The Transition: From South Florida to New York City!
"Flashing lights, lights"
At first, my parents didn’t want me to be a journalist because I was the first generation in my household to go to college and my parents are Caribbean …so you can probably guess what they wanted me to pursuit. Be a Medical Doctor, Lawyer, Nurse,
or a Biologist LOL anything but a journalist. They wanted me to seek a career with a "stable" and "promising" pay grade. In the beginning, I used to get frustrated but later understood that they just didn’t want me to have to struggle. My parents sacrificed a lot to make things work out for our family and I’m forever grateful. They also admired how serious and dedicated I was at pursuing my career in journalism.
For as long as I can remember I’ve always been a die hard Kanye West Fan for a multitude of reasons. I mean why wouldn’t I be?! He literally creates the soundtrack to my life! “Flashing Lights” off of his Graduation album is hands down one of my favorite songs of all time.
Like you all don’t understand … That song motivates me from the beat to the lyrics and the story I created in my mind from the very first time I heard the track. If you don’t believe me ask my sister Melissa who thought I was crazy for crying when she played it in her car after my graduation (Honestly… It was her hallmark card that had me at waterworks! LOL). Ever since I was a toddler I always knew I wanted to work as an on-air host and have my name in lights. Growing up as the only child forced me to create my own imaginations so hosting the “Amanda Show” for my teddy bears and any house guest that would entertain my shenanigans made my day!
In college, I had five internships in News, radio and event planning. One of my jobs at one of the radio stations helped navigate me to the very spot I am in today. One summer I took a trip to New York for an internship and it literally changed my entire life. I fell in LOVE with Manhattan and the hustle fueled my ambition! From the minute I touched down I told myself that after graduation I wanted to live here. Today I am celebrating my 3rd anniversary of being in the city and I couldn’t be happier. I’m a strong believer in speaking positive things into existence and me moving to The Big Apple to start my career in broadcast journalism is a testament to what having faith and constant prayer can do. For anyone who has a dream or goal be specific about what it is that you want and positively affirm that it happens. Once you believe and strengthen your faith, step back and watch your dreams manifest! Flashing Lights!
So, let's talk about how my move to New York happened. It was the week after gradation when I received a call from a job I had applied and interviewed for a few months back. The call could not have come at a more perfect time. I was back in my hometown (Miramar, FL) frustrated because I haven’t heard anything back from any job I applied to, and plus my parents were antagonizing me about talks everyday regarding the next steps of my life. I was on the verge of driving back to Orlando to get away from the post grad stress the very minute I got a call to accept a job at BET Networks. What started as a temp job quickly turned into something more permanent, because 3 years later I became a staff member in Production Management and I’m also an on-camera host for the digital Entertainment Show “BET Breaks” Everything really happens when you are about to loose hope and give up. I'm so glad God never gave up on me and for that reason, I will never give up on Him!
Thank you *Prayer Hands*! Blessed !
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