THE BYLINE- APRIL 2024 ISSUE
April is the month of blossoming and resurgence. It’s also the month to celebrate arts, culture & creativity. Entering a new quarter of the year brings much needed reflection and motivation to us as we continue to carry out the goals we’ve set for ourselves. Journalism is so broad of a field that creativity, authenticity and alignment are the biggest factors in navigating your niche. Measuring success by their own meter, this issue highlights three professionals who have used their journalistic talents in creative ways to excel in a league of their own.
Celebrate Arts, Culture & Creativity in Atlanta
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival April 12-14th at Piedmont Park
- Atlanta Film Festival begins April 25th
- Inman Park Festival April 27-28th
Enjoy exhibits from local museums and galleries such as The High Museum, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA), The Atlanta History Center, The APEX Museum, ZuCot Gallery, Trap Music Museum, The King Center, Black Art in America, Spelman College Museum of Fine Art & Clark Atlanta Art Museum.
Announcements
- Our next meeting is April 13th at noon at WSB-TV Studios. We can’t wait to see you there!
- Congratulations to the iN Contact team for producing their first show for 2024!
- Thank you to everyone who attended the memorial service for the late Mr. James Washington. Read about his legacy & impact here.
- NABJ Upcoming Events:
- April 12-13th: NABJ Region 3 Conference, Tulsa, OK
- April 20th: NABJ Emerging Journalists Media Institute & Investigative Reporting Summit, New York, NY
- July 31st – Aug 4th: NABJ National Convention, Chicago, IL
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How Ashley Drayton is Paving Her Own Path
By: Dante Miller
When journalists start their careers, it can be difficult for some to find their niche, especially for those who want to avoid the ‘news’ path. But Ashley Drayton knew from a young age what outlets and beats she wanted to work with; magazines and fashion. Instead of waiting for a path to open, she created her own.
“I was collecting magazines as a child. I read them all the time. I had dreams of being in Teen Vogue. So I already had this childhood attachment to magazines.”
Because of her attachment, Drayton continuously wondered how she could create magazine publications for her alma mater, Georgia State University, as a student.
“Georgia State actually did not have a magazine. I was on Twitter, and this page called ‘Her Campus’ popped up on my feed. I was like, ‘Oh, look at this cute pink organization!’ I went to the website and saw ‘Start your own chapter,’ and it started from there. It launched in 2015 and is still a very prevalent organization today. That was my first experience writing for a magazine,” said Drayton.
After starting ‘Her Campus’ for Georgia State, Drayton’s experience continued to grow, from working with another digital magazine to starting her blog for a time. In 2020, Drayton found herself scrolling through the internet and found a page that piqued her interest. She ran across CNK’s (Chicks n’ Kicks) Instagram page. CNK is a woman-owned digital publication that discusses women in the sneaker industry, which is very male-dominated.
“I loved that these two women, Channing and Cassidy, have this platform and are using it to tell stories about women who work in the industry.” Despite not having prior experience writing about sneakers, Drayton wanted to jump out of her comfort zone and see what opportunities would follow–and it paid off.
Since 2021, Drayton has been a freelance writer and editor for CNKDaily.com. In addition to her writing, she is also an assistant manager for Kate Spade New York.
She says juggling everything can be a lot, but scheduling and open communication are necessary.
“I write everything down and have everything on my phone, like reminders and deadlines. If I say I am showing up, I make sure that I have the time to and will show up. Sometimes, that means I bring my computer to work to do stuff on my break.”
Drayton said everyone’s path is different and has their own timeline. She encourages people to pave their path if that road is initially closed, whether you’re freelancing, creating a website, or writing a blog.
“Keep your experience up, so when the time comes when someone asks for your stuff, you’re ready. I’m at a point where my writing is about to pivot into brand writing. I’m trying to combine retail and writing and venture into the copywriting route. As far as a career goes, that’s something I’m interested in, and I don’t think I would have known that if I didn’t work in retail.”
Drayton is still paving her path by combining her interests & expertise into one. She says that this chapter in her career will definitely start from the bottom up, but she looks forward to what her future holds. To follow her writing journey, check out her portfolio here.
Garrett Brown on What Versatility in the Industry Looks Like
By: Da’Zhane Johnson
At a young age, Garrett Brown became an NBA fan and followed the Atlanta Hawks closely. The hobby of watching the sport helped him decide on a career path in media. Today, Brown works as a content manager, mediacaster and on-air podcast host of his show, while managing his day job at Delta Airlines.
“I’ve always loved watching basketball and the Atlanta Hawks. Now, I am able to cover them every week, which is cool. Like anything there have been some challenges to get to this place, but it’s just a part of the journey.” said Brown.
The Georgia native spends his weeks managing four different media roles. Two of them are social media management roles. Although these roles require a sacrifice of time, Brown believes his work will cultivate a bigger job for himself. Brown also highlights his hard work and goal-driven mindset can lead to the longevity of his career.
“When creating ‘TheGB3Show,’ there were challenges, but it was something I wanted to do.I had to put in many hours, but it happened exactly how I envisioned it. Working with my co-host has also taught me a lot,” he said.
Brown’s development of multiple skill sets reflects how competitive the media industry is today. He shared how outside of content creation for social media, he’s learned producing, writing and sound engineering. When asked about the next chapter of his career, Brown explained he will become more versatile as an on-air talent.
“I want to do more work with engineering,” he started. “I’m really looking to expand my podcast and role as a mediacaster. Hopefully as more people continue to tune in, I can stream more and more.”
Although versatility is significant, managing multiple skills and roles can be challenging. Nonetheless, Brown stated with time management and organization, anyone can grasp success. Brown mentioned how he takes time to plan his weeks in advance so that his schedule goes completely smoothly. The key, he highlights, is to not procrastinate at all.
“If you can, do it early. The earlier the better. You don’t want everything to pile up, so it’s better to get stuff out of the way, he said. “I will block out time just to plan my weeks or game days.”
Today, it is common to see people in the media tackle various skills. Brown still wants to emphasize the significance of mastering the basic skills as a foundation. Skills like writing, reading and studying the industry are all significant building blocks for undertaking new talents.
Brown explained further, “Writing, reading and studying the industry will help anyone become more versatile. Writing is especially big at any job. Keeping those skills intact will allow everything else to flow smoother and keep opportunities coming your way.”
Overall, versatility comes with time and dedication. Brown hopes his peers can continue moving forward in their journeys, without stressing too much about mastering multiple skills.
To keep up with Brown, follow him on Instagram @iam.gb_ or X @therealgb__
Ebonee Bailey Proves Diverse Interests Can Lead to a Fulfilling Career
By: Aaleah McConnell
If you ever felt stifled by the thought of choosing a single career, then snag a page from the textbook of this Dekalb County teacher, who manages to educate by day and create by night.
Ebonee Bailey is an interrelated co-teacher for the Dekalb County School District and creative director for an Atlanta-based collective called Creatives After Dark. At 27-years-old, Bailey sits at the helm of her classroom from Monday to Friday, providing unique lesson plans and accommodations for children with special needs.
When school lets out, Bailey spends the evenings coordinating and conducting artist interviews, brainstorming themes for Creatives After Dark events, and designing marketing materials. Not to mention, the occasional freelance article she takes on for various music publications such as Flurry, an Afrocentric media platform that produces a biannual online magazine.
Bailey, like many people, considers herself a multipotentialite. These individuals take up an interest in various intellectual and creative disciplines but rarely develop their expertise in more than one area of interest. So the question of which career to settle on presents a challenge for many in this group. For it often means sacrificing one passion over another. Or, having to carve out a new path that consolidates each interest into one, hopefully, lucrative career.
Though Bailey says she loves teaching and appreciates “the acquisition of knowledge,” as she continues down two different career paths, she is no stranger to the anxiety-inducing, tug-and-pull of pursuing multiple creative endeavors.
In sticking with the artistic theme, Bailey compares her multifaceted nature to the color orange, because while some may settle for living in the dull, predictable gray – Bailey thrives in the bold, orange glow of her whimsical life.
“You don’t know what to expect when you get orange, and I feel the same about myself,” Bailey said. “I could be doing my hair, I could be talking to my friends. I could be doing anything and [an idea] will pop up. Once I get that idea, I fixate on it.”
But Bailey said her roles have quite a bit of overlap. As a fourth-generation educator, Bailey emphasizes educating Black artists, writers and musicians about the culture of mass media as they carve out their own space in Atlanta’s creative scene.
And Bailey understands that the issue of not knowing how to balance multiple passions has roots in the classroom, she said just as her students need to see their culture represented in the curriculum to achieve academic success, professional artists need to see themselves reflected in the different creative mediums in which they aspire to excel.
“Getting into this [field], you realize a lot of people are not media trained at all, they just start doing music because it’s something that they love to do,” Bailey said. “The beautiful thing is I’m teaching artists marketing and public relations.”
“Through Creatives After Dark, I’m building a platform where Black women (and all Black people) are allowed to express themselves professionally,” Bailey said. “Creatives After Dark shines a spotlight on our people in a way that teaches our community to love ourselves, just the way we are.”
Establishing a seat at the proverbial table for Black artists is a goal Bailey clings to with all her might. Though Bailey remains adaptable and open to her synchronistic instincts, she believes focus is key to any creative routine.
That requires a strong ability to concentrate and manage time wisely on self-guided projects, which is challenging for those who jump from interest to interest. Therefore, Bailey suggests planning a few small tasks to complete each day.
“I focus on getting three things done every day. It doesn’t matter what those three things are. It’s just, every single day, something different from what I did yesterday,” Bailey said.
Bailey adds that, with structure and self-confidence, multi-talented people inevitably find their glow.
To stay up-to-date with Creatives After Dark, visit their website: creativesafterdark.us, and follow them on Instagram @creativesafterdark. Connect with Ebonee Bailey on Instagram @theefinestebonee.
This issue of The Byline was edited by Mya Grant, Vice President of Print for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ), and Mandisa Johnson, Chair of The Byline.
(Pictured: Lisa Rayam)
(Pictured: Ericka Wilson)
(Pictured: Ernie Suggs)
(Pictured: Faith Jessie)
(Pictured: Shumuriel Ratliff)
(Pictured: Nichole Owens)-Photo Courtesy of The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta
Pictured Left, Sharon Johnson
Pictured Left, Jill Cox-Cordova
(Pictured Left: Donnell Suggs with his family)
(Pictured Left: Tyrik Wynn)
Ida B. Wells was an investigative reporter, educator, and early leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Wells was also one of the founding members of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Wells co-owned and wrote for the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper. Her reporting covered incidents of racial segregation and inequality. Wells studied at Rust College and Fisk University. In the 1890s, Wells documented lynching in the United States in articles and through her pamphlets called Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in all its Phases, and The Red Record, investigating frequent claims of whites that lynchings were reserved for Black criminals only. Well’s pamphlet was needed to show people the truth about this violence and advocate for justice for African Americans in the South. Wells was outspoken regarding her beliefs as a Black female activist and was active in women’s rights and the women’s suffrage movement, establishing several notable women’s organizations. A skilled and persuasive speaker, Wells traveled nationally and in 2020 was posthumously honored with a Pulitzer Prize special citation for her outstanding and courageous reporting on the horrific and vicious violence against African Americans during the era of lynching.
Xernona Clayton is an American civil rights leader and broadcasting executive. During the Civil Rights Movement, she worked for the National Urban League and Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where she became involved in the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1967, Clayton became the first Southern African American to host a daily prime time talk show. The show was broadcast on WAGA-TV in Atlanta and was renamed, The Xernona Clayton Show. Clayton joined Turner Broadcasting in 1979 as a producer of documentary specials. In the 1980s, she served as director of public relations for Turner Broadcasting. In 1988, Turner Broadcasting promoted Clayton to corporate vice president for urban affairs, assigning her to direct Turner projects and serve as a liaison between Turner Broadcasting and civic groups in Atlanta and throughout the country. In 1993, Clayton, with Turner Broadcasting, created the Trumpet Awards to honor achievements of African Americans. She serves as the chair, president, and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation that was formed in late 2004. In early 2004, Clayton created the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. Clayton is a graduate of Tennessee State University and the University of Chicago. March 2023, she was honored with a statue in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.
Ethel. L. Payne was an American journalist, editor, and foreign correspondent. Known as the “First Lady of the Black Press,” she fulfilled many roles over her career, including columnist, commentator, lecturer, and freelance writer. She combined advocacy with journalism as she reported on the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s. Her perspective as an African American woman informed her work, and she became known for asking questions others dared not ask. First published in The Chicago Defender in 1950, she worked for that paper through the 1970s, becoming the paper’s Washington correspondent and an editor for over 25 years. She became the first female African American commentator employed by a national network when CBS hired her in 1972. In addition to her reporting of American domestic politics, she also covered international stories, and worked as a syndicated columnist. In 2022, the White House Correspondents’ Association created the Dunnigan-Payne Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of Payne and fellow White House reporter Alice Dunnigan.
Dorothy Pearl Butler Gilliam is an American journalist who was the first African American female reporter at The Washington Post. When Gilliam was in her first year at Ursuline College (later merged with Bellarmine University) she worked as a secretary for the weekly Louisville Defender, an African American newspaper, and at 17 years old became its society reporter. She transferred to a historically black college with a journalism program, graduating cum laude from Lincoln University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In 1957, she became a reporter for the Memphis Tri-State Defender, part of the Chicago Defender chain. While covering a story about the “Little Rock Nine” in Little Rock, Arkansas, she met an editor from Jet and soon became a reporter for the Johnson Publishing Company’s news magazine. She earned her master’s degree at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and was hired by The Washington Post. She has been an activist dedicated to public service, from her days helping to organize protests against the New York Daily News after it fired two-thirds of its African American staff, to her tenure as president of the National Association of Black Journalists. Gilliam founded Prime Movers Media, the nation’s first journalism mentorship program for underserved students at urban schools. She has been honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Washington Press Club and The National Center for Health Research.
Oprah Winfrey is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor. She is best known for her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, broadcast from Chicago, which ran in national syndication for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011. Winfrey has been dubbed the “Queen of All Media.” She was the richest African American of the 20th century and was once the world’s only black billionaire. By 2007, she was often ranked as the most influential woman in the world. Winfrey is a graduate of Tennessee State University. She got a job in radio while still in high school. By 19, she was a co-anchor for the local evening news. Winfrey later transferred to the daytime talk show arena, and after boosting a third-rated local Chicago talk show to first place, she launched her own production company. By the mid-1990s, Winfrey had reinvented her show with a focus on literature, self-improvement, mindfulness, and spirituality. She has been praised for overcoming adversity to become a benefactor to others. In 2013, Winfrey was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama and received honorary doctorate degrees from Duke and Harvard. In 2008, she formed her own network, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Credited with creating a more intimate, confessional form of media communication, Winfrey popularized and revolutionized the tabloid talk show genre pioneered by Phil Donahue. In 1994, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Winfrey has won many accolades throughout her career which includes 18 Daytime Emmy Awards (including the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman’s Award), two Primetime Emmy Awards (including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award), a Tony Award, a Peabody Award, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award awarded by the Academy Awards, in addition to two competitive Academy Award nominations. Winfrey was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021.
