Women Journalists of Color: Present Without Power
Advice to Young Women Journalists of Color

"Understand any organization's commitment to diversity before you join it. Are there support networks for journalists of color? Will it be difficult to become one of the top reporters if that is your goal? These are important questions that will help determine your comfort level at a job and in turn help you find out if you will be successful."

"Get into this business for the right reasons. Do it because you care about informing your viewers, and work, work, work. Be the best-read, most well-informed, and most scrupulous journalist you can be."

"Make your work support your life; don't change your life to support your work."

"Remember that even though managers-no matter what their color-may not always understand where you are coming from, I do believe that in this day and age, they want to at least hear your opinion. They will if they are good managers. And not to be afraid to give a different perspective or spin."

"Ask for, and receive non-defensively (while asking lots of questions) feedback on your work, especially from other women and women journalists of color."

"Talent and hard work triumph over anything."

"Be prepared to be treated like you're taking a job away from someone white. No matter how over-qualified or how low-paying the job, in our colleagues eyes we are always taking a job from someone white or more qualified. And be prepared to spend at least the first five years of your career working in newsrooms full of recent college graduates who swear you're there just because you're black and they know more than you."

"Be confident, smart, fearless."

"I would tell all young women of color that race is not an issue most of the time, but when it is an issue, it's a doozy! I will and do tell them this is their time to go for it; do internships, get clips, put together good tapes, and push for that first big job. What I wish I could tell them directly and what I try to tell them as subtly as possible is, 'Don't get married and don't get pregnant.' This business, not to mention this nation, still hasn't figured out what to do about working moms."

"Tell young women of color to be true to themselves and their values and they will go far. Initially, get the lay of the land on any job, but once that is accomplished, do not fear rocking the boat because it needs to be rocked and we're the ones to do it. Never allow anyone, including your boss, to abuse you in any way. Show respect to others and demand respect from them. Try to be the best you can be every day, but never show anyone who can hurt you any lack of confidence or self-doubt. If you don't like the job you're in or the boss you're working for, don't wait for things to change, try changing them yourself, even if it means switching jobs. Be flexible about your own personal definition of success."

"Be proud of who you are and where you came from. Never feel ashamed if you think you get a job or promotion where the color of your skin or ethnicity is a factor. Unfortunately, there are many jobs you will not get because of how you look, especially in television. So when you do get one, enjoy it, be happy, and make us proud!"