Who Is Nessa Diab? All About Colin Kaepernick's Girlfriend

By Jason Bolton September 06, 2024 10:18

Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty

Not only has Nessa Diab earned her living as an influential media personality and activist, but she has also been the ever-loyal girlfriend of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. So together, they're a strong combination of social justice and activism. What follows is a closer look at who Nessa is, where she met Kaepernick, and just how significant of a part she has played alongside him.

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Background Information

Early Life and Education

Nessa Diab, of Egyptian descent, was born on 6 May 1981 in Southern California. She grew up moving around the country because of her dad's work in oil and spent a formative portion of time living abroad with her family, homeschooling out on migrant compounds. This provided her with a multicultural upbringing and an insight into diverse cultures and opinions. Nessa then moved to the University of California in Berkley and earned her degree there, specializing in mass communications.

Career Beginnings

The very beginning of Nessa's media career came when she started working at various radio stations as an intern. This eventually led to a gig hosting the "Nessa on Air" show for New York City hip-hop and R&B staple Hot 97. With her fun personality and probing interviews, she quickly became a radio sensation.

Colin Kaepernick Relationship

Nessa first met Kaepernick in 2015, and it was only in 2016 that the pair announced their relationship at a charity gala. But despite early speculation and backlash, notably regarding Kaepernick's ex-teammate Aldon Smith, the pair appears committed to their love.

Shared Values and Activism

Their connection is grounded in common values and a drive for social change. Nessa also helped connect Kaepernick to the figures and concepts guiding his activism, including introducing him to their joint project, Know Your Rights Camp. This initiative aims to empower Black and Brown communities with knowledge of self-esteem and contact with police officers.

Career Highlights

Radio and Television

She gained traction in her career as she acted as the host of "Girl Code," an all-female comedy series on MTV. The show's success parlayed into more work for her on MTV and VH1, where she hosted reunions of "Real World" casts as well as the long-running competition series "The Challenge." Hot 97 has been the foundation and center of her professional career, allowing Diab to remain on-air, where she commands attention.

Notable Projects

In addition to radio and television, Nessa is also working on other projects, which shows her versatility and dedication to social causes. In other instances, her commitment to intersectionality is as clear in play (for example, her work with Kaepernick on the Know Your Rights Camp).

Activism and Philanthropy

Social Justice Initiatives

Her advocacy goes beyond her association with Kaepernick. She has spoken out on social justice issues, spotlighting police brutality and systemic racism. For her, this commitment has been crystallized in public proclamations and programs to effect change.

Community Engagement

With the Know Your Rights Camp, Nessa and Kaepernick have made huge strides in empowering young people of color. The camp is designed to inform and involve young people in their own rights and seed self-empowerment tools for civic engagement.

Controversies and Challenges

Nessa has been mired in controversy for her beliefs and vocal support of Kaepernick's protests. Negotiating these obstacles has only served to further enshrine her as an activist and media figure.

All in all, Nessa Diab is more than Colin Kaepernick's girlfriend, she is a world-famous media personality, devoted activist, and emotional for community campaigners. As one-half of a high-profile couple, Nessa continues to change the world whenever she shows up to work.