Today, we’d like to introduce you to Aria Janel.
Hi Aria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up with my parents and younger brother in Kannapolis, NC, a small town outside of Charlotte. My brother is a civil engineering student at NC State. My mother is working on her doctorate in urban education while working full-time as the VP of a community college back home.
My father is a high school guidance counselor, football coach, and a veteran of the US Army. I also have a dog named Kaizer. He’s been with me through all of my moves, and I love the little family we’ve created. I owe everything I do and have accomplished to them, my family. I knew I wanted to be a journalist when I was in high school. I wanted to do a job where I could tell stories and be a good role model to young Black girls. I studied Communication Studies and Psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. I also attended Keele University, taking classes focusing on film and marketing.
After studying abroad, I did two internships that sealed the deal for me. My internship with Spectrum News showed me the different paths local news could take me and showed me firsthand how much of a difference I could truly make. This is also the place where I met my mentor, who, to this day, continues to push me and challenge me to be my very best. My first job was in Evansville, IN, a small town that encouraged me to work hard and shoot for the stars, about a year and a half into the job I got an offer to move to Cleveland, OH. I didn’t know much about the city, but it became such a huge part of my journey.
There, I had bosses who believed in my artistry and gave me opportunities to learn and grow. So much so that I was offered a job to be a main anchor in Savannah, GA, after only filling in on the anchor desk for less than a year. I owe many of my accomplishments to my family, God, and my drive to always improve. I also would like to thank my friends and family, since I’ve lived a lone for most of my adult life, I have realized how important community is. I truly believe without a community of our own, we are sick.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The road here has not been smooth, and it isn’t now. I am constantly learning more about myself and this industry.
I have had bosses that have lifted me, managers that have told me I’m not good enough, and jobs that have made me feel stuck. I think that’s the hardest part about growing up. You learn that things don’t come without hard work. And even with it, things don’t always go the way you planned.
But you just have to keep moving forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I believe my job as a Journalist is to give a voice to those who feel no one is listening. I do this by highlighting minority groups in my stories and making sure as many sides are represented as possible.
I’ve always thought life was filled with more gray moments than black-and-white clear choices. Because of that, I am always seeing all sides of a situation. Which I believe has created a well-rounded and unbiased journalist.
So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
Follow me on Instagram at @ariajaneltv. Or on Facebook at Aria Janel. You can also send me story ideas at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ariajaneltv
- Facebook: @ariajanel
- Linkedin: @ariajanel
- Twitter: @ariajaneltv
