In the latest episode of #OnTheGrind,  guest Brandi Hess breaks down how she is developing multimedia skills DIY style, her decision to  create her own platform by launching a self-love podcast, and what postgraduation life can look like. 

In the season two premiere of #OnTheGrind, Victoria sits down with WTTW Chicago correspondent and Chicago native Angel Idowu  to talk about her lifelong admiration for the arts, her latest media project, Art with Angel,  her growth as a storyteller, and how she is taking her arts coverage to new heights.

#OnTheGrind host Victoria Williams talks with National Association of Black Journalists Chicago Chapter president Brandon Pope about his career in journalism, how to make a lasting impression with potential hiring managers, and more in the podcast's debut episode. 

In the season finale of #OnTheGrind guest Alexis Howell shares how her decision to switch her major to journalism changed the course of her life.

#OnTheGrind host Victoria Williams chats with Cheyanne Daniels, a Report4America corps member working with at the Chicago Sun-Times, about her journey through graduate school, finding her voice as a journalist, and navigating the pandemic as a journalist.   Cheyanne M. Daniels reports for the Chicago Sun-Times, covering the city’s South and West Side neighborhoods. Originally from the south suburbs of Chicago, she earned her master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in 2021, specializing in politics, policy and foreign affairs reporting. As a grad student, Cheyanne reported on politics and policies affecting disenfranchised and minority communities, such as men incarcerated at Stateville Correctional Center and their response to the pandemic and vaccines. Her work has been published in theGrio, South Side Weekly and by UPI. Previously, she was a research scholar for the Journalism, Ethics and Democracy Institute at Notre Dame. Cheyanne  holds a bachelor’s in journalism from Naperville’s North Central College, where she served as news editor of The Chronicle and NCClinked, its online news site.

In this episode we discuss the toxicity of grind and/or hustle culture, finding work-life balance in news and burnout.

Photographer Vashon Jordan, Jr. breaks down how he was able to attend college in Chicago well below the national average and achieve career milestones.   From May to September 2020, 21-year-old independent photographer Vashon Jordan Jr. created a visual record of many demonstrations in Chicago. In more than 17,000 photographs, he documented local responses to racial injustices and police brutality across the country. He saw community activism in places unseen by major media that focused on destruction. He captured a youth-led social movement based on peace and joy during the COVID-19 pandemic summer.  By using disposable cameras while in elementary school, Jordan learned to value the moment to frame compositions and catch action. A camera allowed him to participate in events and emotionally process experiences. Determined to “be the change you want to see,” in high school, with a better camera, he voluntarily covered parades around the city and built an audience on social media. Although accepted by Columbia College, he attended more affordable Kennedy-King College and absorbed life lessons from diverse students. He became the first photography student intern for the Chicago Public Schools. Traveling by public transportation from his West Pullman home to the CPS office in the Loop, he saw the disparities between the neighborhoods and the sparkling downtown. Columbia College then granted him a full tuition scholarship for two years. After graduating in May 2020 in television production and directing, Jordan joined the Chicago Tribune as a photojournalism intern. He currently works as the Staff Photographer at JB for Governor, which is Governor Pritzker’s re-election campaign.  He has appeared many times on TV and podcasts. The Chicago History Museum acquired his photographs of the 2020 protests for its research center and collection and his work was included in an art exhibition at the Elmhurst Art Museum. 

Vice president of DePaul University's NABJ Chapter Tiffany Payton shares her challenges as a graduate student and what it is like to join DePaul University's NABJ chapter with #OnTheGrind podcast host Victoria Williams.   Tiffany Payton reports and writes for Good Day DePaul at DePaul University. Tiffany was born and raised in Chicago where she also received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She is a member of NABJ Chicago and the Chi Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As a current graduate student at DePaul, she will earn her Master’s degree in Journalism in June 2022. Currently, Tiffany serves as a Teaching Assistant to help other Journalism students with writing, editing, and job searches. Tiffany is also working alongside Judith McCray as a research scholar while expanding her role as Vice President of DePaul’s NABJ Chapter. 

Morning news anchor Sierra Search explains how she was able to navigate rejection while staying focused on her goals in the latest episode of #OnTheGrind. 

Copywriter Shada Cook shares her journey from J-School to life at a Black owned advertising agency.