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One On One
Nija Black- Radio Role Model
The click of the light switch, the sound of the microphones and the blinking of the phone lines is the beginning of daily task that requires dedication. As you write down various topics and peruse thru various emails and articles, you began to shape the day that is ahead.
This is all a part of Nija Black daily task. Being a radio personality is far more than just a daily greeting and spilling of jokes and/or gossip. Nija Black is an example of how dedication and perseverance pays off.
Born in Manhattan, New York, but never living in the city until her teenage years, Nija's family moved to North Carolina. For someone with her eyes set solidly on the ultimate success, a rural town was not going to be able to stifle the volcanic tremors that inwardly quietly rippled.
Even though she would not touch a microphone until she pursued a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Mass Communication Studies, Nija never strayed away from where heart would eventually lead her - on the air and in front of the camera.
She took a spot as a co host on a local college radio show. And soon realized she wanted more when she "popped the mic". Interviewing local artists left her feeling as if she were just skimming the top of the surface of the airwaves, while dedicated radio personalities were steadily "going in."
"Working on my first radio show was a great experience, but I was always feeling that I was not utilizing all of my talents," Nija exclaims. She further states, "Local artists working the underground circuit are amazing to watch and be a part of, but who wouldn't want to roll with the heavy hitters in the industry? I am forever grateful to Lolethia "DL" Underdue for giving me my shot on the air".
This is all a part of Nija Black daily task. Being a radio personality is far more than just a daily greeting and spilling of jokes and/or gossip. Nija Black is an example of how dedication and perseverance pays off.
Born in Manhattan, New York, but never living in the city until her teenage years, Nija's family moved to North Carolina. For someone with her eyes set solidly on the ultimate success, a rural town was not going to be able to stifle the volcanic tremors that inwardly quietly rippled.
Even though she would not touch a microphone until she pursued a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Mass Communication Studies, Nija never strayed away from where heart would eventually lead her - on the air and in front of the camera.
She took a spot as a co host on a local college radio show. And soon realized she wanted more when she "popped the mic". Interviewing local artists left her feeling as if she were just skimming the top of the surface of the airwaves, while dedicated radio personalities were steadily "going in."
"Working on my first radio show was a great experience, but I was always feeling that I was not utilizing all of my talents," Nija exclaims. She further states, "Local artists working the underground circuit are amazing to watch and be a part of, but who wouldn't want to roll with the heavy hitters in the industry? I am forever grateful to Lolethia "DL" Underdue for giving me my shot on the air".
After receiving the green light to host her own show, Nija created "Aphrodisiac Soul" and enlisted the help of two new co-hosts to make the show an instant hit. She began building her resume and her innovative spirit and determination paid off.
"I knew I was not in a major market, and that proved to be difficult, but it was not impossible. "I was shut down by many people I reached out to, but in the end, I was victorious in what I set out to do," Nija profoundly states.
With the completion of her Master's of Arts in Media and Communication on the horizon, Nija feels her creative drive building once again, and is looking forward to dusting off a microphone once again.
"My grandmother used to say, 'Baby your mouth will be your ruin,' and 'That little pink thing in your mouth is going to get you into trouble,'" says Nija. "Now I'm saying look at me now Mama Hattie, I'm working hard to make you proud of me every day. I'm working hard to make what comes out of my mouth become a part of my destiny."
Recently, Nija and I conversated about her life and how she overcame the stigmas attached to being a woman in a male dominated industry.
Hello, My Friend, how are you?
Hi, Darian, I am well thank you for asking. It is an honor to be interviewed for your blog.
I must ask, how did you find yourself in the arena of Radio?
My stint in radio began as a favor to a friend. He knew someone that was looking for a co-host for his show. At first I wasn’t interested, but I have rarely told him no when it came to
What inspired you to get into the Radio Industry?
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be in entertainment. In fact, I can remember taking a career assessment test in high school and disc jockey was one of the careers. I wasn’t so sure about that profession at the time, but life is so funny and things that you think or say you will not do, do not necessarily turn out that way.
Who are some of your favorite DJ's and or Role Models?
I have to be honest and say I really do not have any favorite DJs. However, I always respect those that work hard to produce good work on the airwaves, and realize that they do not have to be malicious to be successful.
As far as my role models, I favor people that I know and have close personal relationships with over entertainers or celebrities that I have not had the opportunity to meet. Everyone that has touched my life in a positive way, I consider my role models.
What are you doing to give back to the community?
My goal is to begin a movement that empowers black girls and women. We are such an incredible and dynamic force, and with all the negative images that are on display, I think we forget that were are from queens. It is time that we reclaim our crowns.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 Years?
I see myself on a syndicated radio show with television following thereafter. Also, I want to get working hard in the entertainment world in public relations.
How have you dealt with the highs and lows of your career?
It was extremely difficult working at a college radio station that did not have the familiarity of other schools. For every yes I received, I had probably 20 more people saying no.
The most difficult time for me was when my brother died. I had no desire to continue my education or anything else and to say my world was shattered would be an understatement. I had absolutely no desire to continue in radio or anything else for that matter, but once again, what I said and felt was not what was to be.
Around this time I was able to get two major interviews with Mary J. Blige and Jamie Foxx. Both were dropping what turned out to be chart-topping album and they have no idea what they did for me on a personal and professional level.
What would you say to an up and coming Radio/DJ and/or Mass Communication Major fresh out of school?
Never think anything is impossible, because you can achieve it once you truly believe within your heart and soul. You have to have talent but with that talent you have to have so much more in terms of determination and ambition.
What are 5 key things a woman and man should always remember in the area of Mass Communication?
The five key things I feel that should be remembered in all aspects, even past the area of communication would be:
1. Maintain your integrity
2. Remain loyal to who you are.
3. Never rest on your laurels.
4. Strive to make your own way.
5. Define the game and don’t let the game define you.
What would you say to that person who is believing to make an imprint in the industry? How to stay grounded and humbled?
I stay grounded and humbled, because I know that with all things that I do and will do they are blessings. It is not a given, it is truly because a higher power has decided to touch my life in a way that no man or woman can. That knowledge keeps me with my feet firmly planted, because I recognize that with all that I am given, in a blink of an eye it can all be taken away.
I also have a good team of people that surround me and they knew me when all I had were dreams, and believed that they were to become a reality. When it all becomes a reality, that is what I will remember most – the love that I had before the flashing lights.
"I knew I was not in a major market, and that proved to be difficult, but it was not impossible. "I was shut down by many people I reached out to, but in the end, I was victorious in what I set out to do," Nija profoundly states.
With the completion of her Master's of Arts in Media and Communication on the horizon, Nija feels her creative drive building once again, and is looking forward to dusting off a microphone once again.
"My grandmother used to say, 'Baby your mouth will be your ruin,' and 'That little pink thing in your mouth is going to get you into trouble,'" says Nija. "Now I'm saying look at me now Mama Hattie, I'm working hard to make you proud of me every day. I'm working hard to make what comes out of my mouth become a part of my destiny."
Recently, Nija and I conversated about her life and how she overcame the stigmas attached to being a woman in a male dominated industry.
Hello, My Friend, how are you?
Hi, Darian, I am well thank you for asking. It is an honor to be interviewed for your blog.
I must ask, how did you find yourself in the arena of Radio?
My stint in radio began as a favor to a friend. He knew someone that was looking for a co-host for his show. At first I wasn’t interested, but I have rarely told him no when it came to
What inspired you to get into the Radio Industry?
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be in entertainment. In fact, I can remember taking a career assessment test in high school and disc jockey was one of the careers. I wasn’t so sure about that profession at the time, but life is so funny and things that you think or say you will not do, do not necessarily turn out that way.
Who are some of your favorite DJ's and or Role Models?
I have to be honest and say I really do not have any favorite DJs. However, I always respect those that work hard to produce good work on the airwaves, and realize that they do not have to be malicious to be successful.
As far as my role models, I favor people that I know and have close personal relationships with over entertainers or celebrities that I have not had the opportunity to meet. Everyone that has touched my life in a positive way, I consider my role models.
What are you doing to give back to the community?
My goal is to begin a movement that empowers black girls and women. We are such an incredible and dynamic force, and with all the negative images that are on display, I think we forget that were are from queens. It is time that we reclaim our crowns.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 Years?
I see myself on a syndicated radio show with television following thereafter. Also, I want to get working hard in the entertainment world in public relations.
How have you dealt with the highs and lows of your career?
It was extremely difficult working at a college radio station that did not have the familiarity of other schools. For every yes I received, I had probably 20 more people saying no.
The most difficult time for me was when my brother died. I had no desire to continue my education or anything else and to say my world was shattered would be an understatement. I had absolutely no desire to continue in radio or anything else for that matter, but once again, what I said and felt was not what was to be.
Around this time I was able to get two major interviews with Mary J. Blige and Jamie Foxx. Both were dropping what turned out to be chart-topping album and they have no idea what they did for me on a personal and professional level.
What would you say to an up and coming Radio/DJ and/or Mass Communication Major fresh out of school?
Never think anything is impossible, because you can achieve it once you truly believe within your heart and soul. You have to have talent but with that talent you have to have so much more in terms of determination and ambition.
What are 5 key things a woman and man should always remember in the area of Mass Communication?
The five key things I feel that should be remembered in all aspects, even past the area of communication would be:
1. Maintain your integrity
2. Remain loyal to who you are.
3. Never rest on your laurels.
4. Strive to make your own way.
5. Define the game and don’t let the game define you.
What would you say to that person who is believing to make an imprint in the industry? How to stay grounded and humbled?
I stay grounded and humbled, because I know that with all things that I do and will do they are blessings. It is not a given, it is truly because a higher power has decided to touch my life in a way that no man or woman can. That knowledge keeps me with my feet firmly planted, because I recognize that with all that I am given, in a blink of an eye it can all be taken away.
I also have a good team of people that surround me and they knew me when all I had were dreams, and believed that they were to become a reality. When it all becomes a reality, that is what I will remember most – the love that I had before the flashing lights.
In this life, there are some people you encounter whose presence changes your life and others who don’t make a difference. I am more than certain that anyone who comes into the presence of Nija Black will walk away an empowered person.
That makes her a Bonafide Role Model!!
http://twitter.com/nijaBlaque
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