What was your first job as a journalist?
My first job was reviewing albums and profiling members of the Atlanta business community for Atlanta-based publication Rolling Out.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
Social media is challenging today's news professionals and organizations to avoid hype and rumors, which are easily spread.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Raoul Duke
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means doing as much as possible to report factual information to an audience.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Sorry; I don't have one. You guys are persistent on this question though.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
MacBook Pro, Google, Sources, Coffee, Wine, Music, etc.
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Who do you wish followed you?
President Barack Obama
Why did you become a journalist?
I admire people who consider it their duty to investigate information in pursuit of fact.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did not. I was the drum major of my high school marching band.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I am most proud of writing the story about S.T.E.M. programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities for NewsOne.com.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Accept that you can make more money doing other things with your talent than the honorable work of pursuing facts. Decide if that's OK.
When's the best time to pitch you?
10:00am EST
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Hard to remember; good stuff comes into my inbox often.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I can't call it.
What's your favorite drink?
Iced coffee
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
In my kitchen
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Gawker, The New York Times, Slate, Politico, Creative Loafing Atlanta, etc.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
It's easy.
