeeze in as much information into the minds of those who will listen about the contributions of black people in America. While today signifies the end of the collective focus, spanning various races, it does not signify the end of the cycle to educate, highlight and uncover facts that need not be ignored.

But that’s not why I’m here.

I could go on and on about the lack of teaching when it comes to black history.

But that’s not why I’m here.

Continue reading “Why I: Love Being Black” →