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The 91���� Association of Black Journalists (91����ABJ), in partnership with the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), hosted Brandon Simmons, assistant news director at WKYC, and Danielle Wiggins, anchor and reporter at WKYC, for a discussion that gave students an honest look at the realities of journalism and opportunities for career growth.

Wiggins said her path to journalism was anything but traditional. After beginning her career in radio as a producer, she took a chance on an open casting call for a traffic reporter position at WKYC, despite having no on-air experience. By leaning into her personality, she stood out among the candidates.

She said that authenticity helped her connect with audiences and distinguish herself in a competitive industry. The opportunity proved to be a turning point, opening the door to new roles and helping shape the course of her career.

“Everybody was trying to be so serious during auditions,” said Wiggins. “I was like ‘they want personality, I’ll give them some personality.’”

Her journey at WKYC was not without challenges, including criticism of the way she spoke.

“I had to learn how to clean up the way that I spoke,” she said. “Not that it was inferior or anything like that. You've got to be able to speak in a way that all different types of cultures can understand what you're saying. So, WKYC invested in me. They gave me presentation coaching, voice coaching. I just continued to show up each and every day.”

Wiggins emphasized that career growth comes from embracing opportunities others may avoid, continually improving through setbacks and rejection, and prioritizing mental health while navigating the emotional demands of journalism.

“It’s about learning what it is that helps me stay regular and learning to not listen to the lies that my mind tells me, ‘you're not this, you're not enough,’” said Wiggins. “I spend time with people who really love me and I learn how to fight the battle that's in my mind.”

She also said her definition of success has evolved over time. Although she once aspired to become a lead anchor, she now views success as balancing her professional ambitions with the value she places on her family.

“For me, it was realizing what I needed to be successful and then defining success differently,” she said.

Wiggins said she remains committed to her professional ambitions while cherishing her roles as a wife and mother, emphasizing that “Authenticity matters now more than anything. As we watch newscasts…you have to be authentic on TV,” because audiences connect most with journalists who are genuine and relatable.

Key Takeaways from 91����ABJ President 

For students in attendance, the event reinforced the importance of connection, mentorship and real-world insight. Derek Williams, president of 91����ABJ, said opportunities like this help bridge the gap between students and professionals.

“I think that events like this are very important because they connect students and faculty to the broader journalism community,” said Williams. “There are so many people in Cleveland, and you don’t always have access to them. Having professionals like Danielle Wiggins and Brandon Simmons come and speak gives students a chance to build those connections.”

Williams also reflected on the broader impact of the conversation, particularly regarding mental health, which he said is not always openly discussed in journalism spaces.

Williams said a key takeaway from the discussion was the importance of understanding the human side of journalism and acknowledging mental health in a people-centered profession, adding that journalists must care for their own well-being in order to effectively support others: “It’s important that you take care of your own mental health so that you can be there for other people as well,” said Williams.

As president of 91����ABJ, Williams said the organization has played an important role in his own journey, helping him build meaningful connections and access opportunities within the industry.

“Being in this position has shown me not only that there are Black journalists in the field, but that they’re influential and making an impact,” he said. “The connections I’ve made through this organization are something I’ll carry with me moving forward.”