What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing for ThisIsRnB
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No
How is social media changing news?
Social Media is the primary source for news for people in my age cohort. We tend not to watch legacy media as much as older generations.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Carrie Bradshaw
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a thought leader. To be able to report facts accurately and synthesize an opinion based on that information.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Via email or social media
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
my laptop, trello, slack
What's your favorite social network?
Instagram because it combines all the features of other social networks into one.
Who do you wish followed you?
Brandy and Marianne Williamson
Why did you become a journalist?
I came across a post on social media soliciting writers with little or no experience. I applied on a whim, and the rest is history.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My second article was about the singer Brandy. It went viral and she reposted it on her social media platforms which amplified its visibility
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Never be afraid to to try a new subject matter. When offered to write about food, I was clueless, but i rose to the occasion.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A story about the best way to open a ketchup packet. I giggled when i received it, but it ended up going viral. So, it sticks out to me.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I was pitched an artist that couldn't sing, but I was required to review them as if they could. Somehow I made it happen.
What's your favorite drink?
Sweet Iced Tea
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
In the gym
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Thatgrapejuice.net, Billboard, The Guardian, The Lever
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That every story I write is about my own experience with the subject matter. Sometimes, I draw on the stories of close friends and relatives
