By 2UrbanGirls
Contributing Writer
CULVER CITY — Nicole Lynn made history when she became the first African-American female sports agent to represent a top draft pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
Lynn has now added best-selling author to her resumé, with her new book, “Agent You,” becoming an instant success.
Lynn’s book focuses on her upbringing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, navigating life while living in extreme poverty, and ultimately living in her “purpose” which is the foundation of the book.
Lynn is currently on a book tour, which brought her to Malik’s Books recently, where she spoke to a standing room only crowd that listened to her discuss her journey and the importance of living in your purpose.
“‘Agent You’ is not about how to become a sports agent, but how to be your own agent, how to advocate for yourself and how to unapologetically live in your purpose,” Lynn told her audience.
She began her career as an attorney at a Top 20 law firm, then moved into being a sports agent.
“Every person has a ‘Hail Mary’ in their personal or professional life, for me it was leaving my job on Wall Street, which I realized was not my purpose,” Lynn said. “When you tell people you want to leave a six-figure job, its equivalent to saying ‘I want to be a rapper.’”
Lynn speaks openly about what she describes as living in a “trap house” in Tulsa that had no running water, no heat and little to no food.
“The system failed us because everyone knew how we were living and no one came to save us,” Lynn said.
Her upbringing motivated her to excel in school and go to college to become a lawyer.
“I was initially with Young Money APAA Sports Agency, which is owned by Little Wayne, then made a business decision to move to Klutch Sports,” Lynn said. “Young Money was very supportive and we remain friends.”
Lynn is now head of football operations with Klutch and also announced she is in development for a TV series based on her life with Starz.
“You must make an intentional decision to be your authentic self,” she said.
Lynn inspired many of her readers to travel quite a distance to get their opportunity to meet her and ask questions, with many of the questions centering around sports.
“You have to ask yourself do you want to be an agent or work with athletes,” Lynn said. “Because what you don’t know is every dollar spent to attract and sign a client comes from my own pocket and if they aren’t drafted, I don’t get that money back.”
Kaleo Leopoldo, 35, drove eight hours from Phoenix to attend the book signing and said Lynn’s book inspired him to jump in his car and come to Los Angeles.
“The introduction said ‘you need to find a purpose and I hope this statement shakes you to your core,’” Leopoldo said. “I started to ask myself: what is my purpose, what is life?”
Leopoldo said he learned about “Agent You” because it was No. 1 on Amazon’s list.
“I follow her on social media and as I watch her I used to dream of being a sports agent, then found out I really don’t,” said Raigan Burney, 22. “She inspires me because she’s a successful Black woman in the sports industry.”
Mia Davis, 19, also made a journey to Los Angeles with her mother and sister to attend the late evening book signing.
“I am a student athlete in Las Vegas and it’s hard for players to get to the professional level and she gets them there,” Davis said. “I’m aspiring to be an attorney, and or agent myself, and she is a great representation of how to be a woman in this male dominated industry.”
Malik Books is owned by Malik and April Muhammad, who were excited to bring back their in-person book signings, which came to a halt when the COVID pandemic forced businesses to reduce their hours.
“We definitely were mindful about ensuring COVID protocols were adhered to and followed by everyone attending, as book signing events are a major part of our industry and marketing,” Malik Muhammad said.
“Agent You” can be found on Amazon.com and wherever books are sold.
2 Urban Girls is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers the Compton and Inglewood areas. She can be reached at 2urbangirls@gmail.com.
