Where Are We Going

This week was terrific! On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to shadow reporter Nicole Carr as she covered a story about the drought in Ball Ground, Georgia. We constantly laughed because we did not know what to expect from a place called "Ball Ground." Carr interviewed Ball Ground's city manager and a meat and produce store worker. After Carr went live for the 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscast, Carr, Dave Darling, an extraordinary photographer, and I celebrated National Selfie Day by taking a selfie. 

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to shadow reporter Richard Elliot with fellow intern Jolie as he covered a story about a former school police lieutenant who made his first court appearance after shooting and killing one K-9 and leaving another in a hot patrol car. Afterwards, I had the opportunity to help with "The Bachelor" and " The Bachelorette" casting call at the station. There were 187 men and women who auditioned for the show. I thought about filling out an application , but I am not 21 yet. It looks like I will not be finding my Michelle Obama on television this year, but I digress. 

I am noticing that I am becoming more comfortable as a young journalist. I am learning so much from every person I encounter and have the opportunity to shadow. I know that this is where I am supposed to be.

Me getting ready for my stand-up in Ball Ground, Georgia. 

Reporter Nicole Carr reporting LIVE. 

Reporter Nicole Carr, photographer Dave Darling, and me celebrating National Selfie Day. 

Reporter Richard Elliot preparing to go LIVE. 

Work, Work, Work, Work, Work, Work

This week was fun and interesting. On Tuesday and Thursday, I had the opportunity to work with Clark Howard's, nationally syndicated radio host, team in the investigative unit. On Tuesday, I logged a few of Howard's television specials that will air soon and one that will air sometime in November. In addition, I accompanied the investigative team on two shoots that will air in a month or so. I have begun to see how investigative specials come together. Investigative reporters and their team will get a story, do tons of research on the topic and make tons of phone calls, shoot the interview, do tons of more research and make tons of more phone calls until there is nothing else to gather and put all of the pieces together to be shown on television. It was not hard to notice that the investigative team works extremely hard to put well done and informative specials together.

On Wednesday and Friday, I had the opportunity to shadow reporter Tyisha Fernandes. On Wednesday, Fernandes covered a story about a well-known Black Lives Matter activist in the Greater Atlanta area who was arrested at the Donald Trump rally. The activist was one of five who were arrested that day, and witnesses said that he was treated unfairly compared to the other people who were arrested. Fernandes got an interview with the activist's attorney to get more information on his client and his arrest history. On Friday, Fernandes covered a story about a grandmother who lost her granddaughter and her granddaughter's mother in a tragic car accident.

One of the highlights of this week was having dinner with Fernandes and her Friday photographer, Arnold. They gave me a lot of advice about the business and about life. It has been amazing have REAL moments with the reporters and photographers. Every moment like this reassures me of what I want to do with my life and the impact that I will make in the broadcast journalism field.

Me logging an investigative interview. 

Reporter Tyisha Fernandes interviewing the Black Lives Matter activist's attorney. 

Reporter Tyisha Fernandes and me after I finished my stand-up. 

And the Emmy Goes to...

This week was amazing. On Monday, I worked in the newsroom and did my regular routine. Although, I got a better understanding of the assignment desk. I answered two phone calls. It was kind of fun. The assignment desk crew is really nice and helpful. 

On Tuesday, I shadowed reporter Nefertiti Jaquez as she covered a story about a man that allegedly killed his girlfriend in her car in Memphis and ditched the car in Grant Park. Jaquez interviewed three residents. In addition, the third interviewee had pictures of the car before authorities picked it up. After Jaquez finished the interviews, she went live with the story at noon, 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. 

On Thursday, I shadowed investigative reporter Aaron Diamant as he covered a story about the general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport who was fired. Diamant was the first reporter to cover the story when the former general manager was first fired and since then, he had been trying to find out the exact reason why Mayor Kasim Reed fired him. Every time Diamant tried to get in contact with the mayor for an interview, the mayor and his team continually said "No." Not letting that be an excuse, Diamant tracked the mayor down at a public event and interviewed him as he got out of his car. It was so cool to see a reporter be so passionate about a story and not allow "No" to stand in his way. 

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to be a volunteer for the Southeast Emmy Awards. It was amazing seeing journalists who have inspired me since I was a young boy. My jobs included setting out programs, unloading the Emmys, cutting tickets and being a star chaser. What is a star chaser, you ask? A star chaser is someone who gets the presenters from their seats and walks them backstage to get prepped before they go on stage. This was AWESOME! It was amazing to be in the presence of excellence. It was evident that everyone in the ballroom worked hard to be there, whether they won an Emmy or not. Being there served as motivation for me to "work hard and persevere" as anchor Karyn Greer told me.  

I continue to stand amazed at the opportunities that God allows me to experience. This internship has stretched every part of me, but God has remained faithful and has guided me every step of the way.

Me working at the assignment desk. 

I have begun to look at the footage from my stand-ups. 

Investigative reporter Aaron Diamant interviewing Mayor Kasim Reed.

Investigative reporter Aaron Diamant interviewing Councilwomen Felicia Reed about the former general manager of the airport.

The production crew adding the finishing touches to the ballroom. 

Anchor Karyn Greer and me. I have looked up to her since I was a young boy. 

Me on the red carpet. 

Anchor Joanne Feldman from Fox 5 and me. She is very nice. 

Emmy Award-winning make-up artist Nyssa Green and me. She is hilarious. 

Anchor Brenda Wood and me. She has inspired me since I was a young boy. It was an honor meeting her. 

Mrs. Wood and me sharing a funny moment. 

Me practicing for when I win my first Emmy. 

Going Forward

This week was very interesting. On Monday, I got to the station at record time. Because of it being Memorial Day, it seemed like no one was on the road. A little over an hour trip only took me 40-50 minutes. Look at God! When I got into the newsroom, I immediately noticed that it was like a ghost town. The morning meeting was not as full, and Fred Blankenship was the only anchor on the noon newscast, so organizing scripts was a breeze. Also, I started to put together my package for my first stand-up with Nefertiti Jaquez. 

On Tuesday, I attended a reporters workshop held by reporter Darryn Moore and my supervisor. One thing that will stick with me forever, along with everything they said, is that reporters report but journalists change lives. That was a drop the mic/ praise break moment. It is always awesome learning from journalists who were once where I am. Before the workshop was over Moore gave us an assignment that consisted of us putting together the script for a mock package. Although it was challenging, I enjoyed it. 

This is where the "interesting week" comes in. I report to the station on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m., and Tuesday and Thursday are the days that I have the opportunity to shadow a reporter. The conflict was that the reporters come in at 9 a.m. which was the same time as the reporters workshop. When the workshop was over, I went back to the newsroom and noticed that all of the reporters were gone. I could either find something to do until 2 p.m. and count it a loss for the day or stay until the 2:30 meeting and pray that a reporter would let me go with him/her. I did not mention that a majority of the reporters come in at 9 a.m., so if one says that I cannot go with them, there are a plethora of other reporters to ask. On the other hand, only three to four reporters come in at 2:30 p.m., so I was praying hard that one would  say "Yes." In that moment, I emailed reporter Matt Johnson to see if I could shadow him, and he said "Yes." I shadowed him as he covered a story about a lady who found out that her sister who had been missing since March was found dead. To make it worse, investigators only found her skull. When Johnson interviewed her, my heart broke. All I could do was pray for her and her family. Afterwards, I had the opportunity to have Subway with Johnson and his photographer before he had to leave for another assignment.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to shadow investigative reporter Erica Byfield as she conducted interviews for a special about how much tax payers pay everyday for people to be in jail. It was very interesting. In addition, she did an interview with the manager and friend of Vernon Forrest, a well-known boxer who was murdered in 2009 and whose alleged murderer has not been convicted. The special will be aired in July, so I cannot reveal much about it.

Overall, I am continuing to enjoy my experience and learning a lot. More than that, I am learning from the other interns. They have taught me a lot about branding myself and making sure that I display my work. Furthermore, one of my favorite parts of the internship are the people who I get the opportunity of meeting week-to-week. As a journalist and human being, it is vital to know that EVERYONE has a story. Although some relate, every story is different. The world is made up of so many beautiful and diverse people who come from different walks of life, and I pray to tell their stories in a way that helps others and myself. 

Investigative reporter Erica Byfield conducting an interview for her upcoming special. 

Me doing a stand-up.