Tag: Profiles of Tenacity

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Jacqueline GaNun

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?

I had been contemplating the idea of pursuing journalism since junior year of high school because I loved writing and talking to people, and especially loved the idea of informing people of what is going on in the world. I visited UGA when I was in high school and picked up a copy of The Red & Black, and from then on, I was hooked. I joined The Red & Black as soon as I arrived in Athens and realized how fulfilling and interesting journalism was. I want to tell stories that matter, and Grady has the classes and extracurricular opportunities to help me do that.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

To me, tenacity means pursuing your goals relentlessly and not giving up when you run into obstacles or self-doubt. 

What are you passionate about?

Traveling and education are two of my biggest passions. I feel that traveling is itself a form of education. There are things that you just can’t learn in a classroom. Lifelong learning is incredibly important to me and is also crucial for people to make well-informed decisions that will positively impact their lives. These passions are both intertwined with my career goal of being a reporter who gets to travel — I hope to both educate myself about people’s stories and to educate others so that they can make positive decisions. 

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

This answer is easy — The Red & Black has impacted the entire trajectory of my life. Joining the first semester of my freshman year made it possible for me to realize the passion I have for storytelling and journalism. The numerous mentors that have taught me and helped me at R&B have also hugely impacted me both personally and professionally. 

GaNun is currently studying abroad at the University of Oxford.
What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

Some of my work was published in The New York Times in March 2021, an experience that still feels surreal. One of the national desk editors emailed about needing a stringer to cover a shooting that happened in Atlanta, and I drove there to help cover the aftermath. I am proud of myself for saying “yes” to the offer despite anxiety that I felt and of the hours I spent traveling and interviewing people. It was truly an incredible experience that I was very lucky to have had.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor, mentor or family member?

My mom is one of my biggest role models for many reasons, but one of the most impactful is how she approaches life through a lens of constant learning. She taught me that nobody knows everything and that I should always strive to learn new things about people and the world.

Who is your professional hero?

I look up to many figures in the media, but foreign correspondents who put their life on the line to tell stories from the front line are my personal heroes. I just read an autobiography by Clarissa Ward about her journey to become a conflict journalist and found it incredibly inspiring and enlightening. She tells stories about tenacity, both from her and from the people she has met around the world.

What is your favorite app or social media channel and why?

Twitter is my favorite app (as many journalists would say). I love being exposed to different viewpoints from people and following reporters that I admire to learn more about them and their reporting process.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I lived in Okinawa, off the coast of Japan, on a military base when I was younger.

Where is your favorite place on campus and why?

North Campus is amazing because it’s so peaceful and beautiful. I love walking on the paths or sitting in the sun with a drink from Starbucks or Bubble Café.

 

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Jillian Smalls

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?

I decided to come to UGA specifically to attend Grady College. Among all the colleges I was interested in, none of them offered a major that was as comprehensive of my interests as the entertainment & media studies major. I grew up writing stories and watching classic movies, so I’ve had a passion for storytelling for as long as I can remember. I loved that the EMST major encompassed so many different aspects of the entertainment industry beyond film production, so I knew Grady would be the place where I could grow and continue to hone my passion for storytelling. 

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

Tenacity means believing in yourself every step of the way towards achieving a goal. I believe that by having self-confidence, you can transcend the impossible. You can achieve anything you want in life if you believe you can achieve it. 

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

My most memorable Grady experience would have to be when I took my first production class in the fall of 2020. I will never forget making a short film documentary from start to finish during a pandemic. The process was challenging and stressful, but I think it was a valuable experience that taught us the importance of work ethic and perseverance to complete a project under unfavorable circumstances. Our documentary was about an art school student and how the pandemic and online school affected their creative process. It was inspiring seeing the positive impact storytelling can have on a situation like the pandemic. I was also grateful for the time I got to have with my teammates as we bonded over our experiences as college students in a pandemic. 

Headshot of Smalls
Smalls, an EMST major, is also pursuing a marketing degree and the New Media Certificate.
What are you passionate about?

I have a passion for serving others. I am a former site leader for IMPACT and that was probably the most fulfilling experience of my life. However, I believe that service can manifest itself in many ways beyond volunteering. I think storytelling is a form of service in some ways because stories that amplify marginalized voices, for example, are a form of service to audiences. 

What is an example of a time you used your studies and skills in a real-world experience?

Last summer, I was a digital marketing intern for Verint, a customer engagement software company. Even though this was a marketing position, I felt like my storytelling background through EMST is why I stood out from other candidates for the position. During the internship, I was tasked with many projects, but for one of them, I had to write and produce a series of promotional videos for one of their products. I worked in collaboration with animators to write a script and storyboard videos that showcased the features of the software. It was an awesome experience seeing my courses of study work together in the real world. 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor, mentor or family member?

My favorite piece of advice is “stay curious.” It’s a short and vague piece of advice, but that is why I like it. I think it can be applied to pretty much any situation. For me, it means avoiding becoming complacent. I think that in school, work or even relationships we can get too comfortable in a routine. By staying curious and being inquisitive, you will learn new things and open your mind to different points of view. 

What are you planning to do after graduation?
Smalls and a fellow Grady Ambassador checking students in
Smalls, a Grady Ambassador, assists incoming Grady students at the Spring 2022 New Admit Fair.

I will be working full-time at Cox Enterprises in the LEAD Program after graduation. I am excited to bring the skills I acquired from experiences in Grady to LEAD.

What is your favorite app or social media channel and why?

TikTok has been my favorite app lately. I enjoy both music and video, so the way the app fuses the two together is fun and interesting to me. I love that TikTok is showing people the endless possibilities of what they can create with just their smartphone. It’s been inspiring seeing that you don’t need an expensive camera to create successful video projects.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I am a huge foodie. I love cooking or baking new recipes in my free time. I also love trying new restaurants and cuisines. Tlaloc and The World Famous are my favorite places to eat and hang out in Athens.

Where is your favorite place on campus and why?

My favorite place on campus is the area outside of the Peabody Archive on the third floor of the Grady building. I love the view of Sanford Stadium and Hooper Street from there. It is the perfect spot to take phone calls and wander around when the weather is nice. I think of it as one of Grady’s hidden gems.

 

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Armani Kardar

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?  

I chose Grady and journalism because I love to talk and tell stories. I love meeting people and learning random information. Journalism has allowed me to be put in spaces and opportunities that I wouldn’t normally be in because I have to tell the story.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

Tenacity means to never give up. Nobody can truly stop you from being successful other than yourself. It means to bet on yourself every time regardless of your confidence in your abilities.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

Professor Carlo Finlay marked a pivotal moment in my development as a man and journalist. I was interested in the Sports Media program as a sophomore but opted not to apply out of the belief that I wasn’t good enough to be accepted. My Junior year a friend of mine, Tylar Norman (Grady and Sports Media Alum),  told me that Professor Finlay asked about me and wondered why I had not applied to the Sports Media program because he felt like I would be a good fit. It shocked me because while I didn’t believe in myself, someone else did. It made me realize I held myself back out of fear of failure and changed my outlook on life. I eventually went on to join the Sports Media program as a senior and decided to stay an extra year at UGA to complete it.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor, mentor or family member?

The best advice I’ve received is from my fraternity advisor Dr. Dennis Humphrey. He always uses old and obscure adages and the one that stuck with me the most is: “The race is not given to the swift, but to those who endure.” Which essentially means that it is better to finish at your own pace rather than placing a timetable on accomplishments based on others.

Kardar, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, hosted the Greek NPHC Step Show in 2021. (Photo: submitted)
Who is your professional hero?

My professional hero is Stephen A. Smith because of how he went from being a beat reporter in Philadelphia to the biggest name in sports show business. I also appreciate how he is able to be himself on television without being stereotyped or ridiculed.

What are you planning to do after graduation?

I plan to work in sports media as a career. 

What is your favorite app or social media channel and why?

I love to use Twitter because of its versatility. It provides news, jokes, updates and a platform to share your creativity with others.

What would people be surprised to know about you? 

I don’t learn very well in classroom settings and most of my skills are self taught. I really enjoy learning new things.

Where is your favorite place on campus and why?

My favorite place on campus is North Campus because of how beautiful it looks and how close it is to downtown.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about mentoring young black men in hopes of instilling the confidence I once lacked in them at an early age. It is important to invest in our youth because they are the future and need to know that their potential is truly limitless.

 

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Riley Armant

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
Why did you choose Grady and your course of study? 

Being that I am a COVID-19 graduate, I knew that the job market was not ideal for me. I decided that a master’s degree was the best option for me. The idea of going to school again was not the most appealing, but it has been the best decision I have made so far. I want to be a great storyteller and journalist. I knew that Grady is the best of the best, therefore I felt as though it was only right to join the UGA community.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you? 

Tenacity, in my opinion, means possessing the determination to reach a personal goal or level of success. Having this quality also means that you won’t settle for anything less than what you envision.

What is your most memorable Grady experience? 

Being able to get into the Newsource class, hands down. This was definitely the hardest class I have ever taken but I am a better journalist because of it.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about connecting with my community and creating a platform for their voices to be heard. Like I have said before, I want to be a great storyteller and journalist, so a personal passion of mine is to create this platform. I also want to join the efforts to restore trust in news media, especially in the Black community. I have personal passions for things like fine arts (especially dance), food, and music.

Armant was previously an intern with WJBF News Channel 6.
What has been your proudest moment in the past year? 

Creating a newsreel from my summer internship and Grady Newsource that I feel confident in!

Who is your professional hero? 

A few of my favorites are Angela Rye, Maria Taylor (even though I don’t have a huge interest in sports) and Jeannette Reyes.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I am classically trained in ballet and danced for a solid 15 years.

What is your favorite app or social media channel and why? 

My favorite social media app is Tik Tok because it’s almost like a search engine. I go there for news, makeup reviews and clothing reviews. Instagram has always been a favorite of mine as well, but I would say that I frequent Tik Tok more often.

What are you planning to do after obtaining your degree? 

I have plans to become a multi-skilled Journalist. Later in my career, my goal is to be an anchor and a great storyteller overall.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor, mentor or family member? 

“As a journalist you will always get better interactions if you lead with honey” Ralitsa Vassileva, the Grady Newsource professor, gave us this advice before we started doing live shows. To me, this meant that you should always go into an interview with a positive attitude and grace. By doing this you begin to build a bond with your source and which enables you to tell an amazing story.

 

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Jane Congfei Lian

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

For me, tenacity means always staying positive when facing tough circumstances or situations. The most important difference I found between human beings and animals is that we are born to be adaptable. I came to the U.S. two years ago across the Pacific Ocean with two suitcases. Studying abroad during college is like uprooting a tree to an entirely new field. Tough times came, with everything being unfamiliar, strange, unexpected and different from what I used to. However, I always reminded myself why I came here. I tried to build connections with new people, get involved in organizations and learn different cultures. I strived to adapt to the new environment and improve my personal development skills. The biggest takeaways from my college experience is to never be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone, to explore all opportunities and to not underestimate how strongly adaptable we can be. 

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

I have countless memorable Grady experiences. My favorite one was the moment I was awarded the New Media Certificate. Standing on the stage with my fellows and professors, I finally became a certificate alumni. This was the first degree I finished at UGA. This certificate not only proves the skills I’ve learned, but also represents the effort I invested in paving my career path.   

What are you passionate about?

Serving people. I have a strong desire to serve as a bridge for everything I’m working on. In Grady activities, I aim to connect juniors who are pursuing media with people in professional industries. As a world leader for International Student Orientation, I aspire to help them make UGA feel like coming home and to connect cultures. When it comes to serving my clients, I want to help them to build relationships with their target customers. To put it briefly, I believe credibility builds relationships.  

Lian pictured with Women in Media executive board
Lian (front row, right) is the social media manager for Women in Media at UGA.
What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

Serving as the social media manager at Women in Media has left a deep impact throughout my UGA life. WIM’s mission is to motivate creative women in all forms of media. Through WIM, I have learned we can not only grow ourselves, but also help our peers grow. That is true women’s power.  

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I’ve been a big fan of Taylor Swift since I was 10 years old. I have TS on my wall, my clock, my ruler and my blanket at my home in China.

Where is your favorite place on campus and why?

The first floor study area near Studio 100 inside Grady. That’s where I spent most of my time to complete my schoolwork. It’s quiet and easy to find a spot. You can see outside from the door and eat snacks from the vending machine when you are hungry. 

What is an example of a time you used your studies and skills in a real-world experience?

Take an example of when I was serving as a Junior Research Strategist in the Talking Dog Agency. Our client JT Hanna is a family run screen-printing business. My job was to craft a survey on Qualtrics in order to help our client gauge the Atlanta market’s awareness as well as customers’ screen printing preferences. Although I have no previous knowledge on using Qualtrics or creating insightful research, I reached out to other colleagues to gain ideas about what questions I should set up in my survey to reach our client’s goal. Finally, I drafted the survey along with another strategist and got 215 responses. This ultimately helped our client to improve their brand position. 

Lian (pictured second from right) is a former Junior Fetch Strategist for Talking Dog.
What are you planning to do after graduation?

I wish I could land on a job or internship with a structured advertising & marketing agency to enhance my skills. My dream job is to be a brand strategist because I believe brand storytelling is the future of marketing. 

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

Last year I was unable to see my friends or go back home to see my parents. I cannot describe how much I missed home and I cannot see what comes next in the future. But I did not choose to stop, instead, I utilized the gap year to improve my resume, cover letter and portfolio to strengthen myself. I also started to use LinkedIn to build connections with alumni and reach out which helped me find many great school organizations that alumni are involved in. I began to apply to different organizations such as Talking Dog and Women in Media to find opportunities to grow. I couldn’t have reached where I am without the Covid year because it gave me more time to think about what I want to pursue and what skills I should develop to arrive there.   

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor, mentor or family member?

My father has influenced me in many aspects. He is the one who has strongly supported me to study abroad and pursue what I love. “Go and see the big world, and you will find yourself and who you want to be,” he always tells me. “You learn to be critical by immersing yourself in different places and hearing from a variety of people’s perspectives.”  

 

#ProfilesOfTenacity: DonA Traylor-Askew

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?

I chose to study journalism because I developed a love for storytelling while in grade school. I love talking to people and getting to know more about what makes them who they are. I also love sports and how they bring people together. The idea that I could combine the two and pursue a career in sports journalism seemed like a dream. I knew Grady had a great program and reputation for successful journalists. In addition, I knew the Sports Media Certificate program would help me to best position myself for a fulfilling career.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

Tenacity means pushing through whatever comes your way and never giving up. It means setting your mind on a goal and doing whatever it takes to reach it no matter what situations arise in life that could stand in your way. Simply put, it means unrivaled determination.

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

In my Fall 2021 sports broadcast class, I was the producer of our last show of the year. When I first learned I would have that task, I was so nervous. It was my job to get everyone—the anchor, analysts, feature reporter, and graphics producer, etc.—all on the same page. It was the first time I had ever produced a show, but I created a new structure for the show. My classmates and I came together and pulled it off with my new plans being implemented almost seamlessly. I was very proud of myself and although I had never considered pursuing a position as a producer, this experience changed me. Now I really feel like I could do this in a professional setting.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

The sports media program has had the biggest impact of my life during my time at UGA. I arrived here hoping to begin building a foundation for a career in sports media, but it was really just an idea. It has only been through the experiences in this program that I have truly started to realize that I can be successful in the field. Each class and the challenges I’ve faced in them have allowed me to learn new skills that will not only be applicable in the workplace but could also give me an edge over my competition early on when starting in the industry.

Traylor interviewing a trainer on Dooley Field
Traylor-Askew interviews University of Kentucky Football strength and conditioning coach Rafael Horton.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor, mentor or family member?

I have two great pieces of advice from Professor Vicki Michaelis that I try to keep in mind with all that I do professionally. The first is “Don’t let perfection get in the way of done.” This advice has helped me to stay out of my own way when it comes to being a perfectionist. Instead of trying to find some cute way to dress up a graphic or some fun phrase to add to a sideline hit, it’s always best at the end of the day to deliver the truth of the information in a clear and concise format, and to worry about the additives later. And the second is “If you know what you don’t know, you’ll be fine.” As long as I remain aware of the areas where I can improve, I will always be working to better myself and therefore better position myself for the future.

What are you planning to do after graduation?

I hope to begin working in social media production for an NFL or NBA team in Los Angeles, Phoenix or Atlanta. I could also see myself working in sports broadcasting in some form, either as an anchor or producer.

What is your favorite app or social media channel and why?
Traylor on the Newsource set
Traylor-Askew is an active volunteer and manager for Grady Newsource.

TikTok. It is such an informal platform that even professional TikTok accounts are able to create a silly atmosphere for consumers. When NFL and NBA teams can use this form of media to make jokes about one another and it’s not only acceptable, but to be expected, I think it is great.

Where is your favorite place on campus and why?

My favorite place on campus is Sanford Stadium. I have been able to make so many great memories there with the new friends that I’ve made during my time at UGA. The atmosphere is phenomenal. And as a major sports fan, I didn’t miss a home game all year and I don’t plan to miss one next year either.

Who is your professional hero?

I would consider Maria Taylor to be a professional hero of mine. She also attended Grady and is having a very successful career in sports broadcasting. She is one of the younger successful Black sports broadcasters that I feel has recently blazed a trail for women like me who could follow in her footsteps before creating my own path.

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

I was part of a small team of student reporters who worked to create “The First Five,” a documentary about the five black men who integrated the UGA football team in 1971. I didn’t realize how much work would go into the project when we first started, and I had some self doubt in the beginning because I’d never done anything like it before. However, I worked hard to give each subject a true voice when I finished my portion of the piece and when I saw what it added to the overall story, it was one of the proudest moments of my life.

 

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Emily Goncalves

Posted on by admin
Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?

I actually came to UGA as an intended international business major. I switched to Grady because I wanted a smaller college with more intimate class settings, professors that actually got to know their students and of course just a higher emphasis on creativity. Grady and public relations ended up being a perfect fit.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I have been to over 16 countries! Most of my family lives abroad, so I got to travel quite a bit growing up. I also had the chance to study abroad in Paris after my freshman year. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

Tenacity is the force inside you, that innate drive to do great things. Tenacity has helped me persevere through hard times, and has been a driving force for me to continue to better myself.

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

In January of 2020, I had the chance to travel to Washington D.C. for the Grady Agency Tour with Professor Watson. It was such an incredible experience and really inspired me to pursue a job in public affairs after graduation. I was the only sophomore on the tour and literally only knew Samantha Meyer, but I made friends with several seniors who gave me countless pieces of fantastic advice. Coincidentally, I roomed with Emma Crosby, an old PRSSA president, who encouraged me to run for PRSSA executive board. 

Where is your favorite place on campus and why?

Definitely North Campus. It’s so peaceful! Every time I walk through, I am reminded how lucky I am to go to this beautiful school.  

What are you passionate about?

I love to travel and meet others from different cultures. Everyone has unique experiences and viewpoints that define who they are. Learning other’s stories helps give one insight into their own.

PRSSA holds its first meeting of the 2021 academic year. This year, Emily Goncalves takes charge as president of the club. (Photo/Sarah Freeman).
What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

Destiny Loyd! She’s the mastermind behind the UGA Mentor Program, and the head of the UGA Mentor Program student team. She is such an amazing leader who cares deeply about helping others. Destiny has truly made me a better person, student and leader.

What are you planning to do after graduation?

I hope to have a job in public affairs or public relations in a large city such as Washington D.C. or New York City. After working for a couple years, I want to return to school and get my Masters of Business Administration. 

What was the hardest part about adjusting to COVID-19 in your life as a student and early career professional?

Not seeing classmates in person. I, like many other Grady students, consider myself a people-person, and thrive on human connection and communication. Collaborating via Zoom or text message for the entirety of the semester was doable, but I missed having authentic conversations with people face to face. I am so thankful to be safely back in in-person classes!

What is your favorite app or social media channel and why?

Instagram! I love how interactive it’s gotten with stories and reels. It’s always getting better and better. 

What has been your proudest moment in the past year? 

I was overjoyed when I was elected president of UGA’s PRSSA chapter. PRSSA has given me so many opportunities, taught me so many things, and given me so many great friends. I am so proud that I took the leap of faith in pushing myself to take on such a big leadership role. I know it’s going to be a great year!

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Suzanne Kebanli

Posted on by admin
What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

Being an Orientation Leader for virtual orientation last summer is one of the accomplishments that I’m most proud of. Working with New Student orientation at UGA has been my dream since I attended my own first-year orientation session in 2017. I knew one day that I would be an OL, and when I finally interviewed and got my acceptance, it was a dream come true! Transitioning to a virtual setting for the entire summer had a unique set of challenges and was certainly not what I expected, but my team and I handled it really well and took all of the obstacles in stride day by day.

Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?

I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the journalism and mass communications field, so upon coming to UGA, I knew Grady was the college for me. I quickly fell in love with the people here and could feel their passion for the industry.

What are you planning to do after graduation? What is your dream job?

After graduation, I want to move to London or New York City. I’d love to either work at an advertising or communications agency doing Account Management or for an event planning company.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I’m Turkish. I was born in Turkey, and my whole family lives there! I grew up going there during the summers, so it definitely has a special place in my heart.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

To me, tenacity means pressing on and fighting for something even when it’s hard.

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

During my first year at UGA before I was even accepted to Grady, I took Dean Davis’s career explorations class and it was one of my favorite classes to date. At the end of the semester, he invited us to his “Dawgs with the Dean” event on the Grady lawn. It was — and still is — one of my favorite Grady experiences because it made me feel so welcomed and included.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

I was an Orientation Leader at UGA during the summer of 2020, and my supervisor, Tori Tanner, had a huge impact on my life. We met my junior year and she has been one of my biggest mentors and role models ever since. She taught me a lot about myself, about my work and leadership style and about tenacity and perseverance. 

What are you passionate about?

I’m really passionate about storytelling and hearing what people are passionate about. I love hearing what others love and what makes them excited.

What is your favorite app or social media channel?

I love Instagram because of its versatility. There are always new updates and changes to the app, and it’s fun seeing how quickly it grows and evolves. It’s hard to get bored on Instagram because of the number of ways there are to actually consume the content, whether it’s through stories, IGTV, Live Videos, Reels or just my regular feed. There’s always new content to see and share, and it’s super interactive.

Where is your favorite place on campus?

Herty Field is one of my favorite places on campus. During my first and second years on campus, I spent a lot of time sitting on those black benches in the red gravel around Herty Fountain. A lot of my classes used to be on North Campus, so that was always my go-to spot to unwind and relax after a long day of classes. The sounds and smells and that spot in general is really nostalgic to me, and I love it. 

Who is your professional hero?

Tori Tanner was my supervisor when I worked for UGA Orientation last summer, and since meeting her I’ve learned so much about myself professionally and as a leader. She’s helped shaped me and grow me over the last year to be the best version of myself in professional settings and tackle new responsibilities and leadership roles. She is one of the strongest and most hardworking women I know, and I aspire to be like her in my career in the future.

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Willie Daniely

Posted on by admin

Why did you choose Grady and your course of study? 

I have always been a naturally curious person, asking a lot of questions about any and everything as a little kid. As I grew older it just seemed to naturally evolve into me wanting to be a journalist. In ninth grade, my mom told me about a summer camp at Grady, now the Media and Leadership Academy, where I could learn about broadcasting, and the rest is history.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

To me, having tenacity is being determined to accomplish your goal, whatever that may be — being able to think outside the box, adapt and persevere to finish.  

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

Last summer I got my dream internship in New York City with NBC. Unfortunately, the world had different plans and I was not able to go due to COVID-19. Although I didn’t go to New York, I had a virtual internship, and it was great to achieve something that I had been working toward for so long.

Where is your favorite place on campus?

One day I stumbled upon the Jackson Street Building and thought it was the coolest building on campus. I love walking through the studio and seeing all the work that the landscape architecture students have done. 

What is your most memorable Grady experience? 

My most memorable Grady experience has to be during my first summer as a high schooler. That week was my first glimpse into Grady, and I fell in love with the college. It was such a fun time, it was awesome to get familiar with many of the faces that I would encounter as a student. 

What is your favorite app or social media channel?

If I have to choose, I probably spend the most time on Twitter.

What are you passionate about?  

A few of the things that I am most passionate about are traveling, social issues and politics. Any chance that I get to travel I always jump at it. Being a young Black man in America, my attention is automatically drawn to social issues and combating inequality, which resulted in me developing an interest in politics. 

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA? 

The staff at Grady College. If the people who work in Grady had not been so welcoming, interesting and beneficial to me, I would not have chosen UGA.  From my time as a camper, all the way to now as a senior, they have always been there to help in any way they can.

Who is your professional hero?

Don Lemon. Being an aspiring journalist, Black man and advocate for social justice, Don Lemon has served as a fantastic role model that I aspire to have a career like.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?  

The best piece of advice I have ever gotten is to keep an open mind about everything.  I credit my parents for giving me this mentality that keeps me from passing judgments before I try things. That mindset has also helped open doors for me. 

What is an example of a time you used your studies and skills in a real-world experience?

I have been lucky throughout my time at Grady to be given many opportunities to apply what I learn in the classroom to the work I produce. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of desegregation at UGA, I was given the chance to interview Charlayne Hunter-Gault, one of UGA’s two first black students. Being a Black student at UGA, that will always be an interview that I look back on with pride. 

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I enjoy watching movies. Out of all the films I have ever seen, my favorite movie is and forever will be “Speed Racer.”

What are you planning to do after graduating? What is your dream job?

After graduation I plan to pursue a career in broadcasting. My ultimate career goal is to be a news anchor.

What has been the hardest part about adjusting to COVID-19 in your life as a student and future professional?

That hardest part of adjusting to life in a world with COVID-19 has been making lasting connections. I have been given networking opportunities and internships that are virtual, but it is harder to connect with someone through a screen. It takes a lot more intentional effort to connect with others.

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Tévon Knight

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What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

When you have a goal, no matter what is thrown in your way, you find a way to succeed. Tenacity is all about persisting when things are tough, uncertain, scary or down right impossible. Growing as a human is all about leaving your comfort zone and pushing past the things that make you want to quit. That’s tenacity.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

People would be surprised to know I’m a big professional wrestling fan! I never talk about it, but watching professional wrestling from a young age is what got me very interested in storytelling and video production.

What are you passionate about?

Storytelling has always existed, but in the last 20 or so years, the technology and access to quality storytelling is extremely abundant. My goal as a filmmaker is to use that abundance to give voices to minority groups who have been underrepresented and unheard throughout history. We can’t fully love and accept each other if we don’t understand each other. Everyone has baggage, everyone has challenges and everyone has a voice. I want to help move to a place where everyone’s voice is not only equally elevated, but we can also accept each other’s individual experiences. I want my art to convey that just because someone’s path doesn’t reflect our own, we do not have to be in opposition.

Who is your professional hero?

Ava DuVernay, who is the director of several critically acclaimed films that educate on the African American experience up to this point in history. Some of her films include “When They See Us” and “Thirteenth.”

Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?

Coming into college, I knew I wanted to learn how to effectively tell stories. Grady is predicated on telling meaningful, impactful stories. Whether that be through a branding campaign, a movie screen or a newsroom. I decided on Grady because I knew I’d be able to gather tools and network as I learned my craft.

What is your favorite app or social media channel?

I like to post my photography on Instagram, but I like Vimeo and YouTube as well.

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

My proudest moment in the last year would have to be purchasing my first professional camera, the Panasonic GH5. Having this camera has allowed me to continue creating in my free time and apply things I’ve learned in Grady to more of my personal work!

What are you planning to do after graduating? Do you have a dream job?

After graduating, I plan to grow my freelance business in the Atlanta area. From there, I hope to expand into other large cities around the United States. Ultimately, I one day want to own a nonprofit that focuses on educating children of color in low-income neighborhoods in the subject of media production.

Where is your favorite place on campus?

The Main Library study rooms

What has been the hardest part about adjusting to COVID-19 in your life as a student and future professional?

Things being online can be challenging, but I think the hardest thing (especially for Entertainment and Media Studies students) is searching for opportunity. The film industry and videography industry is seeing difficult times right now. However, having tenacity is all about creating your own opportunities in any way possible. That’s what I’ve done, and what I’ll continue to do.