By Donnovan Bennett
There is no manual that explains how to break into the world of sports journalism as a minority. The usual route through university and internships is there, and I took it. But as I learned the craft and looked for a foothold in the industry, there were very few minorities I had access to that I could ask for guidance. This series, presented in four parts over the course of Black History Month, is an attempt to address that. I reached out to seven established black journalists to get their perspective on the complexities of being a minority journalist. I also offered some thoughts of my own. The panelists were told they could pass on questions and their responses could be as short or long as they desired.
David Amber has been an anchor and reporter for NBA TV Canada, ESPN and CBC. One of the best sideline reporters in the business, he can currently be seen on Hockey Night in Canada.
Morgan Campbell is a sports and business writer for the Toronto Star and a co-host of Fight Network’s Boxing Weekly.
Rosey Edeh made a name for herself working for CNN, MSNBC and NBC’s Early Today. Before her broadcasting career, she represented Canada in the hurdles at three straight Olympics. She’s now back home working for Global.
Jay Harris is an award-winning host for ESPN who has appeared on Sportscenter, Outside The Lines, NFL Live, Baseball Tonight, First Take and Friday Night Fights. Canadian viewers maybe most familiar with his work hosting ESPN Sports Saturday on ABC.
Eric Thomas spent time doing sportscasts for TSN 690 and working as the sports anchor for CTV Montreal. He’s now an anchor on Sportsnet Central.
Perdita Felicien is a retired world champion and Canadian record-holding hurdler. Her broadcasting career began with CHCH and now includes work on CBC’s Pan Am and Olympic Games coverage.
Jason Whitlock has written for ESPN, The Kansas City Star, AOL Sports and Foxsports.com. The award-winning columnist is currently an on-air personality for Fox Sports 1 and blogger for J.School.
Parts one and two of their responses are available here and here. This is part three.
David Amber I remember watching John Saunders on City TV when I was a kid. Also, I loved watching CNN’s old sports highlight show with Fred Hickman. They were very polished, personable and professional, and I was fortunate enough to work with both of them at ESPN, which was very cool. Mark Jones was also a guy I looked up to. He always had, and still has, a legit swagger about him. Both Mark and John went down to the U.S and became big stars there—paving the way for guys like me to get a chance to do the same. I’m grateful for that.
Donnovan Bennett Stuart Scott because his authenticity was both refreshing and reassuring. John Saunders because, as a Canadian, you felt like his victories were yours as well. Saunders’s consistency and depth of knowledge on a wide array of sports are things to be in awe of and strive for.
Morgan Campbell Ralph Wiley. He wrote for Sports Illustrated in the mid to late 1980s. Fantastic writer and social commentator, and one of the first multi-platform standouts. When he left SI to start writing books, he would also show up on shows like Donahue or Arsenio Hall and work the camera like a pro. Talk to African-American sportswriters who grew up in the 1980s about who inspired them and the name Ralph Wiley will come up a lot.
Rosey Edeh Ahmad Rashad.
Eric Thomas Without question, I’m deeply inspired by the late, great Stuart Scott. He did it his way. Growing up in the States—and before the days of PVR—I used to wake up an hour earlier than I had to before school just so that I could catch his entire sportscast. His calm, cool demeanour, the excitement that he brought to sports news, and the way he carried himself were things that I picked up on during every broadcast. Once I got a bit older and started reading about the sacrifices he made to stick to his beliefs and the way that he stood up for himself when others (including his bosses) criticized the language he used on-air for “being too urban,” that’s when my respect for him reached an entirely new level. He created his own spot in the sports realm, and did it on his own terms. And the manner in which he tackled his battle with cancer, leaving behind a wonderful legacy for his two daughters, was as graceful an exit as anyone could ask for.
Jason Whitlock Ralph Wiley is my guy. He was a dear friend and mentor. His fearlessness let me know I could be me in this industry.
Jay Harris Too many to name them all, but I will mention Don Roberts, an anchor at WAVY-TV 10 in Portsmouth, VA. He gave me my first job, in radio. Actually, it was a glorified internship. There was no budget. He told me, “I can’t pay you any money, but I can give you plenty of experience.” I took the experience.
Perdita Felicien Ato Boldon had a remarkable track-and-field career competing for Trinidad and Tobago. He’s now a successful international sports commentator. In 2012, I was slowly transitioning from athlete to broadcaster when a media opportunity fell into my lap. The pay seemed modest when I compared it to what I was used to making as an athlete. I called Ato to get a range for compensation. He didn’t give me a number, but what he gave me was far more valuable. He said not to quibble over dollars, instead take every opportunity and blow it away. Once I proved myself the rewards would follow. I took his advice and it’s been spot-on ever since.
Whitlock Many. Ralph Wiley helped me tremendously. He counselled and mentored me. Bryan Burwell offered me a lot of support early in my career and throughout. Mike Wilbon embraced me from the outset. Neal Scarbrough brought me to ESPN.com originally and gave me a national platform, and later gave me a contract at AOL Sports. Jesse Washington, Danyel Smith and Keith Clinkscales put me on at Vibe Magazine years ago. No one gets very far on their own.
Bennett Duane Forde and Cabbie Richards were influential in both my getting an initial opportunity in the industry and then shaping the journalist I’ve become. I’m not sure I could have had a better education—they graciously allowed me to learn from the best. If Duane Forde didn’t give me an internship or Cabbie didn’t respond to my unsolicited emails when I was a university student, I’m not sure where I’d be. Kevin Weekes has also been a great sounding board and advocate. Although they now work for competitors, they were all outstanding colleagues in the past—and in the present, they remain champions of my success.
Campbell So many. I almost don’t want to start naming them because I’ll miss people, but the folks I’ve met through the National Association of Black Journalists have been invaluable in terms of keeping my career going, keeping me grounded and keeping me inspired. People like Julian Benbow of the Boston Globe, Marcus Vanderberg of Yahoo Sports, J.A. Adande, Adena Andrews and Bomani Jones of ESPN, Jeff Martin formerly of USA Today, Keith Reed formerly of ESPN—I could keep going. All of them, and more, have helped me directly or indirectly.
Edeh Love what you do, make big and bold goals, and get out there and make them happen with sheer will.
Thomas I have three main pieces of advice for aspiring minority journalists. First and foremost, don’t let your race (or anyone else’s for that matter) influence what you do, what you want to do, or how you go about doing it. If you want to cover hockey, don’t let the fact there aren’t as many minorities in the sport deter you from your dream. You don’t want to look back at your journey and say that your personal inhibitions, including not feeling like you belong, kept you from realizing your potential. Second, get ready to grind. Success, no matter your profession or position, does not happen overnight. It takes time, sacrifice and experience. Get used to late nights, early mornings and everything in between. Finally, ask for what you want, keeping in mind that the worst answer someone can give you is no. Even if that’s their response, you’re in the same position you were before you asked.
Amber I would give any aspiring sports journalist the same advice: Chase your dream. Don’t fear rejection. Be prepared for that opportunity and when it comes, be ready to kick that door down!
Whitlock Don’t fall into the trap of believing advocacy/ideological journalism is the right path or solution for black people. If you truly understand the history of the world, if you’re grounded in faith, you know the truth—even the uncomfortable truth—is on our side. We don’t have to fear the truth because our journey here in America makes perfect sense. We simply need the courage and resolve to tell it consistently and without fear.
Bennett Attack the hurdles. Embrace the grind. It’s not going to be easy. If it was everyone would do it. It might be tougher because you are a minority, or female, or for a whole host of other reasons, but there’s no use fixating—that isn’t going to change. Find a way to make your difference a differentiator. Use what makes you unique to your advantage. Realize that adversity and the willingness to go through it separate you from your competition. That’s the sweat equity you have to pay to achieve something great.
Harris To the best of your ability, do you. Be authentic. And learn to write in a conversational, one-on-one style. By the way, it’s the same thing I would tell any aspiring journalist.
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