Meet Bella May | Journalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bella May and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bella, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
My mentality makes me successful, I believe. For me, success is subjective and has nothing to do with monetary value, but rather with how you see yourself. In my mind, what’s for me is what’s for me, and I don’t take things too seriously. In my job as a journalist, opportunities come and go and that’s fine. Trying to control everything in my life would drive me insane and leave me with little satisfaction when things don’t go according to plan. As a result, I don’t make plans, but rather let them make me. This is why I’m successful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an upcoming journalist, I am in one of the most competitive fields. People are either looking for me to fail or succeed in this. The two are often intertwined for me, and I am able to learn from my failures and turn them into successes. It’s what sets me apart. In high school, I took a class on Audio Video Technology and Film taught by Mr. Phelps, which made me know I wanted to be a journalist. My friend Katie introduced me to this class even though I had no idea what it was about. As part of this class, we would learn the basics of story-telling and run a student-led news program. From the editing to the camera work to the people, I fell in love. My interest in journalism was solidified when Mr. Phelps took us to WSB-TV, Atlanta’s number one news station. I met Fred Blankenship and got to see behind the scenes. I knew then that this is what I wanted to do, but Fred also stressed that it isn’t easy. As of today, I know that to be true. It’s not about the glamor, fame, or money, it’s about telling the stories and making them bigger than yourself. I have interviewed Hampton University’s 12th and 13th presidents, the Ukrainian initiative chair, international students, and more in my short time as a journalist. I am most proud of my interviews with international students since they allowed me to learn about the cultures of other countries, but they also allowed me to learn about the hardships of settling in the United States. Due to this, I have learned to appreciate more because everyone doesn’t have the same opportunities. If you want to work in this field, be an active learner and don’t take everything too seriously. Avoid comparing yourself to others as well. You got this.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The city of Atlanta is a hub of culture, good food, and scenery. Therefore, there are so many places to visit. To begin with, you should check out the trap house, a museum in Atlanta that highlights hip hop culture. You can also catch a football game at the battery stadium. For food, check out U.S. Cafe and A-town Wings. You must go. For scenery, the strip downtown has multiple stores that you can shop at, but you should rent a scooter and ride around town. You could visit Main Event or Epic Theatre as excursions. Cumberland is one of the best malls in the area. When you have a chance, please visit Atlanta.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout is dedicated to Maynard Eaton. Maynard Eaton is an eight-time Emmy award winning journalist and a journalism professor at Hampton University. Maynard Eaton is known for his high-profile interviews and for being the first black reporter at 13NewsNow. My sophomore year, I had the opportunity to take Professor Eaton’s class, and despite the short time I knew him, he made such an impact. Upon meeting him, it was evident his reputation preceded him as he spoke with confidence and experience. He was the first professor to give me a “C” on a writing assignment, and I admired him for it because it motivated me to do better. Professor Eaton recently recommended me for the 2023 NABJ-CMG Jovita Moore Memorial Scholarship, which I won. For me, Professor Eaton is a mentor and a beacon of light. My lucky charm, he motivates me to become a better journalist every day. Professor Eaton, thank you very much.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/CrED9Z-AJBR/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bella-may-25457b215

Youtube: https://youtu.be/lBsLY5ub1ms