Meet Jewel Benton of New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jewel Benton.

Hi Jewel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Since my childhood, I have loved reading and writing. For school and leisure, I consumed books, magazines, and radio robustly. I credit my parents and some of my teachers for my passion for literacy and storytelling. My interests in stories and interviews lingered with me to where pursuing Journalism as a major in college feels like a full-circle moment. Some thought I might have pursued theatre as I was in the drama club during high school (and I have also always been drawn to the arts and entertainment), but in the end, I was pulled towards journalism.

After I graduated college with my B.A. in Journalism, I landed the opportunity to be an apprentice at Scholastic, which was meaningful for many reasons, one of them being because of my childhood love of the company’s catalogues and book fairs. And from there, I would work at Penguin Random House and other publishers. This helped plant the seed for me to start So Booking Cool, merging my love of books and journalism. Initially, the platform began as me interviewing those involved in some of my favorite reads, but it quickly expanded into me interviewing all kinds of authors, illustrators, and the likes of Dionne Warwick and Mathew Knowles, just to name a few.

Years later, my then-professor Claire Serant encouraged me to join the New York Association of Black Journalists (and soon, the National Association of Black Journalists), which I had been involved in a student member, during college. I had reached a point in life where I was completely open and determined, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Alright, 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?
Good question. Others have experienced far worse along their journey, so I cannot complain much. There is always someone who has it worse than you, and those who are fighting real, tough battles. But like anyone else, my road hasn’t been perfect at all. Rejection isn’t always easy to accept, especially in areas where you know you are qualified and competent. But I also strongly believe in timing and that things happen for a reason. One of the So Booking Cool interviews I’ve done that has stuck with me was when actor Zachary S. Williams said “What’s for you won’t pass you by,” when reflecting on his journey. I don’t think this mentality is just something to ease our conscious and make ourselves feel better. It really is true.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am multifaceted and have a background in not only journalism, media, and publishing, but also education, theatre (and I don’t mean my drama club days), and customer service. I am also a writer and have created bodies of work that people have enjoyed, which is meaningful. I am proud of the fact that I have allowed myself to try various fields and tap into many of my interests, despite apprehension.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think risk-taking is healthy. Growth happens outside of our comfort zones. One of my favorite lyrics is from Beyoncé’s song “Spirit,” when she says “While you’re tremblin’, that’s when the magic happens.” It’s just about making it to the other side; and you can do it while you’re nervous. You don’t always have to wait until you feel a hundred percent ready. Looking back, I was extremely nervous when my former professor Tom Moore selected me for the CBS CUNY Boot Camp two-week internship. I had always heard intern horror stories and by the time I got to college, I had become very reserved. But my father told me I have to do it. And I’m so glad he did.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sobookingcool.com
• Instagram: @sobookingcool.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jewel-b-2238517b/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sobookingcool