Jayne Kennedy, the pioneering trailblazer who captured the hearts of Americans when she made history in broadcast and entertainment, is making a comeback with her new memoir, “Plain Jayne.”
Released in September, the book chronicles Kennedy’s journey from a small-town Ohio girl with big dreams to groundbreaking television personality, model, and actress.
Kennedy visited Sacramento on Oct. 23 for the Oak Park Speaker Series hosted by Underground Books. The event drew fans eager to hear from the woman whose legacy helped reshape how America viewed women, especially Black women, in sports entertainment.
Growing up, Kennedy always was drawn to entertainment, the arts, and show business. As a 4-year-old, she would prance around her yard wearing cat-eye glasses with rhinestones, declaring her destiny to her family.
“I would tell everybody I was going to grow up to be a movie star,” Kennedy recalled.
She did just that and more.
She began modeling in high school and soon became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Ohio USA, a breakthrough moment that set the stage for her multifaceted career. From there, Kennedy carved her path in Hollywood, acting and performing as a dancer on “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In”, touring with Bob Hope’s USO show in Vietnam, appearing regularly on “The Dean Martin Show,” and working as a singer and performer.
But it was her groundbreaking role in that late 1970s as the first Black woman to host a nationally televised NFL pregame show that cemented her place in American media history.
Despite industry pushback, Kennedy earned her spot on CBS’s “The NFL Today” through a mix of talent, professionalism, and perseverance, qualities that became undeniable after a standout interview with Muhammad Ali impressed network executives and solidified her as a force in sports broadcasting.
“I never let anything stand in my way,” she said. “I embrace everything, and I never thought that there was something that I could not do.”
Now in her 70s, Kennedy carries the same energy into her newest chapter. Her return to the spotlight isn’t about reliving past glories, but rather about inspiring others to keep moving forward. She says “Plain Jayne,” which took years to write, is her way of reclaiming her story while helping younger generations see what’s possible when resilience meets purpose.
“I just don’t want people to think that they should settle and let things stand in the way of their dreams,” she said. “I’m here to tell you that you need to broaden your vision.”
Kennedy’s comeback also extends beyond the pages. Through her production company, fittingly named Not Done Yet, she continues to mentor and motivate others to embrace every season of life with courage and creativity.
“Even though I’ve been gone from the industry for 30 years, I still believe in my heart that I can still make a difference, that I still have something to offer,” Kennedy said.
