June 28...

It was all good just a week ago...

           A bitter-sweet feeling is left after a long propitious day. It began when the Reid Group was granted the opportunity to have an insinuate conversation with Michael Jack, President and General Manager of NBC New York. His affable persona relaxed the stiff vibe as he escorted himself inside the chilled room.

"Suck it up" advised Mr. Jack, annotating the management of his personal life and having the ultimate responsibility of keeping the network afloat. He administered wisdom in such an admirable manner that I could not resist capturing every word his mouth uttered. When the hour abruptly concluded, it felt as if a personal consultation had concluded prematurely. 

            While Mr. Jack articulated vital requirements for a efficacious career in media. Ms. Sharmyne Jenkins made critical notations of our interaction with the general manager and overall appearance. She provided key lifestyle bullet points that as African-American women must remain cautious of while working in corporate America. I was enthused to get knowledgeable advice on black hair in corporations. Often at times I become apprehensive with having dreadlocks while on my pursuit and wonder will my hairstyle preference become a hindrance.

            While writing this blog, I occasionally glance up at the television to enjoy the VH1 special on best 90s R&B songs, which is keeping me entertained, since TV has been a major deprivation over the last three weeks. I immediately became beatific when Ms. Lola Ogunnaike randomly pops up on the screen one of the commentators. Garishly I announced it in the empty common area that I had just been her earlier today. At that very moment it settled in that the Reid Group are exposed to extraordinary people on a daily basis that are triumphant in the media industry, and they are all pouring information into our lives to make us just as exquisite. She brought several magazines that featured articles that she had written, providing a variation of writing styles that differed per publication. Ms. Ogunnaike reflected on horror stories of writer's block that she experienced throughout her career, made her more relatable coining her as one of the favorites.

            Of course, Ms. Terri Martin is always a delight with her straight to the point attitude that protrudes her personality. The scripts were provided are definitely going to get plastered on my walls in plain sight as a reference when writing for broadcast radio and television. The exercise of writing for broadcast that we had to complete today was essential for me to comprehend when trying to produce news segments.

            All went sour when the day concluded and Ms. Reid trudged in the conference room announcing unexpectedly the departure of one of the interns. No one uttered a word as the unfortunate earful was informed. It felt as if a comrade had been annihilated during a crusade as empathy began to sink in. I never would have thought that one of the "originals" would be exiled and although it was gut-wrenching reality; it was also an embarrassing reflection on the group as a whole. It serves as a harsh but accurate reminder that nothing is owed to those that do not earn it and becoming too comfortable in intense atmospheres might just send you to the chopping block.