Meet Ms.White of the Life of a Black Girl

Today we’d like to introduce you to Almiya White.

Almiya, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story started with change. I started my college career at North Carolina A&T as a freshman, also studying journalism. I enjoyed my experience at North Carolina A&T; however, I wanted to be surrounded by multimedia networks and journalists. Pursuing a career in media requires complete tunnel vision and a ton of experience, there is no time to waste in this industry. Not only did I know Atlanta would give me just that, but Clark Atlanta University would as well. In the Fall of 2017, I transferred to a school whose motto is “I’ll Find A Way or Make One.”  Needless to say, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. Here I am back in my hometown, Atlanta, to finish my college career thinking it was going to be a smooth transition because again this is my stomping grounds. Ha, the jokes were definitely on me.

We often ask for change, but never sit to think what all comes with change. My entire sophomore year at Clark Atlanta University, I felt uncomfortable and homesick in my own hometown.  Talk about trusting the process because I was sure ready to transfer again. I pulled myself together and realized the foundation I built for myself at North Carolina A&T prepared me for the transition to Clark Atlanta University. It’s safe to say I went to work. Within my first year at Clark Atlanta, I gained a mentor who played such a pivotal role in my career.  She is the reason I am the journalist I am today, Savannah West. She stands firm by her motto, “Each One, Teach One.” She taught me everything she knew. I would always hear her say, “Almiya is just like me just a little slimmer and a little taller.” The crazy thing is I didn’t think I was just like her. I was nowhere near her level. I will say, every time I heard those words from someone who had 14 internships and two fellowships, it pushed me.  I joined my school’s award-winning newspaper, an organization I did not want to join. My News Writing professor at the time, Professor McJunkins, who is the king of journalism, saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. I’ve never had a professor who poured into my craft and pushed me the way he did. Each article I wrote my first year made the front page of the school’s newspaper. Each published article reassured me that I was, again exactly where I needed to be. I started to join other journalism organizations within Clark Atlanta and the city of Atlanta. I finally began to feel like I was getting the experience I needed.

Fast forward to the end of March of my sophomore year; I landed my first internship at CBS News in Washington, D.C.  I can still recall this day like it was yesterday. I called my best friend, TJ, upset at the fact that I haven’t heard anything from any of the companies I applied to and started to get discouraged. As soon as I got off the phone with him, I received an offer from CBS via email.  At that very moment, I was ensured that God is an on time God.

Here I am, a rising senior, and I have had a total of four internships so far. I never thought I would appreciate how much Clark Atlanta University always placed me in uncomfortable settings. 

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The paths are never easy.  I think the biggest struggle for me was finding my voice. I actively searched for my voice and cleared a path for it to emerge with my career and my passion. Growing up, my mom always told me to “just be myself.”   I always keep that in mind when I’m telling a story whether it’s for print, digital, or broadcast. I had to shy away from trying to sound like the typical reporter and sound like Ms. White. If I don’t have an authentic voice, then I won’t have an authentic story.  Own your voice.

If you were to tell the little black girl who grew up on the Southside of Atlanta where she would be today, despite all of the challenges and obstacles she faced, she would believe you. I am she, and I have God and my parents to thank for that. Two things my parents instilled in me growing up, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7) and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Let’s just say, I took those two things and ran with it.  My faith is what kept me sane when I received more no’s than yeses, when I felt stagnated, and when I felt like I didn’t know who I was anymore. Let me be honest; there were times when I felt like it was fear over faith instead of faith over fear. Now that stage of my life played a pivotal role in my “Becoming,” shootout to Mama Michelle for that one. I honestly had to sit down and understand what God has for me will always be for me, and when I say no one can take that from me, I mean no one. Once I grasped that understanding, I then became obligated to move differently, whether I decide to move in silence or out loud; each movement is between God and I. That’s what keeps me whole. God’s grace is amazing. When you work hard despite what doors may close, God will always work harder.

How did this vision circulate?
Aside from chasing my dreams of becoming an unapologetic reporter, I’m now in the process of launching my blog, “The Life of a Black Girl By Ms. White.”  When I first joined Instagram, the only thing that was in my bio was ‘The Life of a Black Girl.’ for obvious reasons. I am a black girl, and I am showcasing snippets of my life right? Right. I joined Instagram at the age of 15, and it’s safe to say a lot has changed since then. It amazes me to see how much I have evolved over the years, not only as a girl but as a black girl. However, developing into who I am today came with struggles. I didn’t always know how to love the women I used to be, the woman I am, and the woman I am becoming in equal measures. That took time and the time that I spent to love all parts of me is something I will always cherish. Fast forward to a few years later, here I am now turning something small into a platform.

Now the work begins. I did a lot of planning, made many vision boards, and reached out to other black bloggers for advice. It’s safe to say this blog is already something dear to my heart. The Life of a Black Girl is a platform that will showcase and highlight self-love, self-acceptance, uplift other black girls, and embrace the purpose of being a “black girl.”  Everything about this blog will be purposeful. My blog is expected to launch in August. I am so excited to share lessons I’ve learned along the way.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My greatest accomplishment is becoming a fellow for NBC Universal Fellowship Program this summer in Los Angeles, California.  There were over 50,000 applicants who applied and only five were chosen. However, I don’t think I’ve seen my proudest moment yet, and that’s what keeps me going. It’s like an adrenaline rush for me. God is just getting started with me, and it gives me chills. I am still being molded into who God wants me to be, which will play a significant role in my career.

Contact Info:

•   Email: [email protected]
•   Instagram: @love_almiya

Image Credit:
@elijahdavis

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