Don't Mess with a Journo's Reporter Pad..

Recently I had an interesting experience which made me question "How am i perceived as a young journalist." While interviewing a source for a story i am currently writing, the interviewee/PR contact took it upon herself to snatch my reporters pad out of my hand as i was taking notes! Yes she literally reached over from where she was sitting, about 5ft from me, and took my pad out of my hand in mid stroke of my pen. Needless to say, i was very offended. And after this episode occurred i began to evaluate her actions and mannerisms toward me. I would notice how she was quick to dictate who i was and was not going to interview. She would interject into conversations while i was talking with other sources. She would make noise while i was recording. And worst she started telling me what i need, or shall i say: "what you will put in your article is this..." Now her actions could be just part of her character, however something tells me that my juvenile appearance played a major role. During one of many conversations with this woman, she asked how old i was, and i told her--i have no need to hide my age just to get respect as an established journalist. My time will come, and my qualifications will show through how i handle each story. She also kept making comments like, "I'm old enough to be your mother," or "Awww your little pad is too cute."
I must say i didn't let this behavior continue, After 2xs taking my pad, and several xs of telling me who i would and would not interview, i became very assertive and even had to tell her not to speak while i interview others.

My main concern, other than being utterly annoyed, was not this woman's words, but her perception on how well she thinks i can do my job, and more so, how that conflicts with me actually doing my job. I wonder, no i am more than positive that she would not have done all of those things if i were a veteran in the game. So why do people try to overpower and control unseasoned professionals? I think its a psychological thing, a sense of entitlement, a want for control. If its one thing i've learned thus far is how to be assertive in this industry. Assertive when trying to contact a source, assertive to pitch story ideas, assertive to get ahead, and assertive to establish yourself as one to be respected. "POWER TO MY JOURNOS" KEEP BEING ASSERTIVE!

Emotional Healing

It's an interesting thing how life works and how people handling things in different way. I call myself a writer, (but havent written much in about 2-3 months). When i was younger i would write all the time, mostly about my emotions-- family issues, friendship issues, relationship issues, personal issues, etc. Whenever i felt hurt or confused or out of touch with things going on in life i would write. In retrospect, when i go to read my old journals (all four of them), i can only read about the depressing times. I have no entries about the positive events that happened growing up. There is nothing in my journals about hanging with friends, going to parties, going on vacation, etc.--and i did have a lot of fun times, especially in High School. Neway, when i decided to major in journalism it was because i loved to write. I figured that if writing was my escape from life then why not make it a career. Yet, the only times words flow from my mind to paper with ease is if i am going through something in life. If everything is fine and i am happy i do not write. And i think this is the reason why i have not been successful in my ambitious plan to become a journalist. I have to live, eat, and breathe the industry. I can not only turn to writing when things are not going well for me. I have to write everyday because its apart of me. The most interesting thing about this reflection is that just recently i had my heart broken but when i sat down to write about my emotions nothing came out. It was like i had writer's block or an emotional blockage that wouldn't allow myself to write about how i was/am feeling. I wanted so badly to write a poem or blog entry expressing the hurt and confusion being felt. And when i couldn't, i began to think "Maybe i am not a writer." But about half way through this blog entry i am starting to think that i am in need of a "writer's makeover." Its time for me to take my emotional healing process (writing) and allow it to move others, allow it to tell the emotional journeys of others, and not just of myself. I think i am back on the grind! ; )

6 degrees of Separation...

Could this be true? Danielle has found a profound purpose to social-networking sites like Facebook! (Ok, so the third person reference is a bit much). Yet, since graduating a year ago, my feelings on the whole social networking thing has been capricious. Not to say i am/was against it, but having to see "social networking" listed as a required qualification for jobs became too much. However, the benefits of having Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter accounts have become quite apparent. I applied for an editorial assistant position at one of the most notable African-American women's lifestyle magazine. After sending my materials via email to HR, i decided to go on Facebook and message a couple of Editors at the publication. As i searched for each editor and reached out to them, i wondered how they would determine whether or not to reply and "be-friend" me or just delete my message as if it was spam. It then came to me-I have friends on Facebook that are editors and reporters for magazines, newspapers and news-sites. Taken into consideration the "six degrees of separation" concept, 9 times out of 10 we have common friends. Meaning, if the editors see my message, they can click on our common friends and see that i have good connections in Chicago...which ultimately may land me the J.O.B! So there you have it, i have found a reason to login in, "be-friend," "tweet," and electronically networking my little heart out!

Is blogging Meaningful????

Greetings all,

It's been a while since i've posted anything, and i do apologize. What usually follows the apology is something like "Ive just been so busy working, traveling, etc. that i haven't had the time." But for me the truth is for a while i did not feel i had anything to write about. See i first created this blog out of frustration and having too much time on my hands. Many of my journalists mentors advised me to start a blog and "Just Write." However, as i started to just write i also began to read other blogs on this server and started to think "Is blogging meaningful?" Essentially, blogging is like a personal journal, you can write whatever it is your thinking, feeling, and/or observing. Yet, sometimes i think who cares? I've always keep journals since the fifth grade, but those are personal thoughts, those are emotions, concerns and life experiences that i wrote down for self fulfillment and future reflection. Now that a small "things to remember" notebook has been transformed into an electronic trend, it feels as if journalling has become a distant disconnect of self. I try to add a journalistic flare to my post, in hopes that this will separate "Post-Grad Review" from million of other blogs. But sometimes its just good to write, write about whatever your feeling and thinking, regardless of if its New York Times worthy. So is blogging meaningful? I guess it is to the person writing. And i guess in actuality that's all that matters huh?...I feel much better : )

The FLip Side:: what Publishers Want You to Know

I came across this article on a site called Ed2010.com, Ed is a mysterious editor in New York who gives heads-up on jobs in the magazine industry. He also gives us aspiring editors advice on this tight roped industry. In his latest blog post, Ed got Jayne Jamison, Vice President and Publisher of Seventeen, to speak up about what publications are looking for in good canidates. So to all my fellow magers read CAREFULLY.


What should junior editors know about the publishing side of magazines?
It’s important to know how other people perceive your magazine. Hard to believe, but not everyone shares your view! I also think it’s great for editors to understand what the advertisers think of the magazine and what challenges the ad/sales people face (just ask ‘em!). Editors should also know who the competitors are and keep the ad/sales side abreast of trends.

What is your best piece of advice for recent graduates?
It’s an extremely tight job market, so maybe your first job won’t be your dream job, but take it anyway. It’s always easier to get a job once you’ve had one. Working at a smaller publication will give you greater experiences and challenges anyway! You’ll be exposed to more on a day-to-day basis [than you would at a bigger magazine].

What do you think junior editors should do more of?
Show an interest in the business side. Editors who ask ad/sales people questions, like what do the advertisers think of the magazine, why do we (or don’t we) have a particular advertiser in the magazine, and how is the magazine is sold, are the most well-rounded. Seek out a salesperson at your magazine and start asking questions!

How is a publisher different from an EIC?
The editor-in-chief’s responsibility is bringing in readers and keeping them satisfied with innovative content; my role is to bring in advertisers by proving the importance of our market in building brand loyalty and selling the advertiser’s products. Both jobs are very demanding, and include managing, motivating, and training a large staff. It’s important for me to maintain editorial integrity and balance the separation between church and state, and it’s important for our editor-in-chief to speak passionately about our audience to advertisers.

What do you wish you had when you were first starting out?
I wish I had the confidence that I have now. I always thought everyone else was smarter than me, which lead me to work twice as hard. So my insecurity paid off! Also, don’t confuse style with substance.

Last bit of wisdom?
If you’re organized and efficient, you can have it all: a great career and a great family.

TechnoOveRLoAD...

So random thought....

After a year of shoulder shrugs and protesting on behalf of insignificant purpose, I finally joined Twitter--Username: Nicki_elle86, profile pic, followers...the whole nine yards! But as i registered my email address to yet another social networking site, it annoyed me that my final decision to join came down to the fact that numerous job applications require someone who is familuar and active with social networking sites. I have no problem with joining these sites, however to have them listed as part of the qualifications for a job is a tad bit ridiculous in my opinion. Mainstream media takes something that comes natural to our generation and creates a kind of frenzy so that you feel obligated to be involved. They strip away all likeness, freedom and fun from these leisure activities, and turn them into qualifications and requirements for jobs. When i interned at ABC7 about two years ago, I was asked to research several known, as well as unknown, social networking sites and compile a list of what each are good for. Interesting enough, one of the "unknown" sites was Twitter.com. At the time I thought to myself, "this is pointless," yet as i went on to graduate from college and apply for jobs, that list became my main source of reference to social-networking.  But what about my REAL qualifications? What about my four years of college experience, in which I have a $40,000 piece of paper as prove? What about my communication skills and ability to learn quickly? All of these are good, but in the world of "New Journalism," they look for more. Publications are looking for people who know how to navigate technology--blog, web design, and now social networking. I mean as if facebook wasn't enough?

All i am trying to say is why does it matter if I have Facebook or Twitter or Linkedin accounts? Shouldn't my passion of the
industry be enough?...

A Thought to all my postgrad readers:

As I read various political blogs and articles sent through my youngblackjournalists group server, I have noticed a trend in stories. Roughly, each week there is a story and/or illustration of some sort about some racist act. I can't even go in chronological order because they come in lighting speed, but to reference a few: the Greenwich village "Negro Cookie," the display in Borders bookstores of President Obama's picture next to a picture of a monkey, (not to mention the various racially implied images of our President throughout his campaign trail), and most recently, the picture of the White house with rows of watermelon on the lawn that was sent in email by the mayor of a small town in CA to all his committee chairmen. What tends to strike a chord with me most is each individuals response once the action has hit news waves and blogs: "I was unaware." Then of course a highly publicized apology follows in the days to come. But "I was unaware" seems to be the escape goat for everyone. "I was unaware that making monkey cookies and calling them "Negro Cookies" was offensive," "I was unaware that sending a picture of watermelons on the White House's lawn, (a  lawn that slaves plowed and labored over), was offensive," and "I was unaware that placing a picture of our President next to a picture of a monkey would stir some controversy among blacks." COME ON! This is 2009. Claiming to be oblivious to black stereotypes is not an okay defense in my opinion, excuse my french, but damn that!. I am sure there are few Blacks who "truly" believe racism has come to a lulling halt.  A Black president being in office does not garner ANY truth to that statement. And "I was unaware" should not be acceptable. In this millennium racism still exists in full form, it's just acted out differently. It's a much more cowardly act--witty emails and subliminal comments, backed up by "I was unaware." I'm not buying it...

Baracking...

I came across this article in an email...


ALBANY — What up, my Obama?

In the hallways of Albany High School, that is the new hello.

If you sneeze, your friends at Albany High might say "Barack you." Goofing off in the hallway? "Barack's in the White House now" means cool it.

Presidents usually don't earn a blip on the radar of teenage American hipness. But Barack Obama's rise to the White House already has changed the way young people talk to one another. Creatively riffing on the unusual name — Baracking — is a natural progression of Obama's prominent spot in pop culture.

Along with simple phonetics, it's symbolic of young people's admiration, said Deborah Tannen, a linguistics professor at Georgetown University.

"It sounds like they are transferring their positive feelings about the person to new contexts," she said.

Obama's place in slang also is a sign that he and his ideas are becoming a part of the daily life of young Americans with a newly developed interest in politics, said Donald Hernandez, sociology department chairman at the University at Albany.

Ocasio Willson, an Albany senior, said Obama has made it cool among young people to be smart again.

He paused to sing a line from Young Jeezy's "My President Is Black" and then said it's not surprising young people use the president's name in entirely new contexts.

"It's a way to express their excitement and their happiness that an African-American is in office," he said.

Isaiah Williams was in the school's college center recently when he heard one student trying to convince another to get something out of his locker. The line of argument to motivate his friend to make the extra effort for class was easy to get: "Barack did it."

Williams said his senior classmates are drawn to Obama's triumph over the odds. A group of his friends started dressing differently on Election Day, he said, because of the president. They switched from baggy clothes to button-down shirts and dress shoes.

"Because he made it as president," Williams said, "it's almost as if anything can happen."

A Black Filmmaker's Gaze: Donald A.C Conley

Up-in-coming filmmaker/writer/poet/actor Donald A.C. Conley views the world through an artistic gaze. His experiences as a postgraduate, living in New York City serve as creative platforms for short stories, skits, and characters—including the delusional Hip-Hop/R&B artist Silky Smooth McNasty, (who is featured below). At 22, Donald lives in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where he strenuously pursues his film making career in hopes of someday seeing his name on the big screen. His short narrative “Underbelly,”—a film about a shut out high schooler and a heroin addicted prostitute bonding through their love of art, has already garnered local attention. The universal artist spoke with the Post-Grad Review about his film “Underbelly,” and his artistic gaze as a rising Black filmmaker in the industry.

~DnH~ For those of us who do not know what it takes to make a film, what is the process of shooting a film and the major steps to finalizing it?

D.C: First it begins with an idea, a story. You have to start pulling things together: getting people to participate who are interested and want to help. You need money and equipment. And a schedule needs to be put in place. Then sound, editing, re-shoots, etc…

~DnH~ What does the title of your short narrative “Underbelly” mean?

D.C: Underbelly wasn’t supposed to be the real name of the film, it really never evolved past underbelly…But it’s a term that really means the discarded portions on the bottom of the pot, which is pretty much always considered garbage. After you’ve gone through the good parts of the food you scrape it away and that represents a certain community in big cities that I feel like a lot of people consider to be the scarred portion of the pot. Not much process is being made to evolve these people. They’re pretty much considered to be taking out the garbage in my book. So I thought of Underbelly and I just tagged it on as the short term name for it, and I was going to go on to a better name, but once people started hearing about the film, the title just got tossed around so much it didn’t make sense to change it.

~DnH~ Tell me about Donald A.C. Conley growing up?

D.C: Well, I wanted to be a doctor. But I think all kids say they want to be either a doctor or lawyer or firemen. After that I really always wanted to be a teacher in all honesty. But I was also good in the arts, and I've always acted in little things like school plays and church plays here and there, but when I got into HS and I really got into acting in the school plays and on the speech team, I found that I really really liked acting. When it came time to go to college I didn’t want to pay so much money on only acting, I wanted to do something technical, so I thought about film making and a teacher of mine, Mr. Tally, was like film making is a good way to give you a hedge-way into acting if its really what I wanted to do. It's a technical art.

~DnH~ There are common tropes in your film "Underbelly" that suggests you are an African-American director, what type of artistic gaze do you have working as a Black filmmaker in the industry?

D.C: You know what, you do feel like you have obligations. I think that’s the problem with filmmakers that come from minority and ethnic groups, it's that your trying to surf around within your art but you also have everyone from your community—Friends family, constantly talking about 'Oh how we don’t have positive images,' and 'I would like to see this and I would like to see that.' At the end of the day you have an audience. Unfortunately for some [Black filmmakers] more than others, the scope of the audience gets a little limited. What I'm trying to say is I guess for the first couple of pictures ill probably be trying to depict my [Black] audience in a manner that really should alert other people standing on the outside looking in, and let them know about the issues that are going on. After that I would hope i'll get to have a little flexibility.

~DnH~ So you feel limited as a Black Filmmaker if you're not portraying certain type of movies; that your films may not get the credit they deserve?

D.C: I mean yeah…its very true, I mean I do tend to feel limited. On one hand, you walk into an office and you throw something on the desk for an executive and he’s hoping you’re giving him some clownery, cuz unfortunately black audiences view more clownery than they do films that really depict them as positive people. And that’s what the executives want. And it becomes limited. Once the [executives] start reading the work, and it becomes a positive work, now they are stuck with this alternative: 'Do I want to put realness on the screen and face maybe a financial failure?' Or 'should I keep my eyes on the prize winnings and at the end of the day i'll still be making films?' I just want my name to be said and I just want people to see I'm here. I want to be one of those directors you see on the screen and you see my name tagged along with it and it’s a must see [movie]. But I'm not intend in shoving garbage down the throats of my viewers.

~DnH~ So what’s next for the 22-year-old univerisal artist?

D.C: Hopefully the next level, getting “Underbelly” recognized and entered into some festivals and getting my name out there, and hopefully pulling an agent that has belief in my work. Outside of that trying to do bigger things and longer things.

~DnH~

A Writer's Flow by: Danielle Hester

My Thoughts transcend

Into words and verbs of

Conjunctions and Prepositions

Phrases of Prepositions

Building intensifiers of

Subjects, objects,

Nouns, pronouns

They are rhythmic patterns that tell a story

Alphabetical, grammatical formats

Encoded words

Turned flowy prose

Storing thoughts once lingered in my membrane

Now transcribed onto a ghostly canvass remain

Expressions of inquisitive questions

Linking issues of race, poverty, gender, and all the "isms"

If they only knew how deep my thoughts transcended

First from the crescent of my pupil--Sights and observations

Marinating in  my frontal lob

Concocting interrogative words and phrases of 

How, why, when and what was?

Then lethally searching for answers in the realms of

History's wound

I write my thoughts

I thought my words

I am what they say

Combinations of oral reflections and sought out truth

Read them

Understand them

Critique me

Question me

Transcend above me

"Medea Goes to Jail" Catapults Perry's Feature Film Career

I think it is safe to say--if it hasn't been said already-- that Tyler Perry has hit the big time. On its opening weekend "Medea Goes to Jail" brought in an estimate $41.1 million, (nearly double what his first Madea feature-"Diary of a Mad Black Woman" earned its opening weekend four years ago). Now critics are saying the film's strong opening could garner a broader viewership beyond the Black community. The coined "chitlin circuit theater" DVD comedies, purchased on bootleg usually by a man selling them at the local chicken shack, and watched and discussed in the realms of the black home, could now be integrated into the homes of White families. I'm not really sure how to feel about that (ha ha). Although this serves as tremendous news for beloved Perry, it also feels as if a sacred part of Black culture is once again being stripped from us, (I know, I know, I'm getting to deep over a character that is essentially a man dressed in drag), but it does leave for food of thought--What will become of Madea once she assimilates?

Nevertheless, although I have yet to see the film, I have much respect for Tyler Perry for taking his dream and intensifing it to this level. Perry recently appeared on Larry King Live--word is that Perry wants to evidently own a cable network.

R.I.P Travis...

It is western culture to naturally cling to and adopt pets as part of the family--dogs and cats being the top two. Lets face it, us westerns love our pets just a much as we love our mothers, fathers, siblings and children. In my household our dog Shadow, a 70 lb Germaine Shepard mixed with Lab  is the center of attention. My mother talks to him all the time, asking him questions like "how is mommy's baby?," as if he is supposed to answer--( ok, ok, I am slightly guilty of it too). However, there is a very fine line between "house pet" and "wild animal." Which brings me to the point of this post. In the beginning of the week an elderly woman living in Stamford, CT faced what I would call "one of the most terrifying days of her life." This woman, whose name I do not know, was the proud "pet" owner of a 14-year-old, 200 lb Chimpanezz named Travis. She raised the domesticated chimp from a baby and entered him in numerous television commercials and movies. He was even known in the community. One neighbor commented that it was usual routine to see the lady and Travis taking walks and driving together.  

Yet, earlier this week Travis' innate barbarian nature kicked in. According to reports, Travis wanted to go for a drive. After being told no by his owner, Travis took the car keys and attempted to leave by himself. Now after this the details become a bit construe, but essentially, the woman calls a friend to come over and help tame Travis. When the woman gets to the house, Travis brutally attacked her, (resulting in her hospitalization and leaving her with no eyes, no nose, and half a jaw). From there, the lady proceeds to call the police. A team of policemen come to the house and end up shooting Travis down due to his dangerously violent rampage. A couple of days later reports claim the woman had giving her chimp Xanax to help calm him down.  And as the days pass, more and more information reveal that this is not the first time Travis has shown signs of aggressive behavior. 

Experts say it is not uncommon for people to "foster" baby chimps. However, due to their natural aggressive behavior, it is highly suggested giving them up at 5-6 years of age--Travis was 14-years-old and 200 lbs. Why in the world would someone want to sleep with an aggressive 200 lb animal in their home? It is in good intention that people take in pets and care for them. Yet, sometimes our good intentions end up hindering the natural order of things. In this case, one woman's neglectfulness to obey the law cost the life of Travis and mutually scared a good friend. CHeck out the story by clicking on the link below. Its crazy!

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6901843

"Drunken Negro Cookies"

We take one step forward, only to take three steps back.

That's what it seems like after watching this story about a pastry shop in Greenwich Village, NY whose owner--Ted Kefalinos constructed what he called the "Drunken Negro Cookie," in honor of our new President Barack Obama. MyFoxNY.com reporter Arnold Diaz questioned Kefalinos about the inappropriateness of the name and image of his cookies. Diaz asked Kefalinos if he felt the cookies were racist and thought Blacks would be offended by the "unflattering image?"

"No its not [unflattering]. Its an expression of freedom, for me its just a fun thing, that's all it was, and anybody who says anything else [should] be a shamed of themselves," said Kefalinos in the television interview. 

Consequently, Diaz's report generated hundreds of strong reactions, and of course just 24 hours later, the Lafayette French Pastry's owner issued an apology to the community, saying, "seriously and from the bottom of my heart, it was an innocent design that I created and was nothing more than just a piece of art." He hopes that in the spirit of Martin Luther King, he would like to be forgiven for his mistakes. 

Reading the comments from Diaz's blog, the overall reaction to the cookies is not necessarily that of anger. Comments like: "While I think this is a despicable person to create such a cookie that promotes prejudice views, it's freedom of speech that makes our nation great."

and 

"Drunken Negro Head/Face...LMAO that is hilarious...I am Back and I think that is funny, but it would NOT be something I would sell on the street...that would be something I might joke about with my close friends...you would think folks would be a little more ware now a days."

Suggests that people are not angry at this man, they just think he is ignorant for not realizing he's being bluntly disrespectful.  What do you think? Is this something that suggests we have not come as far as we think we have. Or is this something that just illustrates the rights of the 1st Amendment and should be brushed off as ignorance?

Boondocks' Creator Feedup with Media Misinterpretations

Boondocks' creator Aaron McGruder tells press he just may stop talking period.
      After being misquoted during a speech he gave at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind, the cartoonist says not talking is the only way to avoid "this kind of thing." According to the Washington Post blog Comic Riffs, the paper quoted McGruder saying, "The person who is one of us in the White House is Michelle Obama and her momma..Obama is not black because he is not a descendant of a slave.
           In a statement issued a couple of days later, McGruder says, "it was a simple conversation about the difference between race, ethnicity, nationality, and trying to draw distinctions that most of the media and public seemed to be casually ignoring. That somehow became me calling someone who is obviously black not black." He goes on to say, '[s]adly, it no longer matters how carefully you choose your words--you said what the dumbest person in the audience said you said, I've certainly had my share of criticism for the 'legit' media--in fact, I largely stopped doing press because I hate being misquoted or misinterpreted by journalists--but this new kind of 'gutter news' from sites...[is] going to make it extremely difficult to engage in any sort of intelligent discourse."

Can you imagine Huey silencing his revolutionist rhetoric?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/01/obama_talk_boondocks_creator_d.html

"At Last"...Black Love

It has been said that in the context of Black America, sitings of "real," authentic love is missing. Originating from colonial times, Black men were taught to oppress and objectify Black women. Black women were taught to hate themselves and use sexuality for fulfillment; in return, coming to resent the Black man, looking at him as their oppressor, rather than their companion. In essence, the lack of self love in Blacks created their incapability to love one another--If I can not fully learn to love and appreciate myself, how can I fully love and appreciate someone else? Even writers such as activist and feminist bell hooks has written about her experiences growing up having no real tangible sense of what "real" Black love was. In retrospect, there were, (and still are), few public displays of Black love, and, besides the Cosby Show, there were no other black family shows on television to show Black America how a husband and wife should love, (or at least none i can think of). In fact, I am sure many young Blacks who watched the Cosby Show usually dreamt about their families becoming the Huxtables.

Yet, on Tuesday, at about 8:15 pm, the world got a glimpse of what Black love looks like. As Beyonce sang the Etta James classic  "At Last" the Obama's slow danced their first dance as President and First Lady in front of millions. Throughout this presidential race journalists have blogged and complied footage of the affectionate displays and gestures shared between President and First Lady Obama. In a November 2008 issue of the Chicago Tribune, one journalist wrote, "[o]ver the last two years the future first couple has made a practice of sharing such small, intimate moments on the grandest of stages, whether trading fist bumps, whispering "I love you" or stealing quick kisses on the campaign trail. The Obama's unabashed affection for each other suggests they could become one of the most engaging sets of lovebirds in White House history."

And I must agree It was a moment that I am sure will stick in the minds of Black America for years to come.

Where were you when history was made?

On Tuesday January 20th, 2009, the United States of America sworn in its 44th and fifth-youngest President...it's first Black President--Barack Obama. It was, and is a monumental history maker.

That is why, for reasons self-explanatory, it bothered me that on the day history was being made in my existence I was...at work. Not in Washington, DC, covering the inauguration for a big time magazine, but at work...at Washington Mutual on Chicago's Southside. As gregarious crowds gathered at the NAtional Mall in Washington, to watch history, I, Danielle Nicole Hester, aspiring magazine writer, was conducting deposit and withdrawal transactions, and listening to people blame the bank for them only having $10.26 in their checking account. By the time I got home and turned on my television to ABC, remnants of Mariah Carey's performance at the Neighborhood Ball played--lucky me! I imagine years from now, my kids coming home from school, sitting at the dinner table reading the assigned social studies chapter "The New Millennium," and asking, "Mommy where were you when Obama became president?" Will I tell then I was working at a bank during that time and was unable to watch him get sworn in? Or will I embellish on a story I concocted in my mind years before their existence? Having to work all day, then come home and watch the inauguration speech on Youtube, hours after it took place, made me feel like I had neglected the significance of the moment. I wish I could have told Washington Mutual I didn't need to work for them, and that I was not coming in to work because the inauguration of this nation's first Black president is more precedent then getting a pay check. But reality is a pay check is precedent, so there I was.

In hindsight, as I watched recaps of his speech on my Macbook, while sitting in bed, my body got tingles as our President spoke to all peoples and nations. My heart swelled with pride as he spoke of being the son of a man "who less than 60 years ago, might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath," and encouraged us to "mark this day with remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled." I imagined this must have been how our parents and grandparents felt on August 28, 1963, when Martin Luther King Jr gave his "I have a Dream" speech--history in the making. I imagined watching "Eyes on the Prize" videos and thinking how i wanted to feel the struggles and movements of the Black Power Movement (just for a day). And I imagined how good it would have felt to be a working journalist in Washington, DC, covering this moment.

Aside from his entire speech being inspirational, President Obama said something that stuck with me-- "we are keepers of this legacy." Each generation experiences something that makes them want to act and change systems of power. For Blacks, it has been a long struggle, and the struggle does not end now; it only continues. Moments like this--rare moments in time when your soul knows change is happening right in front of your eyes--are moments that no matter where you were, fact is you were there (in existence); living, breathing, able to see and sense its meaningfulness, able to talk to people who never thought they would live to see the day a Black man becomes President. This is what i will tell my children, not that I was working at a meaningless job and couldn't see an 18 minute speech; but that I lived during the time of Obama and his presidency. And prayerfully, I will tell them about how this man--a man for the people--helped restore our economy, our education system, our foreign affairs...our nation as a whole.

Teen Gospel Singer Excels By Living Her Life Outloud!

When I interned at Ebony Magazine this summer I had the opportunity to interview this talented young gospel singer. At 15, she spoke with such poise. She is such a positive young lady. Check out my Q&A below and her video:

Fifteen-year-old gospel singer Spensha Baker has done what most her age, and many much older, only dream about:She sang at the White House and debuted her first album Outloud! Spensha, signed to Geffen Records, got her big break at age 12 as a finalist on Star Search. Since then, she has performed with some of gospel’s biggest talents, such as CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Byron Cage and Yolanda Adams.Her most memorable event thus far has been participating in the “Grammy Jams-Tribute to Stevie Wonder.”In June, she performed at the White House for its Black Music Month “Salute to Gospel.”Spensha chatted with EBONY about the album and how she is living her life Outloud!

How did your Pentecostal upbringing
influence your music?
* I grew up Pente-
costal but I’ve always loved Christian contem-
porary music, more like your Steven Curtis
Chapman, your Natalie Grant.But I’ve grown
up and come to really appreciate traditional
gospel, and so I’ve been getting into TheClark
Sisters and Tramaine Hawkins and all of that.

Does the title of your album Outloud!
have a particular meaning?
*Outloud! is the
message behind the whole thing, to live your
life out loud and not to be afraid of who you are
and whose you are, and just to really be confi-
dent and stand firm in what you believe in.I’m
putting it all out on the table and saying this is
me, this is Spensha.I want listeners, especially
this generation, to put it all on the line and say
this is who I am and who I believe in.That’s
what you’ll get as you hear this album.You’ll
get inspired to live your life out loud.

Did you bring in other genre influences
for this CD?
*Absolutely! Yes, we pulled from
R&B and pop, but we tried to stay true to tra-
ditional [gospel] and praise and worship and
Christian contemporary.So you’ll get every-
thing in one package.

What is your favorite scripture?
*It is I Timothy [4:12], where Paul is talking to young
Timothy [a protégé] and he’s telling him don’t let
the older generation look down on you because
you are young.In turn, live a life of purity and
bring unity and just live your life as an example
so that they can see you are not just preaching
it but you’re living it.I write that scripture on
every autograph that I sign because that’s kinda
what I’m doing with my life.

What kind of image do you want to dis-
play?
*Just very modest and a classy young
lady that wants to sing the gospel.I’m not try-
ing to fit anybody else’s molds.I’m not trying to
be the next this or the next who.I’m just trying
to be me and just sing my music and be happy.
That’s the kind of image I want people to see—
that I’m modest and I’m young, but I’m singing
about the right things.

––Danielle Hester

How Many Puffs of Hookah does it take for an Intellectual to Tweak?

Obvious not many. 

A few weeks ago a couple of friends and I went to a Hookah bar in Hyde Park. Now I am not a smoker--never have and never will be. I don't smoke cigarettes or any other narcotics, yet I don't have a problem with smokers or being around smoke. But I went because I find that just about anything  that involves getting out the house has the potential to turn into good writing. About an half hour into watching my friends routinely pass the hoses to and from, I decided to join in, considering they had explained to me that Hookah does not contain the addicting stimulant of nicotine, but it may give you a little high. As Middle Eastern music played in the background, we sat on the floor surrounded by deep red velvet pillows discussing issues surrounding education in Chicago: the lack of resources that goes into Chicago Public schools, the overworked teachers who can't control outside socioeconomic factors hindering their students ability and capability to learn, etc, etc. Then, my friend sitting next to me transitions into a one on one conversation with me. He looks at me, face blurred by smoke, and says, "Man i can't believe it's already 2009, that shit sounds crazy to say...you know the Mayan calendar only goes up to 2012." I turned to him after taking another puff of Rawen flavored tobacco and said, "Wow, that's crazy what they gone do after that?"My Friend: "Huh, I don't think nothing...they're dead..."

Post-Grad Review is not just about my experiences; its about all my friends and peers who are going through some soul searching once the barrakes of college life have come down. Needless to say this is a period of exploration and "any means necessary" antics to launch you in that next step toward your goals and aspirations. So dammit make it count!!!!!

My good friend Donald Conley is a brillant filmmaker/actor living in NYC (article about him coming soon). Check out some of his work on Youtube...Shoutout to Silk Smooth McNasty!! Now this is entertainment! 

I am artistic...No wait I'm a banker?

In her column: "The New 'Safe' Post-Grad Jobs," New York Times Economix Colunmist Catherine Rampell brings forth an intertesting observation. She questions whether graduates of 2009 will turn to finacial services insight of the current banking crisis. She says that many of her artsy friends from college became bankers "not because they loved numbers and negotiations, but, I think, because banking seemed safe." At least, that was the convential wisdom way back in 2007." She goes on to say that, "now i worry that many of these same classmates have been or are about to be laid off, and I wonder how today's banking crisis will affect the attitudes toward career risk of tomorrow's graduates from elite colleges. Will more members of the class of 2009 gravitate toward jobs in public service or the arts, now that the "safe' Wall Street route has proven equally risky?"

This is an interest question to raise.

Throughout college it has always seemed that the percentage of post graduates who got hired right on were those majoring in Business and Finance. It has always been a given that if you majored in the Arts you might have a much harder time finding a job right after graduating. But I must say I have noticed that many of my friends who graduated in 2008 were in the same situation as me: Jobless. But even during a time of mortgage failure and low investment profits, on the surface banking still seems to be that go-to job for recent grads. I have a friend who went to school for film and is now trying to get a job working at Chase. Although its not mortgage lending, but rather retail banking, it's still banking and not the arts.  I, being an aspiring journalist, just got hired as a teller for Washington Mutual. After applying for numerous jobs, the job I land is a job that I have little experience in, and am utilizing two skills I have tried to avoid most of my working life: sales and mathematics; but I am content (for now).  Will M.B.A's turn to public service and arts...I doubt there will be a dramatic increase in this. For one, arts is something you have to love. It remains a low probability that you will ever make enough money equatable to that elite education. Therefore you must have a passion for public service or the arts. Whereas, in finance and banking you get great benefits, great incentives, and great bonuses, that even if your intent wasn't to become a banker, but something of the arts, the excellent probability of success offsets everything. 

You can read the rest of her column at the link posted below.

24 hours is too much time in a day

In college there is no time for downtime. Class, homework, campus involvement, work, internships, and the millimeter of a second for a social life is all you have. But when you graduate all that changes. You begin to miss not having time to sit and watch hours of television, or not having a fixed schedule. Once college is over your life becomes routine. You wake up everyday knowing you have nothing specific to do. 

You should realize that you now have time to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Don't get accustom to routine now that college life has ended. While looking for work, invest time into new things. Here are some suggests on how you can get your "mojo" back while waiting for that "career" opportunity.

1). Read-- I know that reading is not for everyone, but there are a variety of genres and topics to read about. While in school, there is limited time for leisure reading. But now this is the time to catch up on some best sellers. Also stay abreast in current events. Take time out to read newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc...you never know what ads you may find advertising that perfect job.

2). Travel--if your like many, (including myself), you may not have the income to travel. But if you do, or can scrap together a little bit of money, now is the perfect time to travel. I've talked to several professionals who said after college they took a map, closed their eyes, and whatever city their finger landed on, they went. Many left with less that $500 in their pocket, now they work for major publications. 

3). Volunteer--Don't just sit around in the house. Get out. By volunteering you stay abreast with current issues in your community. It's also a great way to network. 

4). Explore--One of my favorite things to do is act 'like a tourist in my own city.' You'll be surprised at all the discounts and freebies your town has to offer. Go to museums, plays, comedy shows, parks. Explore what your city has to offer. Again you never know who you'll meet.

5). Take on a new hobby--I haven't quite figured out what my new hobby is, but some ideas that have come to thought: take a class in  dancing, cooking, poetry. I don't know, whatever floats your boat. I did cook over the holidays and it was relaxing and fun.

6). Stay Fit--Use some of that extra time to join a gym. The time spent eating and sitting in bed applying for jobs, with limited mobility will soon catch up to you and when summer comes you will regret those extra few pounds. 

There is much more to do with your downtime. These are just a few. Remember my fellow post grads even though college has ended, your life has just begun. I know these are difficult times and money is scarce, (especially for those not working yet). The excessive time you have now is time you probably wont see again for a while once you land a job. So use it productively. Live life, enjoy life, become life. 

D