As I sit and reflect on election week, I know that this was a period in time that I will remember for the rest of my life. It was one of many firsts for me: my first time voting in a presidential election, my first time interviewing one of my idols, my first time anchoring a newscast, and my first time covering such a monumental moment in history. To say that I am anything short of inspired, motivated and exhausted (Extremely exhausted!) would be an understatement. The process of covering this election challenged me in more ways than I can count, but it gave me a glimpse of the dreams I have been working so hard to accomplish.
Like any other American voter, I obviously had a candidate that I was rooting for and during such controversial election, I was very excited to cast my ballot as a first-time voter. However, as a journalist, I challenged myself to keep my ear to the ground at all times so that I could remain up to date on everything that was happening within the political world. I never allowed my personal views or opinions to prevent me from accurately and responsibly telling the facts of what was happening during this election season.
On election eve, I received an email from Professor Thomas informing me that I would be conducting a same day interview with MSNBC’s Joy Reid, I nearly screamed. I wasn’t even finished reading the entire email before I was on the phone with my mom telling her the great news. When I got on zoom with Joy Reid at 6:05pm I was nervous, but more than that, I was inspired. The fact that it wasn’t even a full hour before The ReidOut aired and Joy Reid was on a zoom call with me blew my mind.
I was very proud of how I juggled multiple tasks during this election. Not only did I anchor Howard University’s election coverage newscast and conduct an interview with Joy Reid, I also produced my own reporter package, and managed to work overtime with the CBS News Political Unit. Now that the week has concluded and I have had time to digest and reflect on everything, I now know that this was a week that could make or break me as an aspiring professional journalist. I can honestly say that this week didn’t break me. It in fact made me want to be a journalist even more. The adrenaline rush that I got from being out in the field shooting my own footage, writing scripts and editing my reporter package all while being on a deadline gave me the feeling that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
Witnessing Kamala Harris accomplish so many firsts this week made me only want to work harder, to dream bigger. I could not be prouder to be a journalist, a Black woman, a Howard woman. During this election, I celebrated so many firsts, but I am far from any lasts.
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