I conducted an online interview via e-mail with Professor Allissa Richardson, Assistant Professor of Journalism at Morgan State University. She's written for Jet, Essence, O The Oprah Magazine, and countless others. As an aspiring journalist, I wanted to speak with another, more established young journalist so I chose my one time instructor as my subject for my project. I spoke with the twenty-something professor about her becoming a journalist, her experiences in journalism and the hardships that come along with that.
This interview took place on April 15, 2011.
Alexandria Langston: What made you want to become a writer, more importantly what made you want to become a journalist?
Professor Allissa Richardson: I have one of those typical writer beginnings. I really did not know writing could be a career, so I did it as a kid as a form of self-communication. I wrote my first book when I was six years old. It was called "Betty Goes to the Zoo." My mother had it bound. I still have it! I remember feeling the faux-leather cover and thinking, "Wow, this is cool." But, like I said, I never thought I could have a career reading, writing and thinking. I knew I always wanted to help people: specifically young people. I used to want to be a neonatologist, and care for premature babies. But, one day, while volunteering the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) in New Orleans, my favorite patient died. I was devastated. I did not think I could get used to that. And I did not want to. So, I became a health writer. It was my sneaky way of having one foot in the door in medicine, and the other foot in writing. That was my senior year in college. I wrote about every health topic possible for my school newspaper. My school newspaper adviser pulled me aside one day and said I was one of the strongest writers she had seen in years. Of course, I was like, "Who me? The biology pre-med major?" She suggested I apply to her alma mater, Northwestern University. I did. And I got in. I also got into Howard University College of Medicine. I took the cliched road less traveled, and decided to become a professional writer and educator. I have not looked back since.
AL: How did you become a journalist?
PAR: Please see above. I think I "over-answered" that one. LOL.
AL: As someone who written for a wide range of publications, are there any particular topics/issues you like to cover?
PAR: I used to love writing about medical and scientific issues. I thought those fields were the most exciting and dynamic. But at the turn of the century, so many technological advancements made media and Web 2.0 very interesting to me. So, I began writing and researching those areas.
AL: When you're getting ready to write an article what inspires or influences you to write?
PAR: I have had a lot of writer's block lately. The problem with being a journalist writing about journalism is that a lot of it can feel like navel-gazing. Sometimes I question whether the topic is interesting to anyone outside the frantic world of new media. I never had that problem with health. If I was doing a story about a USDA recall on beef, I knew numerous media outlets would be picking it up for mainstream audiences. Everyone in the world eats beef, just about. So sometimes I am a bit self-conscious about having such a niched audience of techies and media educators now. I always second guess whether I am presenting new information. I always want to stay relevant.
AL: What has been your experiences as a female writer in the field of journalism?
PAR: Oh boy! Being a female has been quite interesting. Being a BLACK female has been even more interesting. I have gone on arranged interviews where I have been called the N-word. I have had a white woman at my graduate school tell me I was an affirmative action student, just before she spilled red wine in my lap. But I have also had some pretty amazing experiences too. My first celebrity interview was with then-Senator Hillary Clinton, who called me to the front of the reporter's crowd because she saw I was too short to see over some jerk reporter's head. She gave me a picture afterward. I was so excited! I have also won journalism awards; worked for and with the legendary John H. Johnson of Ebony/JET fame; and, recently, been invited to teach a journalism class to young girls in Johannesburg, South Africa. Journalism has been good to me.
AL: What obstacles or challenges have you faced being a young, African American journalist?
PAR: The biggest challenge has been learning to value myself. I have lots of White, male friends who have worked for powerhouse companies like Google, AOL and the Huffington Post. And they never have problems asking for six-figure salaries. When we talk about that, they tell me that they feel a sense of entitlement: they went to a top-notch school like Northwestern, so they expect top-notch compensation. During those conversations, I consistently remember how the Black self-esteem has endured so many centuries of hurt. I had been afraid to ask for what I was worth for fear someone would tell me I had better go sit down! After all, I was the youngest person in my grad school class, at 21. All my friends there were white, and approaching 30. I was one of two Blacks at Northwestern in 2003. The graduating class had 85 folks in it. It was hard. I guess I still had that fear when I left grad school. I was scared to question the establishment. I was afraid to feel "entitled." Not anymore though! I wrote a $25,000 grant last year, and I won it! That totally helped me believe in myself. I began to charge my consulting clients more money too. This month, for instance, I signed a consulting contract with PBS for $40,000, to create educational digital media material for a documentary that will air in 2012. I remember doubting whether I should charge that much. When I presented the proposal, PBS did not bat an eyelash! So, the lesson I learned is never to undervalue myself again. I love being a Black, female writer. I have a unique voice, and I have an obligation to share it, and teach others to share theirs.
