Michael Jennings

Wade Davis II is a former NFL football player who played for the Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks, as well as two different teams within the NFL Europe league. He’s an advocate, writer, speaker and educator working to combat different intersectional issues such as sexism, racism, homophobia, HIV/AIDS, mass incarceration, poverty and youth homelessness.

He’s currently the Executive Director of the You Can Play Project, an organization dedicated to ending discrimination, sexism and homophobia in sports through the creation of curriculum, programming, trainings and conversations focused on inclusion and diversity. In 2013, he co-founded the You Belong Initiative with Darnell L. Moore, an organization that offers LGBTQ and straight-allied youth a series of 3-day comprehensive sports instruction and leadership development clinics; as well as the creation of a Speaker’s Collective aimed at providing support, promotion, and community for LGBTQ professionals of color. Also, he has accepted an invitation to teach at New York University within the Sports Management department in the fall of 2014.

Michael Jennings’ mission in life is to inspire audiences with heartfelt words that are based on his diverse life experiences and story telling. A former collegiate athlete, Michael has experienced the ups and downs of trying to achieve success on and off the field. He uses his life experiences to inspire and empower young people to accept and nurture their greatness through empowering others. He believes that everyone can achieve their dreams but many of us fall victim to our circumstances, fear, self-doubt and excuses.

Michael earned both his Masters Degree and Bachelors Degree from Texas A&M University. Where he was a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Football team. Currently, he is a College Advisor at George Washington High School. Michael is married to the very lovely LaRae Scott-Jennings and they reside in Denver, Colorado with their turtle, Spot.