Jaelani Turner-Williams
Verified
(She/Her)
As seen in:
Complex,
Apple Podcasts,
Medium,
MSN,
Yahoo Entertainment,
Yahoo Life,
Business Insider,
Yahoo Canada,
Yahoo News Malaysia,
Yahoo News New Zealand,
Aol
and
Covers:
She covers music, literature, film and television, design, fashion, beauty, and pop culture. She also specializes in features, interviews, liner notes, album bios and special projects.
culture writer + editor + host/producer jaelanitw@gmail.com insta/TikTok: jaelaniverse
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Freelance, but mainly writing for Columbus publication (614).
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No.
How is social media changing news?
By keeping everyone engaged and in the conversation.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Sunny Curtis from 'The Final Revival of Opal
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Loving what you do and never giving up on it.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Via email.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Google Docs, Asana, Monday, Wordpress, Zoom, Google Meet.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter.
Who do you wish followed you?
Issa Rae.
Why did you become a journalist?
Because I'm a curious and conversational person.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes. I was a writer.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
This year, I was most proud to do my first story on a film premiere for Okayplayer.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Stay motivated and grateful.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Whenever!
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A pitch to interview Tinashe. She's already one of my favorite artists.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Can't think of one.
What's your favorite drink?
Water.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Reading a book or going to a local festival or market.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Right now, Teen Vogue.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I only write about music.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.