Historic Election Recalled 11/04/2009

I wasn’t born yet when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, but I do remember where I was when the Challenger space shuttle exploded or when planes slammed into the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001 or when then-Sen. Barack Obama was officially elected the 44th president of the United States of America.

On Election Night ‘08, I was working as an online producer at a Nashville television station. A few weeks earlier, Obama and McCain appeared in Music City for one of a handful of presidential debates held around the country. As an online producer, I was charged with writing stories, taking and editing pictures and video and posting all of them before, during and after four nightly newscasts. On Election Night, everything moved more quickly and thankfully I worked alongside dear friend and skilled colleague Angela Gardenhire.

As the election returns came in – Ohio, the Carolinas, the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia) then the polls across the Midwest and finally the West Coast, people started calling the newsroom. Angela and I hurriedly monitored blog posts and filed updates along with our usual tasks. But, at one point, after ABC anchor Charlie Gibson called the election for Obama, I stopped. I excused myself and went into a conference room and cried. When I returned to my desk among the people who called me was my mother. Initially I didn’t recognize her voice, but the caller ID confirmed the source. She was crying, saying she wished my grandfather was alive to witness this feat. She also said she wasn’t sure months ago if she’d ever see this day, but she was glad for it. I added that I was very proud of fellow Americans who stepped away from fear to elect the nation’s first black president.

Last night, HBO aired a documentary produced by actor Edward Norton  that provided behind-the-scenes access to the Obama campaign. I enjoyed reliving Election Night as well as learning about how the campaign affected staff and volunteers.

Can’t Hang Like I Used To 10/23/2009

When I left  my graveyard-shift job this morning, I listened to the Steve Harvey Morning Show  and realized he was broadcasting live from Howard University  for homecoming. The campus was a few minutes drive from my workplace so I drove over, thinking it would be fun to watch the show. Two things quickly became apparent to me: One, I forget how to get around the campus and two, I can’t hang like I used to. I was running on a few hours sleep and could feel Mr. Sandman calling my name. But I went over to Cramton Auditorium anyway, guided by a phone call to a dear friend/Howard alumnus.

And I’m glad I went because I enjoyed the off-air antics of the bestselling author and comedian particularly as he clowned a young lady about her cooking or his sidekick nephew’s critique of the “Balloon Boy” saga or his challenge for women to dance to the go-go classic “Da’ Butt.” Harvey also wondered how the upcoming entertainment line-up for homecoming didn’t seem to include any go-go performances, a highly percussive and interactive music form rooted in the metropolitan D.C. area. 

I also loved the sound check and performance of singer Ledisi who opened an inspiring song about faith and later, her comments about holding on despite enduring setbacks. Harvey noted that special blessings God has for you are often on the other side of breaking points, that the tests produce testimonies.

Acclaimed actress Taraji P. Henson , an alumnus, also appeared and she candidly talked about following her dreams and being mindful of the company you keep. She joked about avoiding people with funky dispositions or dark clouds hanging over them because don’t think “it won’t rain on you” if you’re standing beside them. When asked whether she could foresee her current success, the Oscar-nominated actress said she had to visualized a vision of achievement, one implanted by her late father who constantly let her know that she has to dream it before she can see it come to fruition.

With struggling loved ones in mind today, I want to consider the message of Ledisi’s song, “It’s Alright,”  which she wrote when she slept on the floor and felt like she was the furthest away from her goals, purpose.

Joshua DuBois Discusses His Faith, Mission in Obama Administration 07/03/2009

ASME Adds Obama Cover to Annual Contest 06/05/2009

Courtesy of www.magazine.org/asme/index.aspx

This year, the American Society of Magazine Editors expanded its annual Best Cover Contest to include a category for magazine covers featuring President Barack Obama. Friday is the deadline for submissions for the contest hosted by Amazon. The online retailer’s customers will vote for the finalists nominated by a panel of judges composed of magazine editors, design directors, art directors and photo editors.

To learn more about the contest, click here. The winning magazine covers will be announced at the first-ever Magazine Innovation Summit  in October in New York City .