The 2nd edition of Capitol Broadcasting’s Emerging Leaders Program reaches its pinnacle today. The 11 students interning in the CBC collaboration with Leadership Triangle officially become Goodmon Fellows on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
The almost dozen students from three local universities, NC Central, Shaw and St. Augustine’s, have spent the past 4 months in hands on learning in various CBC divisions and participating in workshops lead by LT coaches.
MCC Director of Business Development Christian Adams, a mentor in the 2023 program, loves the interactive opportunity for practical knowledge the interns are given during their time at CBC.
Emerging Leaders intern Jalaysha Tucker learns about marketing and sales at Microspace, CBC’s satellite division.
“The Emerging Leaders program is a great way for young adults to learn firsthand from professionals in the fields they are going to school for,” he told CapCom. “I believe there is no better experience than real world experience and the professors and classes will only take them so far, because at some point they will have to go out and put that knowledge to use. The Emerging Leaders program gives them a great opportunity to challenge themselves and build on networks and connections that could possibly fast start their careers.”
Another CBC mentor, WRAL-FM Director of Sales Terry Ratliff also is a big believer in the value of Emerging Leaders.
“Firstly, it’s an important program because it allows us as a company and as individuals to give back,” he said. “We all have received assistance and direction along the way, and this is a way for us to pay it forward. It also allows us to have a hand in training the new people that will hopefully be entering media as a career: Hopefully at CBC.”
“Everyone, if possible, should make it part of their professional journey to put their hand out to the generation behind them and offer wisdom, kindness and encouragement. As that ripple spreads through generations, regardless of culture, religion, race or other… what a kinder professional world it would be.”
WRAL Digital Content Strategist Mandy Howard
Adams worked with NC Central junior Jalaysha Tucker, the Marketing Coordinator intern at Microspace, CBC’s satellite division.
“I have definitely not had a shortage of laughs working with Jalaysha,” he said. “I admire how she approaches new task with an almost comedic honesty, if she has no idea she is going to let me know ‘I have no idea what you are talking about’ and I appreciate her never being afraid to be upfront. I believe her willingness to try and not worry about failing is going to take her a long way as she creates her career path and uncovers new skillsets and opportunities.”
He continued, “I know Jalaysha has a lot on her plate between school and extracurricular activities, but I can tell she really wanted to learn and make sure that each task was done right.
Adams worked to share practical on-the-job philosophies that he sees as integral to success.
“One of the early lessons I had in my career was the importance of being on time and the perception it has on your dedication to your craft,” he explained. “One of the few things we can control is our punctuality and it goes a long way in painting the picture of dependability and structure. I can tell that she didn’t get offended by the message but took the lesson to heart and started to practice showing up early with a mindset for excellence.”
CBC’s 2023 class of Emerging Leaders Interns participate in a group learning activity in September.
Ratliff worked with Jalaina Harry Smith, a senior at NC Central, teaching her about sales. He aimed to teach her, “Time management, perseverance, controlling what is within her power (her attitude, her effort and her approach).”
He appreciated seeing the gains she made.
“This is a fantastic program that allows us to interact with amazing young people,” said Ratliff. “Jalaina entered our building with very little knowledge about what happens on this side of the business and has learned a lot through the process. I have seen growth in her since the first day.”
Adams also appreciates the growth he has seen in Tucker.
“Whatever Jalaysha decides to do as she finishes college, I am sure that she will find success, especially if she can continue to approach obstacles without fear as she was able to do in her time with us,” he said. “I am excited to see her excel in the rest of her college and professional career.”
Ratliff and Adams both appreciated the willingness of their interns to learn.
“Jalaina has had a chance to experience what it is like to be a Strategic Account Executive and to work onsite at promotional events,” said Ratliff. “She has approached it all with a very willing spirit and enthusiasm. I wish her all the best with her upcoming graduation and wherever her career pursuits take her.”
Emerging Leaders intern Jalaysha Tucker learns about marketing and sales at Microspace, CBC’s satellite division.
Several Emerging Leaders interns worked in CBC’s Durham divisions. AU Executive Director Tim Scales worked with a student at American Underground.
“The Emerging Leaders Program is valuable not just because it provides an opportunity for students in the Triangle to gain hands-on experience within CBC, but also because it provides teams and managers the opportunity to learn from Gen Z team members as their generation fills an increasing proportion of the workforce and our customer base,” he said.
He worked with a junior at NC Central, Jessella Gaymon.
“Jessella jumped into marketing for the American Underground, specifically focusing on our social media channels and content strategy,” explained Scales. “A major goal of her internship was to plan and launch a TikTok channel for the AU, which just went live this month. Her role was to research trends, propose initial video concepts, and create that content for the channel alongside our marketing manager Courtney High.”
The program also includes a retreat led by Leadership Triangle in late September, which was held at the River & Twine, the tiny home hotel at Rocky Mount Mills.
Several members of CBC’s DEIB Council attended one afternoon of the retreat.
“A special thanks goes to Na’Tasia, Errik and Jaylin for taking the time to drive out to Rocky Mount and pour into our students,” said Leadership Triangle’s Chimi Boyd-Keyes, the Lead Facilitator for the 2023 Emerging Leaders program. “They consistently said that the session was the best part of the retreat!”
The 2023 Emerging Leaders interns at a retreat near the beginning of the program. Three members of CBC’s DEIB Council (seated, l to r) WRAL-TV’s Jaylin Jones, Corp’s Na’Tasia Robinson & WRAL Digital’s Errik Reid, came to talk to the group.
Corp HR Recruiter/Generalist Na’Tasia Robinson is one of the CBC DEIB Council members who participated in that session. She also helped mentor one of the Emerging Leaders interns at the Durham Bulls, NC Central student Lauryn Goins.
“The program is important because it helps CBC become an employer of choice in the community,” said Robinson. “What training these interns means for the future workforce is they have an opportunity to possibly be considered for permanent full-time opportunities.”
She gave a positive illustration coming out of last year’s program: “For example, we hired Anthony Robinson for a full-time network operations technician position over at Microspace last year after he completed his emerging leaders program. This means that based on what openings we have, some of the interns may be interested in working for CBC in the future. This may help us build a bench or pipeline of candidates for future openings. It helps us promote the different divisions within CBC. It helps us be better managers, mentors, co-workers, and leaders.”
Thanks to MCC’s Christian Adams and Leadership Triangle for these CapCom photos.
CBC’s 2023 class of Emerging Leaders Interns participate in a group learning activity in September.
Check out the previous Emerging Leaders Profiles:
