Communication majors who are minorities might have a tough time starting their careers in the media, but should not give up, said Clyde Gray, a Cincinnati news anchor.
A reporter for the Cincinnati Channel 9 News, Gray was the keynote speaker at Saturday's communication conference, "Beginning Successful Careers in Communication." Gray, a 20-year veteran of Channel 9, has won several professional awards including two Emmys. With these accomplishments, he said he wants to focus on the "footprints" he leaves behind.
"I've decided that the next generation of journalists and communications professionals is my legacy," he said.
Gray warned students about the challenges presented in a media career. He said current black communication professionals have cleared the path for future communicators.
"Battles we fight in newsrooms today are intended to make sure that you don't have to fight those same battles in newsrooms tomorrow," he said.
In today's society, black journalists could work three times as hard to overcome discrimination and prejudices, he said.
"Anything that you do that's worth doing, be passionate about it or get out," he said. "What we need are thorough professionals who are passionate about what they do."
Career success is more than job status and income — it should be about what can change the world, he said.
"I want to challenge those of you in here who are students to open your eyes," Gray said. "By that I mean to see and understand what's going on around you and use your position as professional communicators to tell everything you see because it's your job."
Gray's speech was a highlight of the day's conference, which Ohio University's Black Student Communication Caucus President, Rebecca Chauncey, said made her happy.
The caucus planned and coordinated the event, which also included seminars about being a minority in a predominately white work environment, breaking into corporate communications, and the choice between graduate school or entering the workforce. Other guest professionals included Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Denise Amos and reporter Shawna Scott Rhone, advertising and marketing services company DDB-Chicago account executive Danielle Robinson, MetroHealth Medical Center's Vice President for Government and Community Relations Paul Patton, and Brian McIntyre of the Ohio News Network.
Chauncey said her favorite part of Gray's speech was his note about opening one's eyes to the world.
"Sometimes we take our daily lives for granted, and I chose the major I did because I want to be able to improve the lives of people of color, the poor and children," she said.
Although it was targeted toward a minority audience, OU junior public relations major JaNelle Ricks said she felt Gray's speech benefited all in attendance.
"There were interesting facts in regards to racism, but it was all very good," she said. "Everyone can take away pieces of his speech for themselves."
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Val Hunt
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*?yay, anchor of Channel 9 News in Cincinnati and Scripps board of trustee member, makes a speech to a small group of people on Saturday in Baker Center as the keynote speaker for the Black Student Communications Caucus communications conference
