Hampton University News May 17, 2017 Hampton University Journalism Graduate is Ready for the Next Step Hampton University's Christina Powell is an outstanding student and rising star. She graduated with her Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Communications and Journalism. "Hampton has been an amazing experience," said Powell. Between my amazing teachers and mentors and the lifelong friendships I've made, I just feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to be a Hampton woman." Powell was admitted to Hampton on a full tuition scholarship. She maintained her dean's list status while working and going to school. She served as Vice President of Hampton's Kappa Tau Alpha national honor society for journalism, Digital Content Manager of the school newspaper, The Hampton Script, and was an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). An honor student from Atlanta, Georgia, Powell found her passion for visual storytelling her freshman year at Hampton through her involvement with the campus television station and her internship as a media production assistant for a local church. "I am eternally grateful for the consistent love and support I've received from my family," said Powell. My parents have always been my main source of encouragement and motivation. My dad is such a hardworking man and inspires me to do my best. My mother has the most beautiful spirit and keeps me grounded." Inspired to expand her skills beyond her traditional broadcast media training to be able to produce for digital outlets, Powell moved to New York City where she accepted two digital media positions: social media intern for the CBS Radio/Play.It podcast Style Scouting with Alia Ahmed-Yahia and digital production intern for the private video production company, Diamond Grade Media. From there, Powell furthered her own videography skills as a student contributor to Stanley Nelson's upcoming 2017 PBS documentary, Tell Them We Are Rising. It was after this that Powell knew she wanted to be a producer. She fell in love with finding innovative ways to tell stories and felt a sense of pride in fostering important conversations. When approached with the opportunity to intern at MSNBC in New York City, Powell jumped at the opportunity. She gained invaluable experience supporting coverage of an ongoing election as well as terrorist attacks, shootings, riots, protests and other breaking news. After the internship, Powell returned to Hampton her senior year and was asked to serve as a Production Assistant for the lifestyle show Coast Live at the local CBS-affiliate, WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia - the 43rd largest media market. Powell believes that, now, it is more imperative than ever that journalists connect with their communities and practice good storytelling. After working in a newsroom in the #1 media market in the country, developing content for numerous digital outlets and analyzing consumer behaviors through social media management, Powell knows what drives compelling content. She aspires to do so as a digital producer after graduation. Powell lives by a simple motto, she said, "Do your best, pray for the rest. Everything I've accomplished and everything I will accomplish is because of God." SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/