In honor of Black History Month, Billboard highlighted Black journalists on the rise
On a quiet Tuesday afternoon, hundreds gathered eagerly on Twitter’s Spaces platform, awaiting what would be an hour-long discussion featuring young, black writers making an impact in the music industry’s editorial space. The occasion? ,Black History Month.
Hosted by ,Billboard and sponsored by Bacardi, the ,“Black Music Journalists on the Rise,” roundtable, kicked off a second week of celebratory events, highlighting the impact African Americans continue to have in the entertainment industry.
The unorthodox roundtable discussion, moderated by Hip-Hop journalist and Billboard editor ,Carl Anthony Lamarre, and featuring rising journalists ,Tallie Spencer, ,Nerisha Penrose, and ,Jordan Rose, would prove to not only be meaningful, but also inspiring.
“These guys have been able to accomplish a lot in the culture with their captivating stories and interviews, and I’m so proud,” Lamarre warmly shared. “Whether it’s seeing Tallie at ,Rolling Loud, Nerisha with her ,Mary. J Blige cover story, or Jordan breaking news on the Steven Victor, Donda story, they’re all really elevating,” he added.
Following brief introductions, the day’s speakers dove into deep conversation, recounting the stories behind their journeys and giving audience members a candid peek into their experiences, from college internships to career wins. Although their stories were unique with regard to their paths to success, they shared one overarching theme—a passion for the art of writing.
“My love for writing started with poetry. I used to be a slam poet, so I decided to merge my love for poetry and music together, to start writing more openly and freely about music,” shared ,Jordan Rose, an editorial assistant at Complex Magazine.
“Similar to Jordan, I also had a love for music,” added ,Remixd Magazine owner Tallie Spencer. “Writing has always been my strongest skill, and I found fulfillment in talking to different artists, learning their journey, and making a difference through the narratives,” she added.
In between mentions of vision boards, star-studded interviews, and career highlights, the budding journalists pivoted to brief moments of introspection, centering the conversation around career challenges, which for one journalist, included struggles with self-doubt and stress management.
“I had to develop tough skin and not be discouraged when I was being critiqued as a writer,” ,Elle Magazine’s Nerisha Penrose shared. “When I had to write the cover story for ,Mary J. Blige, pressure to be perfect, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome filled my head, but I really had to believe in myself, start seeing what other people saw in me, and make it happen,” she added.
For most black creatives, the inner echoes of self-doubt and criticism are familiar, especially in an entertainment industry where white males dominate much of the professional landscape, according to Spencer. Still, despite seeming setbacks, the panel of journalists remained optimistic, sharing valuable words of advice as the conversation drew to a close.
“For young music journalists trying to get into the game, I’d advise them to just start. Stay consistent. Start by interviewing and doing write-ups on local musicians in your area, and always stay consistent,” Spencer shared.
“Adding onto that, I advise that you network and constantly look for opportunities…When you get one, make sure you research your subjects and take the time to draw something different from their story,” Penrose added.
