Linnell Jones-Mckenney

Born and raised in Flint, Linnell Jones-Mckenney is the Program Director of The Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village (SBEV), a community center on the north side of Flint offering academic and athletic programs to underserved, at-risk youth. Since the tender age of 8, it was McKenney’s dream to play professional basketball, at a time when there were no women’s professional sports. A two-sport athlete throughout high school, McKenney was the first female to play on an all-boys basketball team, starting a Traveling All Stars Women’s Basketball Team soon after. Making the 1980 Olympics, McKenney would progress to become the first female to be drafted from Flint, as the WBL Professional Basketball League 1st round 4th pick. She is also a 5 Time All Star in Italy, 3 Time Most Valuable Player in European Cup Championship, Won the European National Cup, Won an Italian National Title, and was inducted into the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.