Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauryn Bass.
Hi Lauryn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
A host. A producer. A writer. A creative. A designer.
I always tell others that I didn’t choose Journalism, it chose me. When I first became a Hamptonian, I didn’t know which career path to choose. I had always been interested in writing and had an eye for great graphic design, but didn’t know what to do with my skills. I was going to settle for working for my father after college because my parents didn’t support any other choice. But I took a leap of faith to apply to the WHOV-TV Scripps Howard News Watch auditions. It was in the evening after I had just completed my Red Cross Lifeguarding exam, I was soaking wet from my wet afro to my flip flops. I was up against seasoned seniors and others who were dressed up in suits and ties. Yet, Leslie Deslasbour, the executive producer at the time, encouraged me to do my best with the teleprompter and once they announced who they selected, I was excited to see that as a freshman business major, I became the Entertainment Anchor! I shared the news with my mother and after prayer, I changed my major to Journalism and have excelled in my career ever since.
I also love to showcase my minor of Psychology in my work. I am the host of my very own podcast: “Blooming & Buzzing with Laurie Bee.” This podcast has been very influential for me to have a platform where I curate my own graphics, share conversations where I can be a sponge to new knowledge, and uplift small businesses while emphasizing the importance of mental health. My most popular episode, which is also found on Apple Podcasts, was an interview with Ms. Kalena Bovell, who as of 2020 is the first and only Afro-Latina conductor in the United States. In the episode, we touched on important obstacles that musicians have faced due to the pandemic cutting off their collaborative efforts of expression by limiting their job opportunities. My work can thrive virtually, but I realized that privilege and uplifted a topic that can sometimes go unnoticed, especially during the pandemic.
I worked hard on building this platform during a time of uncertainty. I believe it opened doors for me to get recognized for other internships, which led me to the reporter job I have now at WTKR News 3 in Norfolk, Va. It’s my first big girl job as a multimedia journalist and new-generation storyteller.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The pandemic of course had me wondering if I would be successful. My parents separated, I moved out the house my junior year to be alone during the quarantine, my school made us go online during the COVID-19 pandemic after coming out of quarantine and I experienced heartbreak for the first time. To make matters worse, I tore my ACL in January 2022 at the start of the new year. It made things even harder for me, mentally and physically.
My world turned upside down. But God.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m very proud of this bio: Lauryn Bass joined the WTKR News 3 Team in July 2022. She plans to bring people together through genuine conversations in her storytelling.
Lauryn Bass is a proud alumna of Hampton University with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Psychology. She is an emerging multimedia journalist from the mini-Hollywood of the peach state: Atlanta, GA. Lauryn strives to be a part of the media industry’s best storytellers. She believes that we all have something to share and uses her platform to highlight stories covering health & wellness, education, politics, and more as she learns more about the Norfolk community. She is also an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists, where she holds the title of their 2022 Ted Holtzclaw Award of Excellence.
One of her biggest accomplishments is the inside scoop on her podcast “Sugar-Honey-Iced-Tea with Laurie Bee” (now named Blooming & Buzzing) featuring Kalena Bovell, who as of 2020 is the first and only Afro-Latina conductor in the United States. Lauryn has also worked with Disney, HBCU Buzz, Clairol, and more!
Her interests range further than in front of the screen or behind the mic. Lauryn enjoys organizing community service events as CEO of Campus+, an organization dedicated to motivating and uplifting plus-sized women. In her free time, you can find her talking with her family, community organizing, singing, painting, taking photos of skylines, traveling with her friends, or occasionally participating in pageantry!
“Whew, I know that was long!”
So what sets me apart? My drive and my authenticity. I’m fueled by God’s favor over me to go after any and everything, and I try my best to showcase the rawness of who I am in my work.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I believe that Local News Journalism will become more and more diluted. Misinformation will be more of a problem as it moves towards social media as a main platform and less objective.
I plan to pivot into a more lifestyle niche if the opportunity aligns and I believe that the creative and entertainment space will provide more representation for minority and underrepresented communities—especially for Black Women.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/lauriebee
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/itslaurynbass
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauryndbass
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/laurynbasstv
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@itslaurynbass
Image Credits
Lauryn Bass
