Cheryl L. Smith, 64

Publisher and Executive Editor, I Messenger Media (Texas Metro News, Garland Journal, I Messenger and Metro News), Dallas

First job in news:

A reporter for Capital Outlook in Tallahassee, Fla. Fresh out of college, I went from interning and learning every aspect of the business to working hard, full-time, for the money!

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned while working in news?

Let your work speak for you. Research, clarify, verify and never assume.

While some say there are no dumb questions, there are some ill-prepared, inconsiderate and inappropriate ones. Be respectful at all times.

Don’t focus on trying to be a celebrity; instead, do good work that will be celebrated.

Everyone has a story. Listen and don’t overtalk sources during interviews. Build and cultivate sources. Thank people for their time.

When you reflect on your career to date, what brings you the greatest sense of accomplishment?

I love that long before there was “convergence” or multimedia journalists, I was delving across platforms and learning all forms of journalism as an educator and practitioner.

My biggest sense of accomplishment has been realized through my efforts as a mentor to so many aspiring journalists — whether it was in the Dallas-fort Worth Association of

Black Journalists’ Urban Journalism Workshop; for NABJ, and the numerous students I taught at Paul Quinn College, Univ. of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University, Dallas College; and those my alma mater, FAMU. I have tried to be to others what I felt I needed.

What are your predictions for where news publishing/news media is heading?

I am optimistic that news publishing/news media will bounce back stronger as more organizations realize and take advantage of opportunities to collaborate and reinvent. Even though we hear of the doom and gloom of print, skillful business models and aggressive and innovative ways to engage audiences will ensure a brighter future. Living in Texas, there was a time when we were without power. Guess what? People picked up our publications! I don’t care what platform it is; if you are not serving a need or a want, you will become obsolete. But those who are more engaging than arrogant and more involved than oblivious will find that audiences appreciate them more.

I sincerely believe this cycle must run its course, and those in the industry must also run it. Sitting back waiting for audiences to come to you is like having a party but not inviting anyone. We’ve got work to do! We must build trust, and we have to be involved.

} Cheryl Smith, publisher and executive editor at I Messenger Media, was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in August of this year.