Majic 107.5/97.5 welcomed Avant to Atlanta for a private concert with some lucky fans last week. Majic listeners that called into the station and won got a chance to get up close and personal with the R&B singer at Vanquish Lounge.
Avant did a short interview with Majic personality SiMan and also sampled several songs off his new album “Face The Music” for the crowd. After a short break, Avant took the stage again and performed to a packed house many of his hit singles from past albums.
Throughout AV’s performance he took a couple breaks in the music to take a moment and talk to his fans. He made sure to stress how thankful he is for all their support.
“I love ya’ll so much for being supporters over the years,” Avant said. “To see my people out here and we feeling good about one another, that’s a beautiful thing.”
At one point in the show, AV turned the music off and sang other notable songs from his albums a cappella style. During this time he also made some fans very happy by giving them direct eye contact and serenading them. After the concert was over Avant decided to “Face The Fans” and stay to take pictures and converse with his supporters.
Avant’s new album titled “Face The Music” will be in stores on Tuesday February 5, 2013 and his next Atlanta show will be on September 7th at the Wolf Creek Amphitheater.
Follow Avant on Twitter!!
@AvantMusic
Writer’s Thoughts:
It was a delight meeting Avant for the second time in one weekend and seeing him perform live for the first time. I had met him at the Trumpet Awards two days prior to the Vanquish show and when I seen him again he remembered me and the tweet I sent with the picture we took. He truly is a SWEETHEART! I go to a lot of concerts so I’m use to meeting artists every now and then, but not all of them are as kind as we’d imagine them to be. It was heart warming to see him take the time to meet all his fans, take pictures, and talk with them. He also did more songs than he was scheduled to do...at a free show that’s definitely rare! I could tell that his fans really mean a lot to him which made me enjoy his presence even more. I look forward to seeing him at the next Atlanta show.
Be sure to check out the photos and video clip I took and at the concert below!
 From L to R: Brittany Benson, G. Woods, and Beyonce Alowishus The UGA chapter of NABJ hosted an event on campus that highlighted business and journalism with social media.
“From Corporate to Dot-Com” was held on November 14th and featured a panel of three industry professionals. UGA welcomed the CEO of The Branding Bar, Brittany Benson, Social Media Manager for Radio One, GWoods, and producer of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and radio personality for Hot 107.9, Beyonce Alowishus.
The NABJ Public Relations chair, Maya Clark, was the moderator and led the discussion. Questions were tailored to the relationship between the journalism field and the growing movement of social media. The panelists shared their answers and incorporated stories from their personal experience using social media with their jobs.
The reoccurring theme throughout the night was about branding yourself. All three panelists agreed that a huge factor in starting and advancing your career is linked to branding. Radio Personality and Producer Beyonce also mentioned the importance of identifying your brand.
“Figure out who you are and what you want people to know you for,” Beyonce said. “It can’t just be a whole bunch of things, work on your brand.”
Social Media guru GWoods said it’s beneficial to be multifaceted when looking for employment.
“If you can do more than one thing you’re definitely an asset,” GWoods said. “You’re definitely something they don’t want to let go.”
Branding Bar CEO Brittany Benson stressed the importance of staying up on the industry as helpful advice to aspiring journalists.
“It’s so evolving, it’s so many changes,” Benson said. “There’s not per se guidelines with social media, you just have to stay with your feet in the ground and know what’s going on with the trends.”
One question in particular that stood out had to do with how social media can help verse hinder you in landing a job. Beyonce brought up a good point by saying that social media gives employers the chance to get a sense of your personality before they meet you.
“It’s an easier way to get your foot out in the door verses being some blank application or package sitting on someone’s desk.” Beyonce said.
Brittany Benson, GWoods, and Beyonce stayed around after the event ended to chat with students who had further questions. “From Corporate to Dot-Com” was a great way for students to see the link between social media and their current lives as students, as well as in the future when job searching.
You can find all of the panelists on Twitter!
Beyonce: @BeyonceATL
Brittany Benson: @MissBrittanyB
GWoods: @iamgwoods
Writer’s thoughts:
Although I was filming most of the time, I personally enjoyed the “From Corporate to Dot-Com” event! It was definitely my favorite from this semester and probably the most helpful. It was my favorite because I walked into the event unsure of how much I would take away. I definitely felt like I learned a substantial amount from the panelists and I would like to thank all of them for their time and honest and truthful answers to all the questions asked.
Athens, GA — Let’s be honest. Transferring from one school to another between the school year can be a pressuring thing. Exciting but possibly terrifying as well. Being a transfer student can probably be one of the toughest challenges during your academic school year. Adjusting from one location to another especially when your prospective school location consists of over 35,000 students, 389 buildings on 759 acres can be intimidating when you came from a way smaller school as I did. It’ll definitely throw you in the freshman category hypothetically speaking when you’re a newbie to the school just as they are.
Here’s a little about me. I went to Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, GA as a freshman, but no Journalism courses were available. Then I came to Savannah State University (SSU), but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Next up was Dawg Nation, the University of Georgia; I enrolled as a Journalism undergrad. Being a 3-time transfer student I have been exposed to 3 different types of universities with 3 completely different personalities.
So here is a list that I have composed of tips, suggestions, advice, hints, etc. for all transfers from a transfer.
I. Learn the school :Take a tour it will be your new home for the next couple of years. Know where important and popular buildings are located (i.e. library, dining halls, admissions, etc.). It’s all about becoming comfortable in your new surroundings as well as how your new school functions. II. Check your class locations:This is so important to know and do as well. Before your classes even start for the semester go see for yourself exactly where your classes are located. Start off your first day on time and ready! III. Learn the bus schedule :Yes, campus transit is your friend. Grab a map and go. When I first started UGA I always had a shuttle map in my hand. Learn the bus route and where your destinations are along. Know what times your preferred bus comes until you understand the transit schedule better. Also, if you need more specifics don’t be afraid to ask the bus driver. They are not only there for all your commute desires but questions too. IV. Know Where You Stay:If you are in a new city, state, or even country it’s your duty to know your surroundings. Met some new friends? Let them take you out on a tour of the town. If you are more of a loner, take a careful and safe adventure on your own. Grab a map or open an app, your car keys or your most comfortable shoes and see what your new home away from home has to offer. V. Join Organizations :Being the new kid can be quite lonely when everyone around you are in groups of friends, but don’t miss out on that! Don’t be so isolated, organizations are a great place to find new friends. Pick out clubs that spark your interest and you want to devote your time too. Not only will you be involved on campus but you can meet awesome people in the process. For UGA students who are looking to join the Transfer Student Organization at UGA, click the hyperlink. VI. Get Acquainted with Your Roommates:Let’s be honest you guys are going to be somewhat of a “unit” for the school year, especially if you don’t know anyone else at school. Let your roommates help you along the way as you may somehow be help to them. VII. Stay Focus:Don’t let the pressure of a new school get to you and affect your grades. You are the boss. Things may be a little shaky at first, but eventually you’ll get the hang of it. Cancel out any and everything that distracts you from conquering your new school. VIII. Be Yourself :Stay true to who you are wherever you go. Going to a new place gives you the opportunity of a fresh start but you don’t want to lose yourself. In my opinion, letting your personality shine is a key to happiness. You may never know who you’ll meet and how much you’ll have in common. IX. Relax :Ease that tension you’re feeling and show that stress the door. Don’t be so nervous about your transition, anticipate it. A jump from one school to another can cause some friction in your comfort level, however; you decide how long it will last. X. Have Fun:Last but certainly not least—have fun. After all that’s said and done, enjoy your undergrad years, you only get one.
“The Grady College of Journalism has changed my life,” is something I’ve said several times to friends and family back home that ask about my experience here in Athens.
As an exchange student, it was interesting for me to come from the journalism department at my home university, CSU Northridge, into the Grady program here at UGA. I had not the slightest clue what to expect or how everything would pan out. One thing I did know, was the fact that I had heard many great things about Grady in the past. The location and the good comments I had heard about the university made it easy in choosing a school to exchange to.
Throughout this semester I’ve been granted many opportunities that have expanded my knowledge, experience, and love for the broadcast journalism field. I’ve been privileged to be able to join and participate in campus clubs/organizations linked to journalism such as NABJ and DiGamma Kappa. I’ve been able to assist filming interviews, attend various production workshops, hear industry speakers, go one studio tours in Atlanta, and write for the awesome NABJ Showcase Blog!
The connections I’ve made here at UGA are very sincere. The staff members are usually very friendly and professors take their time in assisting students with whatever questions they come in with. I can’t speak for every major within Grady, but I see the Digital Broadcast students as a family. There’s been days where we’ve had impromptu gatherings after class to hang out, and our long lab/mock shows hours have only helped us grow closer.
I’ve learned that here at Grady the opportunities are always there if you put in the effort to go after them. It is no surprise that the resources, organizations, and curriculum in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication sets their students up for success.
Athens, GA - Studying abroad is not the only way students can experience education at a different university. UGA offers a program that allows students to discover their academic potential at another school in the U.S.
A year ago UGA student, Morgan Poole, participated in the National Student Exchange. Through this program she was able to spend an academic year at the university of her choice. After weighing the pros and cons, she decided that University of Alaska, Fairbanks was a perfect choice.
“Alaska was entirely like everything that I wanted to do,” Poole says. “So it just made it a lot more special.”
Poole made many connections during her stay in Alaska, but one in particular means a lot to her.
“I actually met my boyfriend there and we’ll be together for 11 months in a few days.”
Poole’s favorite part about Alaska was the cold weather and the scenery.
“Just having the snow there year round because it never snows in Georgia.” Poole says, “And everything I did outside was fun because I would try to go outside even if it was negative 30."
She got a chance to experience things like the Northern Lights, which is unique to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, sledding at night and other fun activities.
There are currently 200 campuses nationwide that participate in this program. Students can go to any of those universities for a semester or a year and pay UGA tuition. Students interested in National Student Exchange should stop by the Center of Student Organizations in the Tate Center on campus to grab an N.S.E. booklet. It contains information on all the schools that participate in the program and could be helpful in deciding on which schools to apply for.
NSE can be more then just a great experience for a student, it can also be beneficial to the university as well. Josh Podvin is the Senior Coordinator of the CSO and says he sees how UGA students make inroads all the time while on exchange and bring back ideas that help better the campus.
Poole encourages other UGA students to take advantage of the opportunities N.S.E. offers.
“I think it’s great for anyone to kind of put themselves out of their comfort zone,” Poole says. “It’s really fun to go somewhere else and just like researching other options and there’s so many other places in the world, like why not explore.
About one third of NSE students that come to UGA from other universities for a semester or year actually end up transferring and enrolling in classes.
ATHENS, Ga.—They met in the middle school orchestra. One played the violin and the other played the viola. While both could catch footballs and shoot baskets, their passion was music. Donarell Green and Marlon Wymbs, both 21, are part of the vanishing demographic of African-American males, ages 18 to 24. For the Athens, Ga. natives, everyday is a constant fight to not become another statistic. “All the residents in Clarke County, after they graduate from high school—if they graduate from high school—don’t strive for more,” said Green, a junior political science major with pre-law intents at Morehouse College. In 2011, only 7 of 10 Clarke County seniors graduated from high school. John Legend, Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter, is familiar with this story. He presented a lecture about educational inequality to University of Georgia students on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. As the salutatorian of his high school in Springfield, Ohio, he was the exception. Many of his classmates did not graduate. “Lack of education fuels the cycle of individuals trapped in poverty,” Legend said. Like Legend, Green and Wymbs are trying to break the cycle of poverty and make it in the music industry. The two united with a close friend, Tedarrein “TD” Bess, 20, to form the hip-hop group, Lyrical Pain. In pursuit of their dreams, they knew higher education would be the key. All three went to school in the Atlanta area. “Athens is just not a city built for the stuff we want to do,” Bess said. Bess and Wymbs completed programs in August 2010 at Omnitech Institute in Decatur, Ga. They studied music production and network engineering respectively. The group, who writes their own lyrics and produces their own beats, has come a long way since middle school. Green and Wymbs once recorded songs over the phone on cassette tapes using a karaoke machine. “We went all the way from that, to what you hear now,” Wymbs said. Plan B? For Green, there is a slight conflict of interest between his musical aspirations and his academic pursuits. Green is the son of Donarell R. Green IV, a partner at Green & Green Law Firm in Athens, Ga. “Law school is my back up plan,” Green said. Green and Wymbs agree that their music will not pay for itself right now. Green plans to attend law school and Wymbs works as a Geek Squad consultant at Best Buy in order to fund their music. “We’re still smart, intelligent black guys. You can’t take that away from us,” Wymbs said. In 10 years, the duo hopes to be retired, but not in the traditional sense. Both want to pursue music full time and mentor other young black men from the Athens area. “If we don’t, the African-American community is going be extinct in America, especially black males,” Green said. “Guys like us are rare today.” In late March 2012, Green met Curtis Harris, Jr., an A&R Consultant with Atlantic Records, at the University of Georgia’s Professional Entertainment and Sports Association Summit. The Summit is an annual conference exposing students to professional opportunities, educational seminars and the inspiration to follow their passions. Green and Harris have been in contact since The Summit and are working on artist development. “We’re at a stage where we’re not settling for anything less than success,” Green said. -- Listen to Lyrical Pain’s music http://www.reverbnation.com/lyricalpain View statistics on African-American males http://www.kff.org/minorityhealth/upload/7541.pdf
ATHENS, Ga. --Grammy-Award winning artist, John Legend, presented a lecture about education and performance for university students in Tate Grand Hall at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.
As an inspirational speaker and educational enthusiast, Legend arrived to a sold-out Grand Hall and delivered a lecture on the status of education and various social injustices.
Often, fanatics and the general public denounce celebrity opinions regarding social issues or education. However, Legend’s lecture received a roaring applause after stating his positions on education reform and some political views.
“He truly showed us that artists can be great musicians and social activists at the same time,” said Jordan Hartgens, 20, a third-year international affairs major from Roswell, Ga.
During the lecture, Legend explained his views on the importance of mentorship and giving back to the community.
“We have to do our part,” Legend said.
Legend also voiced some of his political views during the lecture. As an avid supporter of President Barack Obama, Legend blatantly expressed his stance on this year’s upcoming election and the necessity for our generation to get out and vote.
Following the passionate lecture, Legend answered five questions from the audience that were polled from social media website, Twitter.
For many fans, this question-and-answer session proved very rewarding for their knowledge and acceptance of Legend, as they got to learn about him from a personal standpoint.
“It’s really cool to see how open to he was to the crowd and he’s really intelligent,” said Vanecia Thompson, a third-year journalism major from Lithonia, Ga.
Immediately following the question-and-answer session, Legend captured everyone’s hearts again with his heartfelt piano playing and soulful serenades.
Closing the event with his chart-topping song ‘Ordinary People’, Legend engaged the crowd with this powerful voice for the rest of the night.
Let me start by saying that I am a glutton for punishment when it comes to my TV choices. I openly loathe reality TV but I love watching it. Nothing is more gripping than watching shows about people doing ridiculous things like drunkenly hooking up with anything with a pulse every night (I’m talking about you, Jersey Shore!). Nothing!
But as of late, my hate for certain shows is trumping the soft spot that I have for them. The best way I can describe how I feel is with a sternly-worded, completely unbiased letter. So here it is: My letter to Toddlers and Tiaras.
Dear Toddlers and Tiaras:
My mother taught me that letters must open with a proper greeting, but please know that I think you deserve nothing of the kind. The blatant exploitation of children on your show is ridiculous. The use of make-up, hair extensions, and fake tans and teeth on children so young that they still need to have nap time to function with any level of sanity is loathsome. The parents that live vicariously through the budding lives that they are shaping disgust me and the judges that deem one little girl unfit for competition because she is “ugly” is even worse.
How could you so blatantly perpetuate the idea that beauty can only be attained by unnatural means? Since when is parading infants around to be picked and prodded at as if they were cattle acceptable? And who on Earth decided that it is okay to give a 6-year-old a mixture of Mountain Dew and Red Bull so that she would have enough energy to parade around in front of the judges? Adults shouldn’t even drink that! But you all think that it’s perfectly okay because at least she isn’t giving her child alcohol (Yes, the child’s mother did say that. No, you aren’t the only one that doesn’t understand why she should be accoladed for not allowing her 6-year-old to drink.).
By primping 4-,5-, and 6-year-olds and making them believe that to be beautiful and win this pageant your skin needs to be darker, teeth whiter, and hair longer, you are perpetuating the idea that the way people look naturally just isn’t good enough. Millions of girls (and boys) deal with issues of accepting their body images every day. Statements like “We don’t want children that are ugly” (quoted from a judge on one episode of the show) does nothing to better the way children accept themselves.
I heard one little girl on the show say “It feels so good to be skinny” and it was heart breaking. In my opinion, statements like that are the first steps to the development of eating disorders. Children shouldn’t focus on their weight, but on developing their lives. Creativity should be valued over their looks. Enjoying getting to know a world that is so new to them should be the focus over trying to make 5-year-olds looks like they are triple that age. Children should be, well, children.
I guess it really isn’t your fault that pageants exist and people partake in them, but broadcasting to the world the sometimes vile nature of participants in pageants is disgraceful. Not only are the children that take place in the pageants affected, but also those that watch from home and compare themselves to what they see on the screen. I know the goal of TV programming is to entertain, but at what cost?
I’ve said all of that to say this:
Toddlers and Tiaras, your show really resembles the bashing of children’s appearances to me. Remember how susceptible young minds are. Maybe one day you can save a life.
-Parys
The fast-paced environment of a newsroom is enough to make anyone wonder how the many parts that make up a newscast are combined to create the timely and reliable news seen on television every day. At UGA NewSource, students have the opportunity to understand this process right on the University of Georgia campus. As a student-run program, UGA NewSource gives volunteers and broadcast majors hands-on experience working in the newsroom. “It makes you aware of how many moving parts go into making a newscast,” said Jason Hafford, a digital and broadcast journalism major from Snellville, GA. The NewSource staff is made up of two parts: the editorial and production teams. The editorial team, a class of senior broadcast journalism majors, finds stories and generates news. In addition to receiving course credit, these students gain first-hand experience as they rotate through typical jobs in the newsroom which include: anchor, writer, reporter, videographer, producer, assignments editor, sports and weather. Volunteers make up the production team and are not required to have previous experience. They can be from any major. These students rotate through various technical positions each week which include: teleprompter, floor director, cameras, graphics, video packaging, live shot and audio. Each day at 3:15 p.m. the crew gathers for a meeting to discuss the sequence of the newscast and run through stories before live air time at 5 p.m. After the broadcast, students meet again for feedback on their performance. This meeting is also televised, which gives viewers the opportunity to see how a newscast works. “It really allows viewers to get in on what goes into making newscasts, not only behind the scenes, but also as an educational resource for people to watch,” said James Brierton, a junior, and digital and broadcast journalism major from Long Island, NY. Brierton is also the News Manager of NewSource. Initially, the program only covered news in the UGA community. However, Michael Castengera, senior lecturer of telecommunications at Grady College and Executive Producer of NewSource, implemented a new system that included news coverage for Northeast Georgia. Today, the broadcast reaches three surrounding counties. “Professor Castengera made an initiative for [the news] to be not solely about UGA, but about Northeast Georgia in general,” said Brierton. The valuable experience gained through working in a newsroom has helped students involved in NewSource go on to work for CNN, NBC and many other established networks. “Journalism is a field where you need to know yourself and you to need study it, but a lot of it is experience and practice and that’s what UGA NewSource offers to students,” said Brierton. The 30-minute newscast airs Monday through Thursday at 5 p.m. on the University Cable Channel and is re-aired at 11 p.m. on WUGA-TV. For more information on UGA NewSource visit their website.
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