You may have heard the name or seen the viral bun hairstyle but do you know Tashara Parker's story?  The self-proclaimed community-focused journalist has taken Dallas & the nation by storm w/her unapologetic, authentic style and unwavering commitment to advocating for Black people /Black hair.  On this episode, Tashara details the moment her hairstyle became the news, how she responds to criticism, the work that she's doing to continue shining light on Black hair/professionalism & her journalism career.

MSNBC Associate Producer Cora Cervantes' mission is to push for more diversity, equity & inclusion in newsrooms.  Cora's own story is one that many people in immigrant communities can relate to having to navigate the challenges of being undocumented. She credits several Black & Latina women in media for not only seeing her potential but also providing opportunities that propelled her career.

Born in Trinidad, Anthony Antione's mother moved to the U.S. to create a better life for her children. As a child Anthony knew he wanted to be a journalist & he was determined to make it happen.  He started his career behind the scenes as a part-time camera operator while working full-time as a sales rep. His weekends were also spent at the station shadowing reporters, learning how to shoot, write, edit. When a reporter opportunity came up, Anthony made sure his work ethic made him the clear choice.

After grinding it out in NYC as a weekend anchor/reporter for WNBC for 2 1/2 years, Jummy Olabanji was offered an opportunity in her hometown that she couldn’t refuse. She joined the NBC Washington D.C. Morning Team as Live Desk anchor/reporter in July 2019, now less than a year & a half later she’s preparing to take over as morning anchor on the station she grew up watching! On this episode, Jummy talks about her broadcast journey + the lessons along the way. *Episode was recorded before her promot

To say the last few months have been challenging, as journalists specifically as Black journalists, would be an understatement. From the coronavirus pandemic, to the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aurbery & others + the racial unrest that followed. Those stories hit us differently. In this episode, I talk to clinical psychologist Dr. Tasha Brown about: Coping with the trauma of covering these difficult stories, signs you need therapy, navigating toxic spaces & all things mental health

A young ambitious journalist, Jade held down several internships in college & landed her first TV job just months after graduation. Everything was going great... until it wasn’t. Jade was let go from her reporter job after only a few months. Just when she was about to give up on journalism, a call to interview for a program with a national network in NYC.  Through that tough period in her life, Jade created The Main Source Media to connect Christian storytellers through daily spiritual encouragement.

Midday Maryland host Elsa M left the TV business for seven years after feeling emotionally drained & burned out, she hit her breaking point with all the negativity of news and vowed never to go back to TV unless she was in the lifestyle hosting position she wanted. Elsa spent years doing other communications related work for Yelp and a non-profit connected to singer/songwriter Bono. It all led back to the position she was destined to be in, doing what she loves.

When Derrick Rose joined WISN Milwaukee’s news team, he was hired to help lead the investigative unit. He held down the *many* FOIA requests, intense research and hard work that goes into being a good investigative reporter, all while turning daily stories on a nightside schedule; then one day, he was called into the office with his news director & general manager.  His hard work paid off. Derrick was promoted to help launch and anchor a new 9pm newscast in addition to his investigative reporting duti

As a young girl, Emily Jones was fascinated with the Middle East & Jerusalem. Growing up in a Christian household, she noticed the stories she read in the Bible happened in the Middle East. Emily was introduced to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in college and though she didn’t want to be a journalist at first ; she gave it a shot anyway and fell in love with storytelling. At 22 years old Emily was offered the opportunity of a lifetime; to be an MMJ for CBN based in Jerusalem.

Nicki Mayo lives, sleeps & breaths #journolife. She’s worked as a TV & radio reporter, producer, writer, MMJ, social media consultant & journalism teacher. Like most journalists, her career has taken her to several cities and states; some great experiences others not-so-great, but all provided stepping stones and lessons along the way. Hear how she navigated the highs and lows in her journalism journey and the benefits & challenges of having to do it all.