The more I explore as the Connoisseur of Fresh, the more I have a chance to meet wonderful people. Right here in Memphis, there are so many talented individuals. Meet Alondra Hunt, a 23-year old graduate of Middle Tennesse State University and a recent guest correspondent for BET's 106 and Park "The Search"contest. In July of this year, BET announced the departure of Rocsi and Terrence J from 106 & Park and the network began looking for new hosts. This opened the doors for everyone in the country to submit their videos and aim for a chance to be the new host of the countdown show. Alondra saw her chance and went for it. With her experience and background, she made a potential great fit for the show. I had a chance to sit and talk with Alondra, and she let me know a little about herself and her experience with BET.
AH- To be perfectly honest…not much has changed externally. Of course my name has gotten out a lot more than it was for wanting to do broadcast and also a few doors have opened up for me to grow in the field, but the real change occurred internally for me. While I’ve always had the confidence that I can do what I set out to do, I was still waiting on that true confirmation that I was going after the right thing. That happened when I got that call from BET; the people there noticed something in me that I honestly thought they wouldn’t recognize. For just an everyday girl with a dream, that was HUGE for me, as it would be for anybody in my position. The truth is, you just never expect things like that to just happen, but it did. Because of that, I feel assured and more encouraged now than ever! Just getting a taste of what I want to do as a career really boosted my drive to another level. I know the Lord ordained that for a reason…I now know for sure that I can’t stop until I’m doing what I love every single day. He spoke through that opportunity and told me not to settle…so I won’t.
COF- How did you get started in media?
AH- I actually got started in media by way of Journalism. I used to write for the Teen Appeal (a city wide newspaper written by Memphis City Schools High School Students) all through high school. Through that program I developed a love for journalism. At the same time, I was always the student you would catch with the mic in their hand. I was either MC’ing or giving a speech of some sort, so I also had a passion for public speaking. My senior year I decided that Broadcast Journalism would be the field that I go into because it incorporated both of the things I loved to do: gather information and talk about it on camera. To make a long story very short, I was active with Middle Tennessee State University’s television station, MTTV. I got a lot of great on-camera experience through them. I also was the host for the Atlanta Greek Picnic’s web show called AGPTV for two consecutive years. That in itself was an awesome experience and really helped groom me as an aspiring video journalist.
COF- What are your future plans moving foward?
AH- My plans are to nurture my skills and talents so that I can branch out and gain employment in a city where the media is thriving. Right now, I’m doing internships that will help build my resume and gain more knowledge so that I can be well versed. A lot of people tell me I should just up and leave Memphis, but the truth is, if I left now…I’m not exactly sure how far I could go. Broadcast/media is such a competitive field and you have to go about it very strategically. The odds of a big break out of the clear blue are slim to none. So while I’m home, I’m taking advantage of the opportunities to gain more knowledge and experience so that when I feel it’s time, I can leave and have something to fight with. Right now, my most immediate goal is to work for a radio station. A lot of VJ’s get their start in radio so I know that that’s a field I need to break into to get that enhance my skills and diversify my resume. Shout out to T.K. of Hot 107.1 because I wrote her asking if I could shadow at the station and she welcomed me with open arms! She’s been showing me the ropes and I am SO thankful for that! Hopefully, someday fairly soon, you all will hear my voice through your radio!
COF- What do you like most about growing up in Memphis?
AH- I love the realness of my city! I love the ambition of the people here. Although Memphis as a whole, may not be the most productive city…it’s the people that are ALWAYS on some type of grind. If not for people grinding and having passions and dreams, a lot of the programs that helped mold me would not be in place. For example: The Young Actor’s Guild, Playhouse on the Square, the Memphis Challenge, the Memphis Rotary Club, the Teen Appeal, and a number of other programs really helped groom the winner in me! It’s because of the visionaries we have in this city that thought of children like me, that I can go outside of the city and prove that I am competent and a force to be reckoned with. I’ve experienced first-hand how the rest of America tends to view southerners. They think we’re country and uneducated. However, I grew up in a city that instilled in me the importance of being great in spite of everything. Here in Memphis, the struggle IS the motivation and that’s what I’ve always loved about growing up here.
COF- What makes you FRESH?
AH- I’m FRESH because all I claim to be…is Alondra Cerise. She is a child of God, a daughter, a sister, and an AWESOME friend! Ha…but seriously, that’s all I am. I’m not big on giving myself a title…I am who I am, I do what I do, and I love what I love. I’m confident in all of those things and that’s all that seriously matters. I’m a work in progress but I’m not alone so I believe strongly in helping while being helped. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! I’m FRESH…simply because I care and I’ll own up to that. So many people uplift the thought of not caring about anything…but what will you gain if you don’t invest into SOMETHING? The relationships we build, the way we appear to people, the quality of work we do, they all matter…at the end of the day your reputation with others is a huge factor in whom you become. I’m FRESH…because I’m honest and genuine…and what’s from the heart ALWAYS reaches the heart…I hope I’ve reached those of you reading this! DON’T EVER…EVER…GIVE UP!!!! Find your passion…nurture it…amd GROW!
Just like Alondra everyone can live out their dreams and become a better person than they were yesterday. As always, enjoy and stay FRESH!!
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