The past two weeks have been overwhelmingly amazing I’ve had the opportunity to grow, love and reflect on my life.
Two weeks ago I got my first Associate Producer credit. I was shocked and so excited I cried. I couldn’t believe how fast all of this opportunity came. I was beyond stressed since my friend, Ashley was in town for the week from Portland and I was going to be working 14 hour days. Meaning I wouldn’t be able to spend any time with her but she understood. Then my friend Amber came to town from D.C. for her first time and I was so excited to see her once I got off work. We found a Laker themed bar in the city and met another Cali girl it’s always so refreshing and amazing to see old friends but it reminded me how moving to New York City was never my plan just like college was never my plan.
My friend, Charlene encouraged me to go to college, if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have met Ashley or Amber.
My friends supported me and made moving to New York to start my career possible. I managed to graduate in four years and met some of my very best friends along the way. I struggled to figure out exactly what I wanted to do and looking back now I almost changed my major and minor every fall semester. I wanted to work in politics and make change I also wanted to learn more about my African American culture but in the end I realized I could report on politics, tell stories that affect the black community and more. I fell in love with journalism.
My professor always encouraged us to report on our passion and I struggled with mine because it often times made me so upset. I always wondered how the system could fail so many people, so many times. I’ve always wanted to make things fair ex. I played with every single one of my toys so none would feel left out, ask my mom about it. As a journalist I want all questions to be answered and I want to hold the right people accountable for their actions and the way their actions affect others.
So junior year of college my passion for social and racial justice was shining all the way through my acne was so severe my emotions all over the place. Getting the right people to talk on camera, working on my voice and editing was all challenging for me but with my friends by my side I made it through everything even the roughest and most difficult times in my personal life.
The stories I report on break my heart almost every time but the people I meet along the way keep me going. And my amazing friends are here rooting for me and still excited to see my finished pieces. From going to DTLA with me to shoot a stand-up, helping me figure out what to say in my stand-ups, hanging out with me in the newsrooms all night long, assisting me with my story ideas and meeting up to get a bite to eat after it all. I don’t know where I’d be without my friends. I appreciate you all.
Thank you Jyael for being my very best friend and dealing with all my craziness and sobbing phone calls. I love my customized cup and everyone in the office always comments on it. Thank you Beverly for being my soul sister and always listening to my crazy life stories you always calm me down in the midst of it all. I can’t wait to use my Starbucks gift card, still don’t know how you knew I’d need it, that was perfect timing! You both will come to the city soon, we all need to stay patient. I love you both so very much.
This past weekend in Miami is the reason for this post it just made my heart overflow with so much love and happiness. Kelcey, Cammeron, Tory, Mike and Amber the time we spent together was amazing. I hope this becomes a consistent tradition because it was very much needed to get out of the city and sit at the pool and beach. We did everything that you should do when you go to Florida and it was a blast. All our different personalities make the best group of friends ever. I miss you guys so much already.
Thank you God for blessing us all to have each other. I’m beyond thankful for all of you, even if your name wasn’t listed, this post is for you. I love you all and I just feel so full and excited for all of our futures. I’m glad we all have each other to push one another and keep striving for greatness.
Just want to remind you that being a 20-something is hard but you all make it a little easier. When we hang out and make jokes, think about them later it’s the absolute best thing. Just know time is on our side, we all are growing and making the best of every situation. I’m proud of all of us, YOLO.
Lauren Turner Dunn — Portfolio 