The Howard University Association of Black Journalists (HUABJ) invited Cache McClay, the inaugural Beyoncé reporter, to speak to students during the last week of October. This was one of several events they hosted as part of their “The Beat Goes On” programming, which catered towards both students within the school of communications and official HUABJ members on different journalism beats.
McClay is a Howard University graduate and member of the class of 2017. She studied media, journalism and film while being involved with many organizations on campus during her time at Howard. She pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. participated in on campus pageants and was on a modern dance team. She also held several of internships during her undergraduate experience, ranging from the 2016 Rio Olympics to NBC News.
The event was hosted in Howard’s WHUT television studio. It began with remarks from the dean of the Cathy Hughes School of Communications (CHSOC), Kimberly Moffitt and Associate Professor Jennifer Thomas. This event is part of a newly developed speaker series put together by Dean Moffitt for students within CHSOC.
Rasiah Worthy, president of HUABJ, moderated the discussion. She asked questions about McClay’s experience as a Howard student, what life has looked like post graduation and what advice she had for students interested in breaking into the entertainment sector of journalism.
Students said they felt inspired by McClay and took away valuable insight to help them as they continue their journalistic endeavors.
Xen Gadsden, a freshman journalism major from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, learned from McClay to not take ‘no’ as an answer when it comes to his future.
“My number one takeaway is that no is never the end. You can get a thousand no’s but you just need that one yes to get your foot in the door,” Gadsden said.
Gadsden wished to see more of his peers at the event, but he understood that students may have needed time to recover from the weekend’s Homecoming celebrations.
“Personally I was expecting more people to be here. The only person who’s entire job is to report on Beyoncé, I feel like at a school like Howard there’d be a lot more people who’d be interested and just come see what’s up,” he said.
Following the discussion on stage, students were given the opportunity to ask questions directly to McClay. She gave thorough and complete answers to each student, and frequently made sure she addressed every aspect of the questions asked.
Lyric Saulsberry, a sophomore journalism major from Youngstown, Ohio, felt a special connection to McClay’s story after hearing the discussion. She learned that both her and McClay came from the same hometown after asking her own question during the question and answer portion of the event.
“As a journalism student who came from a hometown that doesn’t really produce as many Black journalists, [this visit] really, truly meant something to me because I feel like sometimes I get in my own head” she said.
McClay reminded Saulsberry that a successful career is within her reach despite the environment she grew up in.
“She’s an hour away from home for me, it’s like wow — you’re a Black woman and you made it this far. You made it to Howard, [and] after Howard you kept pushing yourself.”
McClay’s visit inspired many students who attended the event, and her shared knowledge is sure to leave an overall impact on the School of Communications.
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore
