Students visit The Chronicle for up-close look
Photo by J.R. Reed
Fourth- and fifth-grade students affiliated with the Winston-Salem Jack and Jill Chapter are shown in a section of the newsroom at The Chronicle. Publisher Emeritus Ernie Pitt and Managing Editor Donna Rogers are in the background.
Chronicle Staff Report
A group of nine fourth- and fifth-grade students affiliated with the Winston-Salem Jack and Jill Chapter saw the success of a local decades-old African-American newspaper this week.
Jack and Jill of America is a membership organization of mothers dedicated to nurturing future African-American leaders.
The visit to The Chronicle with entrepreneur and Publisher Emeritus Ernie Pitt was designed to inspire the children by exposing them to people in their own community who are similar to them culturally and who have succeeded in ways they can only dream of.
The children visited The Chronicle’s office and spent time with Pitt personally. They heard the story of how he came to start the only African-American news publication in Winston-Salem still in publication.
The children were also able to learn more about the media industry, which is something they are usually only exposed to as consumers.
Donna Rogers, managing editor, gave the students a tour of the newsroom and discussed the many facets of journalism as a career. She told the students that she began her career in journalism in the seventh grade, with the publications at her school.
The students asked thoughtful questions, such as: “How does The Chronicle help the black people?”
Pitt answered: “We love who we are, we love our kids, and we want others to see what’s going on.”
He also explained that the newspaper tells people who are in power that it’s not right to mistreat those who don’t have that power.
When recapping what they took away from their visit, Mark Oliver remembered Pitt saying: “Don’t be afraid to do whatever it takes to get to your dream.”
Lauren Oliver and Bailey Buckhannon both chimed in that they learned “that The Chronicle focuses on positive news stories about African-Americans instead of the negative stuff we might usually see.”
Jordan Shegog and Conner Lessane recalled Pitt’s wise words: “Hard work pays off. If you hate what you’re doing every day, maybe you’re doing the wrong thing.”
A few parents also were present during the visit.
The event was organized by Pam Oliver, who currently serves as Jack and Jill Chapter program chair.
She noted: “It was an honor to have an opportunity for our children to meet Mr. Pitt and to see the inspiration they received by talking with someone who has achieved so much. We hope to offer a similar experience for youth in our community later this year when we partner with community agencies to organize a Career Fair. Many children have a limited knowledge of what their career options could be later in life. We hope that by exposing them to a diverse selection of careers early in life, they will be motivated to continue achieving in school and to keep their options open as they progress through life.”
Jack and Jill of America is dedicated to nurturing future African-American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropy and civic duty.
Locally, the members of the Winston-Salem Chapter participate in cultural, educational, social and spiritual programming that will strengthen the family unit and benefit the African-American community through service and outreach.
Pam Oliver contributed to the report.
