Blog post – Lauren Turner Dunn

March 3, 2020March 4, 2020 lturnerdunn Blog post, Featured, Newsfeed

I Just Love My Friends

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.

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July 18, 2019July 18, 2019 lturnerdunn Blog post, Featured, Newsfeed

Hot girl summer begins…

There’s a lot of work to do besides sitting around and being hot.

me yello 2 — The day of the NYC power outage, views from Brooklyn.

Last month didn’t really feel like summer but now it’s officially in full affect. This week it’s going to get up to 100 degrees and I’ve already gotten into fights with my roommate, best friend and even my boyfriend. With all the heat it only makes me more hot tempered and aggressive. Of course, I like my alone time in front of the fan at my apartment but I also love spending time with my friends outdoors.

My hot girl summer consists of being a nice girl, my spirit hasn’t been the nicest lately. I’m really homesick, my mom had to give my dog away, sad about the dynamic of my family and I’m trying to swim at work instead of doggy-paddling.

water — I felt like I was almost drowning in Miami, when Shayne wasn’t around. I can definitely doggy-paddle but not for long… I really need to take swimming lessons again.

My first packages in college were almost never a walk in the park. I would cry, I wouldn’t sleep and the stories would just eat me alive. I’m still battling with this today. Of course I knew my career in journalism would be challenging but this toll is almost never ending: children dying in ICE custody, seeing the officer who shot Eric Garner not get charged and watching President Trump tell congresswomen “to go back to where they came from”, WHILE studying cases of wrongful convictions and young missing women isn’t easy. How can anyone be nice in such a rough time in American society? I’m thankful for my coworkers who I can talk to about all of this because they understand and are also going through it. They are the ones who remind me to smile, say good morning and ask how someone else is doing. I know I am strong and I am working on not crying after every little thing. I am blessed and thankful I’m not missing, dead or behind bars. I’ve taken my life and the people I love for granted and mistreated them too many times. It ends now…

Last lunch in Miami before we headed baclk to NYC.

In Las Vegas in front of the New York New York Hotel and Casino.

I want 2019 to be about loving more, growing and moving forward. This year started off rough but I’m going to keep learning to love and take care of myself. That means: getting the right amount of sleep, saying no to friends, taking off my chipped nail polish (quick), being on time to work, writing more, smiling more, drinking more tea, lighting candles to relax, paying to get my hair done, going to church more, not drinking as much, taking on more responsibility at work, keeping my room clean, and the list goes on…

hgs — #7 is a tough one since I’m already working on being on time, but I’ll try… Credit, Shaderoom

I’m proud of myself and happy with who I am becoming. I know when someone and something is wrong and I never want it to build and turn into something unnecessary. When nipping conflict in the bud my challenge is to learn how to speak to someone I’m upset with without offending them. This world has to change but it starts with me and I hope I can achieve it and leave others better than I found them. It gets tiresome always being the bigger person but I won’t be treated any other way than respectfully by anyone.

On a more positive note this year has been an amazing year so far. I’ve got to give 2019 and God some credit I’ve been blessed to go to Chicago, Miami and Connecticut for the first time. I’ve got my passport now and a family trip to Hawaii is planned for later this year. Hopefully I’ll also take another summer trip to Atlanta or Texas in the next few weeks.

In Las Vegas at Chinese restaurant Lala Noodle.

In Miami on Collins Avenue.

In Williamsburg, Kelcey pitched and produced this photoshoot.

At the Wynwood Walls in Miami. I love Spongebob, don’t mind my sweat spot.

June 13, 2019June 18, 2019 lturnerdunn Blog post, Featured, Newsfeed

Blow the Whistle Change the World

One PA, eight stories…

thumbnail_BC82CC1D-93BA-42F3-B63F-C72DAAFF6321-filtered — Out shooting b-roll of the whistleblower at the Chicago Lake Front. It was my first time there in the city.

I had no idea what the CBS Page Program had in store for me but I’m beyond grateful for every day that I get to report to the Broadcast Center.

In late October, I became a production associate (PA) for Whistleblower. I had watched the show before I interviewed for the program so I had an idea of the show but no idea how it was created.

This season featured many different industries: pharma, midwives and OBGYN doctors, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, SeaWorld, Chicago PD, spinal surgeries, a polygamous sect and so much more.

One of our whistleblowers from this season was Shannon Spalding. She blew the whistle on Chicago PD and immediately won my heart for her badass warrior persona. “It was like shock and awe,” she said about her experience going undercover in the Ida B. Wells projects. She wasn’t the only one thinking these thoughts. It was my first time being on a set and meeting a whole crew. Most of the days were cold, quiet and dark (until catering arrived).

The early mornings and late nights made it hard to have a life outside of work. I was working at Trader Joe’s less than part-time until I eventually had to quit. Shoots were seven days a week and when I wasn’t there, I was a graphics/ newsroom PA for Weekend News. I’ll never forget working everyday for a month straight and putting 80 hours on my timesheet for one week alone. This grind was and still is no joke but I didn’t come to NYC to play or sleep. I accepted the challenge and rose to the occasion. I was getting pushed by everyone around me and I appreciated the support. They wanted me there and I felt it.

I fell a couple times at this set house but I still managed to smile.

Hannah and I sitting in for Alex and the whistleblower.

My first field shoot was in December. I was excited because it was somewhere familiar and I got to help out in a different setting. Too bad I missed my train because I wasn’t early enough and got lost at Penn Station. Luckily the next one wasn’t hours away but 30 minutes later. I still felt terrible that I let my team down after they begged for me to go. I paid the fare difference out of my own pocket and apologized. They understood that you live and learn from mistakes so it made me feel at ease but I knew I couldn’t mess up again.

During these past few months, I’ve learned a lot about production, freelance, being a team player and also being happy about doing tasks that other people might not want to do. I got to help with the R. Kelly and Gayle King Interview, it was great working with such a large team and receiving my first credit with a network. I was juggling the special and my Whistleblower needs but it was really fun. Throughout this whole process I’ve always kept remembering why I wanted to be in this industry: to represent. On these sets and shoots there aren’t many African Americans.

thumbnail_IMG_1771 — Our Whistleblower party at the CBS Broadcast Center.

During most screenings I’m the only African American there. The Whistleblower team only has one African American and one Haitian producer both women. It’s not uncomfortable for me to be the only one. It makes me proud and want to stay so that I eventually can create change in the industry. I want more people of color to get inspired to edit, produce, shoot and overall get their foot in the door.

As Whistleblower wraps up I’m ready to work on more projects, grow with CBS News and possibly get back into reporting and editing. I really miss writing and working hard to get my own pieces up. I’m thankful for the amazing team that I got to work with and all their words of wisdom and great journalism and production skills. They’ve all inspired me and made me believe that I can do anything I put my mind to…. even to blow the whistle ;).

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September 9, 2018September 9, 2018 lturnerdunn Blog post, Newsfeed

I made it to New York! #LTDinNYC

It’s been almost a month since I touched down in New York.

I packed up three suitcases and a backpack and said peace out Cali. It still feels surreal. As a little girl I always dreamed of moving to New York, even though I had never even been. My first time in the Big Apple was last year when I took the bus from D.C. I had absolutely no idea that I would be starting my career here.

My best friends and mom before I headed out to the airport. Check out my suitcases… from the airport through the subways and all the way to Harlem.

It hasn’t been easy.

Applying for jobs was exhausting but I never lost hope. I was applying for jobs in LA, Atlanta, New York, and D.C. I was nonchalant about the positions, they ranged from full-time to part-time and I was open to being a producer, MMJ, editor, social media producer, intern, administrative assistant and even a receptionist. I wanted experience with a network whether it was news or entertainment. One after another the cover letters filled my laptop’s storage, but I wasn’t having any luck.

Finally I got an email from CBS about the Page position I applied for. I was excited finally I got a result from all the applications I was putting in the past few weeks. It was an online interview and a few days after that I got another email asking to schedule my next interview. I assumed it would also be online, but when I confirmed the date for the following week the location said New York. My heart sank! How could I possibly get to New York in week? I’ve never even flown to New York in my life, let alone from LAX. I didn’t sleep for at least three days overthinking it all and worrying about money. I reached out to ask if the company would help me get there and asked my professor what he knew but it was all a dead end. It was all up to me.

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity and I did have the funds saved up so I took the risk. I got the plane ticket at the last minute only because I couldn’t tell you how many times these questions roamed through my mind:

What if I don’t get it?

Am I going to leave my family?

How am I going to pay for it?

Who is going to interview me?

What are they going to ask me?

Do I really want to be a journalist?

How is the snow going to be?

Where would I live?

How would I do this?

Can I survive out there?

Is this for me?

When I finally made it to the interview I felt great but I can’t lie. Of course I was nervous. I thought what if I said this different or did my hair different… the what ifs were never ending but I “let go and let God”.

After my interview at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York. It was a group interview with three other people. I had one of the other ladies who also interviewed take this picture (we both got hired).

I kept applying for jobs in the meantime and figured I should go to NABJ to secure something just in case. I heard back the week of NABJ and was ecstatic and scared. They wanted me to get there in three weeks, but I had absolutely no money after NABJ.

I had no idea what to do but I figured I could take out a loan like everyone else but the banks and quick loan businesses rejected me faster than a girl getting cat called on the street by a not so handsome dude. Can you imagine how fast that is? Well if not I don’t know what else to compare it to. I thought about the trolls who made Kylie Jenner a GoFundMe like she actually needed it and how she still got money. So at this point it wouldn’t hurt. I created it and couldn’t believe I actually made more than $1200. I still cannot thank my family and friends enough for supporting me and my dream.

I flew out the next week and thank god this dude helped me pick up two of my suitcases to take up the stairs of the subway. Welcome to New York where the subway is blazing hot in the summer, the streets are gross and the bare minimum is just enough. I had found a perfect furnished little place in with roommates in Brooklyn. It didn’t have a washer or dryer but one of the roommates seemed cool via FaceTime and text. Also the $700 rent fit my budget perfectly. I started work Aug. 20th and was set to see the place on the 24th and move in on Sept. 1st. In the meantime I was at an Airbnb and sleeping on my friend’s couch I was a transient couch potato for about two weeks until my move-in date.

My first week of work was great. I was just so happy to be here and start my new life, but soon I learned that my position as a Page wouldn’t be enough to enjoy life. I was determined to get a second job in order to afford the costs of New York City living. I applied every night and got interviews quick! I set a goal to have a second job by the time of my birthday. Everything was going great, then the day before I was supposed to go see my new place the roommate text me saying her other roommates found someone else to take the room I was going to move into and that she already put the deposit down.

Earlier in the day, before I got the text from the potential roommate…

I was heartbroken. Back to square one looking for a place.

My friend was ready for me to get off of her couch but now I had absolutely nowhere to go. I planned to get an Airbnb, until I figured it out. Then I saw my friend had just moved into an apartment in Harlem on Instagram so I asked her about her place and she invited me to check the place out. They had an extra room for $875. I felt comfortable because I knew her, the deposit was only $500, the owner furnished the room and my commute would be 30 mins away to work.

I looked at a few more places but couldn’t afford them and didn’t feel comfortable so I moved into this four bedroom, one bathroom Harlem apartment. The owner was also nice to let me sleep on the couch until my lease started and room furniture arrived. The search for my second job continued from one couch to the next and the interviews kept coming. It’s been about a week since I’ve been in my room and although it is very small it’s very comfortable and it’s all my own. (Wouldn’t be possible without my loving community.)

As my birthday approaches, I’m excited to have both of my college best friends here in the city starting their journeys too. Also I met my goal of getting a second job before my birthday and I’m pleased to say I start work at Trader Joe’s on Monday. I’m so excited to meet new people, learn the culture of NY and get that discount on my groceries.

I know this was a long blog post but I really wanted to update you all on my life and thank everyone again so much for supporting me and believing in me. I am so blessed to turn 22 and live this amazing life. I’m extremely grateful for everyone’s kind words and wishes. My future’s so bright, it makes me so happy but I know it’s not going to be easy and that I still have so much more to learn and experience.

Thank you and love always,

LTD

December 16, 2017July 17, 2018 lturnerdunn Blog post, Newsfeed

#SemesterDunn

My last fall semester of my undergraduate career is finally over.

rdd — Raven would sing this song (by Johnny Cash) when she was little, this is why we call her our sunshine.

I’ve learned and I’ve lost. This has been the hardest semester of my life from commuting, working at the Sundial and KCSN, trying not to break down in tears every five minutes (after I lost my niece), applying to internships, to enjoying life, and staying on top of my classes.

A few Monday’s ago I got the worst phone call in my life from my sister saying that my niece was dead. I seriously thought it was a joke, I did not believe her. I went on about my day but I was still thinking and wondering why she called like that. I called my mom and she told me the police called and told her. In that moment I lost my best friend, she was only 11 years old.

Was it an accident? Did someone do this to her? Why her? Why wasn’t I there? When’s the last time I saw her or talked to her? Did she need me? Why haven’t I talked to her? Did God really take her away to save her? WHAT HAPPENED?!

My baby, my sunshine, my everything. Only ten years and three days apart, we had a special bond she told me exactly how she felt about me, made me feel like I was the best person in the world, but I wasn’t the only one she did this to. Raven Denyse, full of love and life, little did you know you are the best person are you have a huge part of my heart.

I pray one day you come and tell me what happened. I’m so sorry, I love you so much and I know you’re always watching over me, your mom, Nana, and all your siblings. You always looked up to me and let me know that you wanted to go to college and now I look up to you.

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With this degree and my dream job I wanted to conquer the world and go get you and make you feel special. With the New Year right around the corner my goal is to make those around me feel special just like you did, whether it’s a hug, a call, a smile, or a laugh. I’m trying to be strong even though it hurts so bad, I’m trying to finish, and become a better me.

Over the semester here are some of the things I have worked on I am extremely proud of myself for making it through this semester and improving.

Last On Point show: #MeTooNowWhat (Anchor)

Third On Point show: Strolling for Success (Producer)

Second On Point show: New School, New Surroundings: Now What? (Moderator)

First On Point show: Disaster Strikes! Are You Ready? (Anchor)

Black House re-opening (Reporter)

CSUN Family and Consumer Sciences Department (Reporter)