Welcome to New Genesis. I’m your host, Nia Cross. New Genesis is an audio series about the black woman, reporter and executive experience.
On today’s episode, our creator and host, Nia Cross, reflects on her experience in Los Angeles, California this spring semester and the future of New Genesis.
What do you think your superpower is?
CROSS: I really think my superpower is the ability to connect with people of all different walks of life. I like to say that I’m affable and that has been used to my advantage. A lot of people would say that I am a great networker. They’re like, how do you know this person and that person? I enjoy connecting with people and hearing their stories. I feel like everybody has a story that’s worth telling. And someone’s story helps feed my soul as much as I may do the same for them.
Write your dream job description. If you could do the same thing that you did with your major as with your career and create something; what would it be?
CROSS: I feel like for my career, a dream job would be me being an entrepreneur. I like to create my own things and like to have a little bit of say in what I do and flexibility. My job would also have to be a mix of speaking engagements, entertainment, and service.
What were your biggest takeaways from the Duke in L.A. experience?
CROSS: The biggest takeaways that I’ve learned from my Duke in L.A. experience thus far has really been knowing who I am and standing on that. I remember when I saw this quote that said, I will keep my soul. And that really resonated with me with my experience in L.A., because I feel like there are so many lost souls and everybody is just trying to figure out their way. A lot of people have a very selfish mentality, just trying to be out here to pursue their goals and dreams. Not caring about how the next person is and how their day is going. And I’ve seen so many people go, go, go and break down. So I feel like just being my authentic self and sticking to my morals and values has helped me during this journey.
Lastly, how do you plan to build from what you’ve learned at USC Annenberg and continue New Genesis in the future?
CROSS: Well, I plan to take it all with me. It’s crazy. I obviously can’t take all the people that I’ve been able to work with and learn from through this time. But I feel like now I have the foundation and the blueprint. That’s what Annenberg has really given me. The skills to be able to try something and not be afraid to fail. I started with just an idea in my head, and now it’s come to so much more. It’s honestly mind blowing to me because I didn’t think it would go this far so soon. I plan to surround myself with good people when I get back to Duke, who are going to push me like I’ve been pushed here. The radio coaches, my professor, and my peers have pushed me here. And, I don’t know if I will still be in the niche of black women reporters and executives. I may go into different angles, but I know that the foundation is there and that storytelling is most definitely alive.
That’s a wrap for our final episode of New Genesis at USC Annenberg. Thank you for tuning in and for all of your support. I appreciate you all.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Nia Cross.