Where are you from and what were you doing before enrolling in graduate school?

I am from St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to enrolling in graduate school, I was a senior analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. I was also hosting and producing my podcast, @ChristoverCulture. 

How did you learn of the degree program and why did you choose USC Annenberg?

I learned about the master of public relations and advertising program at USC after researching diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entertainment industry. I found the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s Comprehensive Annenberg Report on Diversity (CARD) and learned that USC is championing conversations and research about diversity in Hollywood on and off-screen. I was intrigued by the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusive storytelling. I knew that USC Annenberg would be a great place to hone my skills as a storyteller and to create inclusive pathways for communities of color on camera and behind the scenes. 

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

I enjoy the case studies that we cover in the program and learning from my professors and classmates. Each week, we discuss the latest public relations cases in class and evaluate what went well and what we would do differently or better as public relations and advertising professionals. I appreciate learning from my classmates and hearing the different approaches that we would take to create effective strategies and exciting communications campaigns.