Black Girls are Betting on Us

Source: Daijha Thompson

Disclaimer: This post is not going to follow the structure of my other posts.

I know it has only been a few days since my last blog post, but I feel this one is necessary. After attending the National Association of Black Journalists’ Panel on “Being Black in the Media” with Kelley Carter, ESPN senior entertainment reporter, Darren Haynes, WUSA sports director and anchor, and Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight host and CNN contributor, I felt that I had to write about the event, the topics covered by the panelists and how real everything felt as they were talking. I have attended many guest lectures and talks, but I have never left a room feeling as inspired as I did leaving the Hergenhan Auditorium at Newhouse School.

First, I want to begin by simply saying it’s a struggle. That was the most common phrase I heard during the event, from the panelists and audience alike. Being Black in the media IS A STRUGGLE. You are constantly faced with microaggressions, discrimination, lower wages, lack of respect from your peers and management and sometimes just blatant racism. So, no, it is NOT easy being Black in communications. And as I say this, I know many people are gasping and clutching their pearls because of the realism and candidness of the statement, yet it’s true. But, while we face the bitter truth that being Black in the media is not easy, we also embrace the unique position that we have as Black people, especially Black women, in communications. We have the power to change narratives and teach people about TRUE Black culture and what it means to be Black. Having diversity in a newsroom, or in an organization as a whole, allows space, no matter how big or small, for us to give input and feedback on ideas that then leads to the creation of content that is truly reflective of those in the audience. So, while it may be hard to push past the hardships and remain focused on the legacy that we will leave behind, it is so worth it because we will blaze a trail for those who come after us and give those watching us an example to look up to.

Source: Samantha Krieger

For today’s post, instead of giving you my own personal advice, I am going to pull from the advice that was given to me by Kelley Carter and Nischelle Turner. When asked what each panelist believes he or she brings to the table at their respective organizations, Carter responded, “I bring myself to the table,” and all the other panelists agreed. As African-American communicators and professionals, especially African-American women in communications, we have a unique perspective and outlook on life that other people don’t have. We have access to information and experiences we can then use to fill in the holes that no one else can fill. We are able to give an unparalleled point of view on issues and topics that no one else can give because they haven’t walked in our shoes. So, my first piece of advice is to always bring yourself to the table without hesitation or question because you, in your experiences and identity alone, have the power to tell stories and offer perspectives that no one else can, so own it.

My second piece of advice is to be and show your authentic self. No, everyone is not going to always accept that authentic, real version of you. And no, you won’t always be able to control what others say or think about you. But, as Turner said during the event, you have to make a decision within yourself to one day say, “I’m am going to be me no matter what” and free yourself from the pressure of being someone that you are not. You don’t have mirror someone else or put on a façade to make it in the industry because you think that you will be better received. All you have to do is believe in yourself and know that your identity and experiences are what make you so unique. Turner and Haynes both agreed that one of the most freeing and liberating things in life is simply being able to be your authentic self.

My last piece of advice is a simple three-word phrase that Turner said during the panel: bet on yourself. Paired with the first piece of advice and the advice from my last post, “Black Girls are Becoming,” know your worth and know that you are worth betting on. When I was younger, my mother would always say, “You should always be your biggest cheerleader. Even if no one else is clapping for you, YOU clap for you.” Know that your experiences, education, skills and talents are worth more than what anyone could ever put a price tag on, and you shouldn’t accept anything less than what you know you deserve. Sometimes hard decisions will come, and you will have to choose between what is best for you and what is best for your wallet, and that is when your faith in yourself has to kick in and tell you that you have to do what’s best for YOU. I tell people all the time, “I love people, and I love what I do, but I love myself enough to walk away from anything that is not benefitting me as a person.” Know that you are worth betting on, and even if no one else bets on you, bet on yourself.

Source: University of Missouri and The Undefeated

For today’s post, because it is so special, I have decided to have two people of inspiration because they both inspired me. Nischelle Turner is an Emmy award-winning correspondent, fill-in host and weekend co-host for Entertainment Tonight. She is also an award-winning journalist and CNN contributor who offers her voice and point of view to entertainment and political news. Furthermore, Kelley Carter is an Emmy-winning journalist who has worked for media outlets, such as USA Today, Vibe, BuzzFeed, ESPN, the Chicago Tribune and so much more. Over the course of her career, Carter has interviewed many celebrities, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry and Taraji P. Henson. The achievements and accolades of both of these women are a mile long, filled with fun and interesting experiences. But after hearing them both speak to Newhouse students, it is evident that their experiences on and off the camera are not what shaped them, but their experiences as Black women that gave them the greatest capacity to succeed. Both women have had to push past adversity and stereotypes to build the reputations that they have, but they did so with grace, dignity and without losing the essence of they are. I look to these two women as an inspiration of not only someone I would like to be like professionally, but who I want to be as a Black woman: confident, educated, adventurous, and not accepting anything less than what I deserve.

#BeingBlackintheMedia #NABJ #BetOnYourself #BlackProfessionals