Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Howard.
Aisha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m entering my 13th year in the broadcast industry but this has been my dream since I was in second grade, I started doing the school announcements in elementary school and that went all through high school. So, when it was time to head off to college and choose a major, I knew exactly what and who I wanted to be. Of course, Oprah was always goals. But I started to carve out my own path and realized there were so many different avenues to arrive at the destination. As soon as I graduated from Michigan State University, I moved to Atlanta in 2007 to work as a news trainee which was essentially an assignment editor at a local news station. I set up my own interview by telling the hiring manager I’d be in town. I hadn’t booked the flight yet but I knew some of my friends were headed to Atlanta for an advertising industry job fair. That one bold move yielded positive results when the manager agreed to meet me. I presented myself as if it was an official interview and not just a meeting because I happened to be in town.
From that day forward, I knew my career would consist of bold moves and me orchestrating my path and not waiting for someone to hand me anything. After nine months working that behind the scenes position, I left for my first on-air job. It was a grind over those nine months in Atlanta. I asked if I could create my own schedule so I could nanny on the side because I made $10/hr. In addition to working two jobs, I would come in a few hours before my shift to work in the field with the overnight reporter who ultimately helped me make the demo reel that landed me my first on-air role.
So, being back in Atlanta is a full circle moment for me. Each role from a one-man-band reporter, to producing my owns the show, and moving up to the anchor desk led me back here where it all started.
Now, I’m a primary evening anchor in the same news market where I started answering the newsroom phones and monitoring police scanners. How? Because I was never afraid of hard work and kept showing up even when what was ahead of me seemed too hard.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I was never good at running track but real life experiences proved I was a beast in the hurdles! My first TV job almost took me out. I was a weekend one-man-band reporter in a town I never heard of. New Bern, NC. Few people on the job looked like me. I was far away from home making little money. The news director connected me with another female employee who was starting around the same time as me so we could live together and be able to afford the rent. I had college friends in Atlanta so it felt familiar. But when that moving truck dropped me off in New Bern I was in shock. Here I am, at 23 years old, expected to adult my way through a foreign land and on a job I wasn’t sure I was good at. Every single day felt like a struggle. It took me about a year to hit my stride and not feel as green as I really was.
That season consisted of feeling inadequate and under-prepared. I knew I wasn’t but I was away from my village so I felt the void of not having daily support. That’s when I learned I could uplift and support myself. First of all, sis, give yourself props for simply showing up and getting it done and not burying your head in the sand at the sight of challenges dressed up as hard work.
The disconnect from family and friends has been the toughest part of my career. This business required me to go to places I would’ve never moved to had it not been for my job taking me to those cities. That’s when I discovered the value of a mentor and not being afraid to reach out for help. Not one mentor but a team of mentors who thrived in different areas.
Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned that I’d want to pass on to other young women in any career path: Carry yourself like you’re already at that next level or in the position you want. Werk while you work. Don’t get caught up in office gossip. Make sure your name is in the type of conversations that bring praise and promotion. Look at yourself often and don’t make a habit of pointing fingers. Always come back to you… what can I do better, how can I grow from this, where’s the opportunity for me to showcase my best self at this moment. Keep your eyes in your own lane and focus forward. Don’t get distracted with what everyone else is doing or what they have that you don’t have. What’s for you won’t miss you. If someone else is shining that doesn’t mean there’s shade on you. Just make sure when it’s your turn you’re prepared. And as you climb don’t forget to pull others up with you! It’s a beautiful cycle… have a mentor and become a mentor.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m an evening anchor with 11 Alive news. I’m currently the co-host of the station’s 11 pm newscast, Up Late. I’m most proud of finding my voice in the news industry and joining a station that empowered me to be myself. During my interview I was specifically told I was brought in to bring something different…my unapologetic personality, I felt like I could breathe during my audition when I used the term “side eye” during an ad-lib moment and no one actually gave me a side eye in return.
I am my brand and that’s what sets me apart. No gimmicks or mask. Who you see on TV is the same person you’ll meet at a weekend fundraising gala, the gym, church, or a day party. And that’s what’s led to genuine connections. If you feel I’m being myself you feel welcome to be who you are when you encounter me. I’ve found that to be true across all platforms. Even on social media where you can be who you wanna be.
I’m from Flint, MI and a public school product who was accepted to college under a special program based on income. My success holds a mirror to people with a similar story who don’t see themselves in spaces they wish to occupy. So, my work represents all of who I am and the brand shows I didn’t have to change to get here.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
My family empowered me to use my voice. As annoying as it was to hear me talking all day and asking questions they played on it in a positive way. My uncle would always ask me about the latest happenings. Because he knew I had an answer for him every time. My family referred to me as baby Oprah and Rona Barrett growing up. So, I feel they spoke life into my career very early on. When I started to see women on the news who looked like me growing up, I knew the career was attainable. And then, I started to realize my commitment to the craft could help me give back to my family and my community. So, I went extra hard to be in a position to give them back a fraction of what they’ve given me.
Contact Info:
- Email: ahoward@11alive.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aishahoward/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AishaHowardTV/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/aishahowardtv
Image Credit:
Jay Goldz
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