Today we’d like to introduce you to Auzzy Byrdsell.
Hi Auzzy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. During spring break of my Freshman year of high school in Atlanta, I moved to Frankfurt, Germany, after my folks got married, and we quickly transitioned into a state department life. I spent about a year and a half there and then did two years in Bangkok, Thailand, graduated high school and then spent my freshman year at Morehouse in Seoul, South Korea. I eventually moved back to Atlanta to continue at Morehouse post-COVID. I initially started pursuing a career in athletic training and sports administration but quickly fell in love with journalism during my sophomore year. Once I started actually seeing true potential in my career as a journalist in my junior year, I had the benefit of a true network that helped me hit the ground running.
In just one semester, I’d become a consistent writer and secretary for the Morehouse campus publication – The Maroon Tiger completed my first reporting internship, been selected as the next editor-in-chief for The Maroon Tiger, and landed an editorial and press release internship with the Boston Celtics. During my time with the Celtics, I landed another internship with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a reporter, where I’m still currently working. The two big portions of my upbringing (growing up in Atlanta and living overseas for about five years) gave me the tools I needed to be effective once I touched Morehouse. I gained motivation, discipline, and unique perspectives that set the foundation for the rest of my work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve always had to find my own kind of peace and security in my journey, and I still do. I’ve had to navigate grief, being homesick, feeling like I don’t belong in various spaces, and even questioning my own paths in life to end up where I am. I watched my mom go through hell at times for a great majority of my upbringing, raising me and my brother on her own. I had to deal with being the only Black kid from an inner-city, middle-class environment for most of my high school years. I’ve had to navigate having to be adaptable in foreign cultures after living in one place for over a decade and a half. However, I wouldn’t trade any of it; I’m still learning as it is.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a journalist; I report in almost every facet of the profession. I’ve done investigations, sports, business, features, news, and done on-camera work as well. Professionally, I’ve worked with the likes of the NBA, Atlanta Magazine, Forbes, Capital B, the AJC, and more. Right now, I’m working as a breaking news reporter with the AJC, as I just finished some time doing local news and government reporting. In addition to serving as the editor-in-chief of The Maroon Tiger, I also serve as the founder and president of the Morehouse College Association of Black Journalists (MCABJ), a student affiliate chapter under the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). What sets me apart from other journalists is my versatility. Not many other young journalists have either the versatility to write in as many spaces as I do or are willing to know the skills in each space. My biggest fear in this industry is to be a one-trick pony. My whole identity is being somebody who can be placed in any newsroom at any point and still be effective. All of my biggest stories and moments cover so many different facets of the media. Whether getting my story published in Belize’s newspaper, getting an interview with Chris Haynes, covering sneaker culture in Atlanta, or protests, I can have the same impact wherever I am.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My entire career has been based on taking risks. I went against my entire major to take a shot at my career as a journalist (I’m still registered at Morehouse as a Kinesiology major). I took a risk even joining the journalism department, knowing it was still fairly new at Morehouse. I took a risk accepting my first real internship in New Jersey that had nothing to do with either sports or media. I took a risk choosing to do the International Baccalaureate program in high school; I took a risk not choosing to continue my life as an athlete after Morehouse. However, I think the whole idea behind taking risks is understanding both the potential reward and the severity if it goes left. However, taking a real risk should be led with faith, which should come from your confidence in yourself and your knowledge of how it’ll work out.
Contact Info:
- Website: byrdseyeyeview.squarespace.com
- Instagram: global.auzzy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-auzzy-jerard-byrdsell-007787204/
Image Credits
The image of me holding the plaque for The Maroon Tiger was taken by Kollin Washington, Morehouse College senior and managing editor of visual media for The Maroon Tiger.
