From Cold Inmails to REVOLT: Pivoting Led to My Dream Career
I posted a blog about my love for LinkedIn 8 years ago, and still — 8 later, that love never wavered.
You see, LinkedIn helped me land my first internship into the world of production. I used it religiously as a post-grad in 2017, bright-eyed and really just wanting a way into a world that seemed foreign to me. I made the mistake of not interning in college and instead chasing paper as a lifeguard. But given my life trajectory now, I guess it wasn’t such a bad choice after all.
LinkedIn led me to a fellow Hampton alum. I decided to cold inmail her after seeing her page and realizing: oh sh*t, she’s doing what I’m interested in. I thought, let me reach out and ask for mentorship because clearly whatever I’m doing ain’t working. I applied for internships at ABC/Disney and would constantly get denied. You know the saying if you keep doing the same thing and expecting different results = insanity. Well, that’s what my conclusion was. I needed to change something, I figured I may as well begin with her.
As I mentioned in my blog years ago, there will be a lot of ignoring, in fact more than back then due to the current job market. Let’s be real, it sucks and it seems a number of people are jobless — so just keep that in mind. While you may get some messages that go unanswered, or are told they’re unavailable to assist at the moment, you will get a Yes. I say for every 10 inmails, be happy if you get at least 1-2 responses. Those 2 people may measure up way more compared to the 8 you wish for. Don’t sleep.
The bottom line is to never give up. When it comes to your passion, there will always be a way. You just have to find it, do a lil digging and God will reveal things to you. But you have to do some sort of work, it rarely will just appear. Nonetheless, that’s the mindset I still possess nearly 10 years later.
I’ve been in the production industry for nearly a decade at this point. Ever since I declared my major as Broadcast journalism at Hampton University, the goal was always to be in front of the camera reporting on entertainment for a notable company. And eventually becoming a talk show host, similar to Tamron Hall. Always, I never wavered. And even when I kept getting the no’s, I never gave up — I pivoted instead.
What did the pivot look like? Starting my OWN sh*t. Something I had full creative control over and could hire who I wanted. My baby, Rooting for Everybody Black a.k.a RFEB, was launched in 2019 after being tired of being told I was unqualified. But you know what? Doing my own thing, perfecting my craft by trying to mirror people I admired, allowed for practice to make perfect… or close to it. Six years later + a brief stint in local news, which allowed me to gain feedback on my tone of voice and learn how to MMJ, I realized there’s no way potential employers would’ve allowed lil ol’ me with no experience on their air, LOL. I get it now. God needed me to take this route, he prepped it just for me, to be exact. I left my news job in 2022 and fully delved into focusing my creative energy on RFEB in August 2023. In August 2025, an exact 2 years from the month I decided to take myself seriously, I can confidently say I’m much closer to my dream.
But now, let’s take a step back so I can explain how I got here.
I mentioned cold emailing being my thing. As a journalist, research comes second nature. I often feel like inspector gadget finding the information I need, lol. Nonetheless, I was able to figure out certain emails and reach out with an introduction of who I was and what I wanted to do + a “pitch deck.”
But crickets… I wouldn’t get responses, but I did receive “away” messages at the time — this assured me I did reach the inbox. That felt good, hoping the person would return my message when they returned from wherever they were, but nope. Crickets, again.
I thought to myself, something has to give. I did not come this far to go nowhere, I have to keep going. That mindset led me back to LinkedIn. About two months before I hopped in the DM of a leader at REVOLT, I saw a comment he left on their page. The post was about a new talk show hosted by TikTok star Lynae Vanee. Working in journalism in 2025 is very different compared to 2017 or 2018. Influencers are on the rise and are morphing into makeshift journalists. And outlets are choosing them for Red Carpets and media opportunities because of that popularity… not skill. It’s almost like clickbait, but in real time. Long gone are the days where you actually need talent to get somewhere. This was a tough pill to swallow, but I had to keep moving. I was determined to put my degrees to use and accomplish a goal I set over a decade ago. This REVOLT representative commented:
I honestly had to share my thoughts at this moment. I said: This is amazing! Supporting journalists directly is just as crucial-please consider investing in them as well. 🙏
At first, I felt remorseful and wanted to delete it. But then something clicked, I realized he acknowledged my message with a “like.” Was he agreeing with me? He wasn’t offended? “Wow!” I thought to myself, “this is great!” I kept that interaction in my back pocket and saw it as an opportunity to reach out at a later time. After all, REVOLT’s company mission of amplifying Black creator voices somewhat mirrored mine: uplifting Black excellence. It felt like it made sense. In July 2025, a month after the original interaction, I decided to shoot my shot.
Not worried if it air balled, but hoping it was all net. About two hours after I sent it, I received a reply back. In disbelief, I quickly read it. “hey, can you email this to me and cc _____.” OMG, it landed! Not only did he look at my words, he must’ve scrolled through my deck. Within 2 weeks, we had a virtual meeting scheduled. I made sure I came prepared… using my skills as a journalist to research all I could about the guy. I found his Instagram and read a lot of posts, scrolled through comments to try to get a sense of who he was. A father, a leader and an overall private person. But also someone who prefers initiative and self-starters is what I inferred after reading several comments.
I took notes and made sure to ask questions in the meeting. Little did I know this informal meeting would turn into me pitching myself to cover Invest Fest on their behalf. My work ethic and energy spoke for itself. It seemed like my work with RFEB was finally paying off. I also felt confident given I’d attended and covered the festival in 2024 on behalf of my own series.
He passed me on to speak with his colleague who was “the best to move it across the line.” I met with him and equally hit it off. The ball began to roll and I felt so ready. “This was what I’d been preparing for,” I thought to myself. I only needed a chance and now I’m going to show them why I’m the best choice. Excitement overcame my body. Over the course of 6 weeks, I was on pins and needles but fully trusting God’s will, knowing that what’s for me will never pass me by. And finally the day came on August 22, 2025.
The year has been a whirlwind, but in the best way, when it comes to my independent journey. I’ve done work with MSG and collaborated on a few posts on Instagram. Now, I’ve added coverage with REVOLT under my belt. All honor and GLORY to God for all of these opportunities. I’m just grateful.
Last year and earlier this year, I loudly declared my want to work as a freelancer for major entities and it seems that’s what’s finally happening. I can’t wait to see who’s next, either way — I’ll be ready. I always am.
