Meta J. Mereday is an award winning, independent writer and editor who has always been open to the creative possibilities which exist beyond the conventional journalism career trajectory. A self-styled, entrepreneurial dissident, she has long established herself as a leading expert and advocate for diversity within the media, marketing and advertising business communities.
A native of Roosevelt, New York, a Long Island suburb of New York City, Meta earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from San Jose State University in Journalism and Mass Communications. She later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Hofstra University, with a concentration in International Marketing and emphasis on Minority Entrepreneurship. She also served as Marketing Instructor for Hofstra University's Center for Entrepreneurship for Minorities and Women, and as a mentor for Hofstra's Graduate Women in Business.
Her articles have appeared in numerous publications, such as Savoy Professional Magazine, Minority Business News-USA, Black Professionals Magazine and Emerging Markets Magazine, as well as several online publications including BlackCollegian.com, BlackTechMagazine.com. and Multicultural Law Magazine.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Black Journalists (also known as NABJ), the world’s largest organization of media professionals, Mereday is also a co-founder of the National Black Public Relations Society (also known as NBPRS) and Empowered Health Partnerships, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on addressing health and healthcare disparities in racial and ethnic minority communities.
In her spare time, she loves to travel, especially with her mother, Emma Waters Mereday. She also enjoys writing poetry, working with young people, and listening to the stories of, and consulting the lesson taught by her elders.
She counts among her elders and mentors her mother,Emma Waters Mereday, her maternal grandmother, Isabel Dory Waters, and the numerous influences as she was growing up, such as her caregivers, teachers, school principals and other adults whose example of grace under ethnic and discriminatory fire helped shape her character and strong work ethic. Her career was also heavily influenced by the special encouragement of African American media trailblazers such as the late Vernon Jarrett, the late Pat Tobin and the late Greg Freeman, as well as Roy Johnson and Sheila Brooks.
Encouraged by others, Mereday has begun exploring the area of playwriting, in tandem with her well established entrepreneurial pursuits.
Plays tell stories; the subtext in them revealing the thoughts, dreams, nightmares, goals, adventures and intentions of the characters. These traits are not unlike those of a good feature story, or even a well positioned public relations campaign.
Mereday has not waivered when it comes to risk taking, frank dialogue, thought provoking stories and hardcore advocacy. It is reasonable to that she will bring all of this and more to her artistic projects, and, as usual, surprise and intrigue even her harshest critics.
Interview with Meta J. Mereday by Amy V. Simmons
AVS: When did you realize your special talents, and how did you initially explore them?
MJM: Personally, my mother is my role model (and my maternal grandmother Isabel Dory Waters a guiding spirit always). My mentors are/were numerous from the older women who took care of me when my parents worked, the parents of friends whose work ethic and courage under the fire of discrimination encouraged me to believe in myself and work hard.
I always enjoyed writing poetry and short stories. When I was a child, I wrote my own cards to give to people. As a teenager, I started putting my poems on paper and journals. I moved to a compilation almost twenty years ago.
My gift for story telling prompted someone to suggest to me that I should write a script to capture those stories and to highlight the memories of the women in my life who helped to shape who I am.
AVS: Re your career evolution over the years, what is the largest obstacle you face as a free agent, especially as you contemplate branching out into the arts?
MJM: Having the time to keep the creative process fresh and to package it in all the modern formats for distribution and trusting the elements out there again after going the self publish route and getting burned by the experience. Also, dealing with the limited opportunities and stonewalling to get to the right people to have your draft read, when you know your material surpasses most of the stuff out there.
AVS: How powerful is the collective influence of your professional experience as a journalist, such as the stories you've covered and the people you've met on your current direction as playwright?
MJM: The wealth of information and insights gained from the journalism arena is immeasurable.
The contacts and resources have helped me to not only define myself in my own unique way as a freelance journalist, but also to spread my creative wings and incorporate the stories into various literary formats to extend their shelf life and benefit to society.
The business has helping me to grow as a person, a writer, an advocate, and a social poet.
Whether I am researching the issues impacting black farmers or highlighting the returning veterans, I have been able to incorporate my writing and editing skills to look beyond what is the hot topic of the day and look at the “Story Behind The Story”. So there is the article that satisfies the publisher, and the material to build a script.
AVS: What projects are you currently working on now?
MJM: Updating my hip-hop musical and working on the music to go with the lyrics, and working on another teleplay about non-traditional families.
For more information about Meta J. Mereday and her writing, see the links below:
Associated Content site:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/14281/meta_mereday.html
Black Tech Magazine:
mmereday@blacktechmagazine.com
Empowered Health Partnership, Inc.:
http://empoweredhealthpartnerships.org/
Summit Global Strategies and Solutions:
http://classyplus.com/CMO.aspx
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Independent Journalist/ Poet Marcie Eanes
A native of Racine, Wisconsin, Eanes resided in Los Angeles, California for nearly 15 years before returning to the Midwest in 2007. She is a journalist and poet who holds a BA in Journalism from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. She has written for numerous publications including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Grand Rapids Press newspapers. Her work has also appeared in Essence and Seventeen magazines.
Long before it was a common occurrence, Eanes was compelled early in her writing career to reinvent herself after a life changing car accident in August, 1985.
This transformative period was highlighted in an essay by Eanes in a collection entitled "Sisterfriend– Soul Journey" (Promotrnds, Inc. 2000). She also expounded upon her journey in the first release of the acclaimed book series "A Cup of Comfort" (Adams, 2002.)
Eanes has shared her poetry in a variety of venues and events across the nation including Bennett College, the Austin International Poetry Festival, the historical Black institution Huston-Tillotson University, among others. The festival is a prestigious event held yearly which features poets around the globe. In August 2007, Eanes was one of nine finalists in the Daimler-Chrysler "Spirit in the Word" poetry competition at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists, one of the most influential journalism organizations in the world.
After returning to the Midwest in 2007, she is fast reestablishing herself as an active member of the Milwaukee/Chicago region’s vibrant artistic community. Eanes holds memberships in several organizations including the National Writers Union, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists – Chicago Chapter and the Academy of American Poets.
Other interests include music, yoga, belly dancing, sports, reading, movies and travel.
Sensual Sounds is Eanes’s first poetry book. She is currently working on a variety of projects including Passion’s Embrace, her first poetry CD.
Interview with Marcie Eanes by Amy V. Simmons
AVS: When did you realize your special talents, and how did you initially explore them?
My mother was the first to recognize and encourage my writing talents in grade school and high school. My two most memorable assignments were writing about Ida B. Wells and the Wobblies Workers movement in the early 1900's. I received A's and notable attention from my teachers. College was where I finally knew my gift was writing. I worked as an intern at Essence Magazine and wrote several freelance articles for Seventeen Magazine. I also interned at the Racine Journal Times newspaper and served as a public relations intern at the Milwaukee YWCA.
Public relations wasn't the only form of journalism I explored as an MU undergrad. I worked on the staff of the college radio and television stations along with the school newspaper.
AVS: What was the most defining moment of your life? Did it influence what you are doing now?
A car accident six months after college graduation forever changed my life. I went from being a fresh-faced 23 year-old reporter at the Grand Rapids Press newspaper to being paralyzed from the neck down. Not the future my parents and I planned at all.
I went through several, depressing years feeling lost. It didn't help my parents died suddenly six years after my accident and I was primary caregiver to my mentally handicapped brother. Although I had help from family and other sources, little writing took place during that time. Nearly ten years later, I wrote an article on women and body image for a Home Economics magazine which was later published in Essence magazine.
AVS: Regarding your career change, what has been your greatest challenge? How does it compare to your former position as a fulltime reporter?
My career as an Independent Journalist/Poet is nearly as challenging as being a fulltime reporter. I'm responsible for following leads, writing under deadline and all the other duties found in the newsroom. Both require self-motivation, creativity and interaction with the public. Difference is that the business is my responsibility alone day in/out. No paid sick days, unions. etc. But I haven't lost the initial thrill of writing.
I feel my parents would be proud. They taught me through example how to be my own boss. They owned property which they maintained as landlords. Mom graduated from college when I was in 8th grade. Dad owned the first black-owned liquor store in Racine. They never gave up on themselves or their dreams during their lifetimes, and are still a guide for me.
Poetry was a writing form I discovered as a form of expressing grief when my brother Chris died. By the late 90s, I was performing in front of audiences. The poems I've written were recently published in my first book, "Sensual Sounds".
AVS: Do you ever think about what direction your career would have taken had the accident not happened, especially considering the huge upheaval in the industry and resulting displacement of many of those same colleagues you started out with?
I sometimes do because with all the experiences I had working with magazines, public relations, and other mediums. It would've been interesting to see where my niche truly was. But it was also the things I've experienced i.e. health challenges, care giving which give my writing such depth.
My friends are also my toughest critics because the majority are in different fields. They tell my constantly I was a good writer before the accident, but now my words cause then to really linger, think and dissect subjects I write about. They tell me that I'm not a "fluff" writer.
AVS: Did you have an interest in poetry writing before you explored it as an alternative form of writing?
Poetry was something I loathed. I never seemed to give the right answers when teachers asked about interpretations. My most memorable experience was sneaking out of my British poetry class in college and later hitting up a classmate for notes.
The death of my brother, Chris, changed all my thinking. Months prior to his death, I met a poet who later challenged me to express my grief in poetic form. I did and never looked back.
AVS: What project/s are you currently working on now?
I'm promoting my poetry book, beginning work on my first poetry CD entitled "Passion's Embrace" and working on a novel.
Reading at the 716 Fine Art Gallery, Racine, WI in 2008
For more information about Marcie Eanes, her books, and other projects, see the links below.
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sensual-Sounds-collection-Marcie-Eanes/dp/1440192855/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266533983&sr=8-1
Barnes and Noble:
http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=Marcie+Eanes&box=Marcie%20Eanes&pos=-1
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/marcieeanespoetry
My Space:
www.myspace.com/marcieeanes
Long before it was a common occurrence, Eanes was compelled early in her writing career to reinvent herself after a life changing car accident in August, 1985.
This transformative period was highlighted in an essay by Eanes in a collection entitled "Sisterfriend– Soul Journey" (Promotrnds, Inc. 2000). She also expounded upon her journey in the first release of the acclaimed book series "A Cup of Comfort" (Adams, 2002.)
Eanes has shared her poetry in a variety of venues and events across the nation including Bennett College, the Austin International Poetry Festival, the historical Black institution Huston-Tillotson University, among others. The festival is a prestigious event held yearly which features poets around the globe. In August 2007, Eanes was one of nine finalists in the Daimler-Chrysler "Spirit in the Word" poetry competition at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists, one of the most influential journalism organizations in the world.
After returning to the Midwest in 2007, she is fast reestablishing herself as an active member of the Milwaukee/Chicago region’s vibrant artistic community. Eanes holds memberships in several organizations including the National Writers Union, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists – Chicago Chapter and the Academy of American Poets.
Other interests include music, yoga, belly dancing, sports, reading, movies and travel.
Sensual Sounds is Eanes’s first poetry book. She is currently working on a variety of projects including Passion’s Embrace, her first poetry CD.
Interview with Marcie Eanes by Amy V. Simmons
AVS: When did you realize your special talents, and how did you initially explore them?
My mother was the first to recognize and encourage my writing talents in grade school and high school. My two most memorable assignments were writing about Ida B. Wells and the Wobblies Workers movement in the early 1900's. I received A's and notable attention from my teachers. College was where I finally knew my gift was writing. I worked as an intern at Essence Magazine and wrote several freelance articles for Seventeen Magazine. I also interned at the Racine Journal Times newspaper and served as a public relations intern at the Milwaukee YWCA.
Public relations wasn't the only form of journalism I explored as an MU undergrad. I worked on the staff of the college radio and television stations along with the school newspaper.
AVS: What was the most defining moment of your life? Did it influence what you are doing now?
A car accident six months after college graduation forever changed my life. I went from being a fresh-faced 23 year-old reporter at the Grand Rapids Press newspaper to being paralyzed from the neck down. Not the future my parents and I planned at all.
I went through several, depressing years feeling lost. It didn't help my parents died suddenly six years after my accident and I was primary caregiver to my mentally handicapped brother. Although I had help from family and other sources, little writing took place during that time. Nearly ten years later, I wrote an article on women and body image for a Home Economics magazine which was later published in Essence magazine.
AVS: Regarding your career change, what has been your greatest challenge? How does it compare to your former position as a fulltime reporter?
My career as an Independent Journalist/Poet is nearly as challenging as being a fulltime reporter. I'm responsible for following leads, writing under deadline and all the other duties found in the newsroom. Both require self-motivation, creativity and interaction with the public. Difference is that the business is my responsibility alone day in/out. No paid sick days, unions. etc. But I haven't lost the initial thrill of writing.
I feel my parents would be proud. They taught me through example how to be my own boss. They owned property which they maintained as landlords. Mom graduated from college when I was in 8th grade. Dad owned the first black-owned liquor store in Racine. They never gave up on themselves or their dreams during their lifetimes, and are still a guide for me.
Poetry was a writing form I discovered as a form of expressing grief when my brother Chris died. By the late 90s, I was performing in front of audiences. The poems I've written were recently published in my first book, "Sensual Sounds".
AVS: Do you ever think about what direction your career would have taken had the accident not happened, especially considering the huge upheaval in the industry and resulting displacement of many of those same colleagues you started out with?
I sometimes do because with all the experiences I had working with magazines, public relations, and other mediums. It would've been interesting to see where my niche truly was. But it was also the things I've experienced i.e. health challenges, care giving which give my writing such depth.
My friends are also my toughest critics because the majority are in different fields. They tell my constantly I was a good writer before the accident, but now my words cause then to really linger, think and dissect subjects I write about. They tell me that I'm not a "fluff" writer.
AVS: Did you have an interest in poetry writing before you explored it as an alternative form of writing?
Poetry was something I loathed. I never seemed to give the right answers when teachers asked about interpretations. My most memorable experience was sneaking out of my British poetry class in college and later hitting up a classmate for notes.
The death of my brother, Chris, changed all my thinking. Months prior to his death, I met a poet who later challenged me to express my grief in poetic form. I did and never looked back.
AVS: What project/s are you currently working on now?
I'm promoting my poetry book, beginning work on my first poetry CD entitled "Passion's Embrace" and working on a novel.
Reading at the 716 Fine Art Gallery, Racine, WI in 2008
For more information about Marcie Eanes, her books, and other projects, see the links below.
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sensual-Sounds-collection-Marcie-Eanes/dp/1440192855/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266533983&sr=8-1
Barnes and Noble:
http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=Marcie+Eanes&box=Marcie%20Eanes&pos=-1
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/marcieeanespoetry
My Space:
www.myspace.com/marcieeanes
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Dancing to A Different Deadline...
As the traditional media structure sheds its skin and its fledgling offspring begins establishing itself in its wake, many journalists and broadcasters are finding themselves not only unemployed but embarking on a new career journey which may or may not be media related. Others are creating an amalgam of sorts through freelancing along with a 9-5 job, usually a lateral move like public relations or consultant; others are choosing early retirement, not sure what else there is for them.
A surprising number, however, are choosing to flex the artistic muscles that may have been sorely neglected or in hobby form during their hectic, hustle-bustle journalism careers. I have noticed, it seems, that the majority of those creative arts “re-inventees” are women. There are probably many reasons for this, but I’ll take a stab at it.
I suppose that the male dominated field which we chose certainly led us to become creative, autonomous, reflective and develop extra long arms to give ourselves pats on the back when the powers that be seemed reluctant to do so. Now, that’s not to say that many male journalists don’t possess these attributes, or that their own career path was strewn with roses and laurel wreathes just because of gender. However, the ground gained by women in media over the years was hard fought for, and the resulting creative stamina and drive has been a plus.
Women journalists are reinventing themselves, writing poetry, acting, writing novels, nonfiction, making music, writing plays( my latest focus!) becoming filmmakers and exploring other outlets. Some have become very successful, some are just dipping in a toe – still others are working hard, bringing a long term dream to fruition.
The underlying subtext is apparent – that it is taking one form of storytelling, of truth seeking, of fostering intellectual curiosity - that is, being a journalist or broadcaster -and developing it into another.
I have found the journey sometimes exhilarating, sometimes discouraging, but always interesting. I have had to teach myself how to write fiction – I was challenged by an old university friend who has had a long career as a successful actor, director and producer, to write a play, which he will be producing. I approached it as a challenge, but now it feels like something I should have been doing years ago. I am also exploring poetry and novel writing to a lesser extent, as well as continuing with the freelance writing, editing and publicist work that as a lateral move has been very satisfying – even though it is grueling at times.
I will be featuring other women monthly in this blog who are also taking the creative exit on the reinvention road, and I hope you’ll join me on the journey!
A surprising number, however, are choosing to flex the artistic muscles that may have been sorely neglected or in hobby form during their hectic, hustle-bustle journalism careers. I have noticed, it seems, that the majority of those creative arts “re-inventees” are women. There are probably many reasons for this, but I’ll take a stab at it.
I suppose that the male dominated field which we chose certainly led us to become creative, autonomous, reflective and develop extra long arms to give ourselves pats on the back when the powers that be seemed reluctant to do so. Now, that’s not to say that many male journalists don’t possess these attributes, or that their own career path was strewn with roses and laurel wreathes just because of gender. However, the ground gained by women in media over the years was hard fought for, and the resulting creative stamina and drive has been a plus.
Women journalists are reinventing themselves, writing poetry, acting, writing novels, nonfiction, making music, writing plays( my latest focus!) becoming filmmakers and exploring other outlets. Some have become very successful, some are just dipping in a toe – still others are working hard, bringing a long term dream to fruition.
The underlying subtext is apparent – that it is taking one form of storytelling, of truth seeking, of fostering intellectual curiosity - that is, being a journalist or broadcaster -and developing it into another.
I have found the journey sometimes exhilarating, sometimes discouraging, but always interesting. I have had to teach myself how to write fiction – I was challenged by an old university friend who has had a long career as a successful actor, director and producer, to write a play, which he will be producing. I approached it as a challenge, but now it feels like something I should have been doing years ago. I am also exploring poetry and novel writing to a lesser extent, as well as continuing with the freelance writing, editing and publicist work that as a lateral move has been very satisfying – even though it is grueling at times.
I will be featuring other women monthly in this blog who are also taking the creative exit on the reinvention road, and I hope you’ll join me on the journey!
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