23 April 2025 4 minute read
Kennedy Plummer, a proud Bay Area native and a present Spelman College student, is charting a course to make a significant impact in the worlds of law, sports, and community engagement. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and the the value of remaining true to oneself.
Even though the Bay Area and Spelman College sit on opposite coasts of the United States, they have both been instrumental in shaping Kennedy into the person she is today. Raised in the Bay Area, Kennedy was built on the essential principles of resilience, kindness, and integrity, which continue to guide her decisions. “Growing up in the Bay Area, values like resilience, thoughfulness, and integrity were all ingrained in me,” she shares. “Attending Spelman has allowed me to continue strengthening these factors. I love both communities equally and am so grateful for them to be key aspects of my life.”
Spelman College, specifically, provided Kennedy with an environment where she could stay true to who she really is. “I chose to attend Spelman because I fell in love with the sisterhood and the opportunity to authentically be myself in a space made for me,” she says. Kennedy’s connection to the college was made officialduring a summer program before her senior year of high school, which gave her direct insight into the dynamic energy of the campus. It was the start of a journey that would span a lifetime—one that would bring her close to a group of women who would become lasting friendships and invaluable mentors.
Kennedy’s aspirations are ingrained in her life experiences.
and her commitment to serving others. A pre-law student, she aims to fuse her interests in law, sports, and community service into a career that allows her to make a lasting impact.
“My identities as a Black woman, a student, and a community leader intersect with my professional passion of becoming a lawyer and going on to help communities in need,” Kennedy explains. This remarkable blend of identities is what fuels her drive to pursue a career where she can establish personal connections with others while serving them through legal means.
Kennedy’s love for sports, derived from her early life in the Bay Area, has become an essential part of her mission. “Sports are an integral part of our community,” she says. “I grew up watching them, and they were a space where community members could interact with their local teams. I wanted to merge that love for sports with my passion for serving others, especially through the lens of law.”
Kennedy’s journey is informed by the knowledge of mentors
who have shaped her path in the areas of law, sports, and community engagement. She notes that each mentor has equipped her with essential lessons that she has applied across all fields. And despite having mentors in distinct areas, she recognizes the the power of seeking wisdom from people with different experiences. “There’s no timeline to all that you can accomplish in life, and that’s something I’ve learned at Spelman,” she adds. This mindset has stimulated her to invest in gaining comprehensive knowledge and experience as possible, without rushing to define her career path.
Kennedy’s internship experiences convey her determination to reach her professional targets and her passion for community engagement. She is particularly excited about her upcoming internship with the Golden State Valkyries, an inaugural WNBA team, this summer. “It will allow me to pursue my passion for service within a space made for women,” Kennedy says. “With this being the Valkyries’ inaugural season, I’m honored to have the opportunity to lay the foundation for service and engage the community in the Bay Area.”
Her internship with the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability further cemented her enthusiasm for law and social justice reform. During her time there, she contributed to the drafting of a policy proposal addressing inadequate sexual assault protocols within the San Francisco Police Department. The policy proposal, which is currently in the process of being improved and applied, illustrates Kennedy’s determination to contribute meaningfully to systemic change.
Throughout her life, Kennedy has placed a premium on hard work and helping others. Her diverse range of jobs—from scooping ice cream to working in public service—has reinforced her understanding of leadership and the importance of serving others. “Every job has taught me that doing work that aligns with my passion for helping others is the most fulfilling,” she reflects.
Real community engagement, according to Kennedy, necessitates truly hearing people and connecting with them where they are. “It’s not just talking about an issue; it’s about being about the issue,” she says. This perspective has been further reinforced through her involvement in leadership roles at Spelman and her contributions to the community.
Kennedy’s proudest moment so far is securing a summer internship with the Golden State Warriors and the Golden State Valkyries. As a Bay Area native, she is thrilled to forge her own path and legacy in a community that has always been a cornerstone of her life.
Through her journey at Spelman, Kennedy has learned the power of deliberate action and commitment. “It’s crucial to be genuinely passionate about what you do,” she says, adding that this lesson has shaped both her personal and professional growth.
Kennedy’s future is bright, and her steadfast commitment to service and community development, and law will no doubt inspire countless others in the years to come. As she continues to grow, Kennedy will will unquestionably shape the future she imagines—a path where she serves her community through law, athletics, and purposeful engagement
In the words of Kennedy herself: “There is no rush to decide what you want to do in life. What matters most is that you stay true to your purpose, take risks, and always trust the process.”