In the smoky, testosterone-heavy rooms of high-stakes poker, women are still the rare exception. Black women? Even more so. And queer Black women at the top tables? Practically unheard of. Until Ebony Kenney came along.
In a world where women are constantly underestimated and stereotyped, Kenney is changing the narrative. As the face of bold representation, she’s rewriting the script for what poker success can look like. She doesn’t just play to win. She plays to be seen. To be heard. And to prove that there’s space for Black girl magic and queer pride in the elite corners of this male-dominated game.
According to Business Insider, women still only make up a sliver of competitive poker, often facing “locker-room” assumptions and being coached to downplay their looks or confidence to fit in. Ebony Kenney doesn’t do that. She wears stilettos, hoops, and her identity with pride because why should she shrink to play a man’s game?
Ebony’s Early Life: From Hustle to Healing
Born in Austin in 1978, Ebony Kenney didn’t grow up thinking poker would be her calling. She’s spoken openly about her early struggles. Being a young single mom.
Navigating challenges. Chasing survival. Her twenties were marked by reinvention. By day, she worked in the beauty and wellness world as a makeup artist and model. But she was also diving deep into personal growth, mixing hustle with healing.
The game of poker came into her life during that era, not just as a job, but as a mirror. It reflected her strength, tested her resilience, and gave her a new kind of agency. In her own words, poker became “a personal development tool.” It wasn’t just about chips and cards. It was about mindset. Boundaries. Power.
Poker Career: Finding Her Voice at the Table
Ebony’s journey into poker wasn’t overnight. But once she stepped in, she claimed space. Her charisma and unfiltered confidence made her a natural on the felt. But it was her work ethic and mental sharpness that elevated her from casual player to professional.
Her game matured alongside her public voice. As a content creator, speaker, and poker pro, she carved out a lane that few dared to walk. That same courage led to her becoming a key ambassador for Americas Cardroom, one of the world’s leading online poker platforms. Since 2001, the site has become known for its star-studded ambassadors, which include the likes of poker icon Chris Moneymaker. With that platform behind her, Ebony gained access to bigger tournaments, wider audiences, and more visibility than ever.
Her presence wasn’t just notable. It was historic.
The Highs: Record-Breaking Wins and Global Fame
In 2022, Ebony Kenney made headlines around the world. Competing at the high-profile Coin Rivet Invitational tournament, she stunned the poker world by finishing 5th and earning a jaw-dropping $1.7 million. That payday didn’t just make her one of the winningest women in poker history. It shattered stereotypes.
A few years later, she secured another massive score in the 2025 Venom Mystery Bounty, pulling a six-figure prize in one of online poker’s most thrilling formats. In both cases, she showed up loud, vibrant, and fully herself, whether she was live-streamed in glam or celebrating a big win with full-body joy.
For Ebony, the victories were never just about the money. They were about proving what’s possible when you bring your whole self to the table.
Credit: @ebonykenney on Instagram
Poker in Heels: Femininity, Identity, and Radical Presence
What makes Ebony Kenney such a force isn’t just her game. It’s her energy.
She’s a Black queer woman who doesn’t water down any part of who she is. On international stages, she brings not only strategy and skill, but also unapologetic authenticity.
She rocks curly wigs, bold prints, and nails done to perfection. She talks about pleasure, self-worth, and emotional literacy. Things rarely heard in poker interviews. For her, visibility isn’t a side effect of success. It’s part of the mission. When little Black girls or queer youth see her on YouTube, in interviews, or crushing tables, they see proof that power doesn’t have to conform.
Looking Ahead: Pop Culture, Documentaries, and What’s Next
Ebony’s story is bigger than poker now. She’s already stepped into the pop culture space, becoming a voice for transformation, intuition, and liberation. That momentum earned her a three-part YouTube documentary following her historic Triton series run. An intimate look at the wins, losses, and emotional layers of being a Black woman in an elite poker space.
It’s a treatment rarely given to poker pros, especially women of color. But Ebony’s journey resonates beyond the cards. She’s part of a wave of cultural storytelling, much like the legacy of actress Juanita Moore, whose own life is being reframed through a modern lens.
For Ebony, the future might hold more championship bracelets. Maybe a memoir. Maybe a talk show. But whatever comes next, you can count on it being raw, real, and revolutionary.
More Than a Poker Star
Ebony Kenney didn’t just break into poker’s upper tier. She built her own table. And in doing so, she created space for others to do the same.
Her story isn’t just about the game. It’s about power reclaimed, identity honored, and narratives rewritten. For Black women watching from the sidelines or shuffling up themselves, Ebony is more than a role model. She’s proof that the game can evolve.
She’s not just playing cards. She’s changing the culture.
If you’d like to celebrate more of Black culture, visit the rest of the FEMI site here.
Images Credit: @ebonykenney on Instagram
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