In high school, a teacher asked everyone what we wanted to be when we grew up. As I listened to the other responses, I did not want to repeat anyone else’s answer, so I blurted out “a TV broadcaster.” I had no clue what a broadcaster did, nor did I know what to study for the job, but I did know four local black women TV news anchors who inspired me: Alveta Ewell, Regina Mobley, Barbara Ciara, and Ava Hurdle.
After graduation, I did everything BUT my high school goal! I joined the U.S. Army and served my country at Fort Carson, Colorado, and Sinai, Egypt. After my time in the military, I used the GI Bill to earn my Associate’s Degree in Social Sciences at Tidewater Community College. I took some Computer Programming and Web Development courses at ECPI College of Technology.
After the military, I attended and worked at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ where the late Bishop Barnett Thoroughgood was the Founding Pastor. I served on the A-Team Hospitality and in the Audio Video Department. I also designed flyers, weekly bulletins, and homegoing tributes. One day while working the camera during church service, I recalled that high school goal of wanting to be a TV broadcaster. I decided then to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications – General Broadcast at Norfolk State University.
I enrolled at NSU intending to get a job before graduation. I joined Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals (HRBMP) and met social media maven Nikki Curry and one of my inspirations, now-retired WAVY-TV anchor, Alveta Ewell, who immediately used my skills and gave me opportunities to network in the community. They also encouraged me to join the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Shortly after, I received an invitation to join the National Society of Leadership and Success. I wanted to be diverse in media so I joined the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment (NABFEME), and earned Hootsuite, Google Analytics, and various social media-related certifications. To my surprise, I was inducted in the inaugural NSU Presidential Mentorship program and was assigned to Dr. Justin Moses, Vice President for Operations and Chief Strategist for Institutional Effectiveness.
During college, I applied for the radio internship program at WNSB Blazin’ Hot 91 and was trained by veteran radio news reporter Cheryl Wilkerson. Upon completion of the program, I asked to work in the social media department and was assigned to Marketing and Community Engagement Director Toni Jones. Toni supported my promotion from intern to work study to part-time Marketing Assistant, developed my on-air personality, K.Noteworthy (host of the Live & Local 757 show for Independent Artists), and created an entertainment segment for me called “Blazin’ Hot Tea” during the Blazin’ Hot Morning Show. I briefly co-hosted the Blazin’ Hot Morning Show with the beloved and respected senior host, Cheryl Wilkerson. My additional duties include interviewing local artists, participating in blood drives, food drives, school supply giveaways, and many more community events. I spent a summer at Kennesaw State University as the Digital Marketing Specialist in Strategic Communications and returned to my hometown as the Integrated Digital Specialist at a local NBC affiliate WAVY-10/Nexstar.
Currently, I own and manage KJH Media Services (formerly known as Noteworthy Media Group) where I offer customized packages of various branding services like flyers, business cards, social media management, video editing, and much more. Soon I will launch a service called Futuristic Media Training, where I introduce high school-aged Black females to various employable skills within the media field.
