Stories We Tell

By Amaris Hill

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Alexis Wainwright told a small group of N.C. A&T journalism students that overcoming imposter syndrome—the nagging feeling of inadequacy—starts with thorough preparation.

A proud Crosby Kid —journalism students study in Crosby Hall—from the class of 2016, Wainwright met with students Friday via Zoom during a “Crosby Chat,” sharing insights into the journalism industry and recounting her career journey.

Now a reporter and traffic anchor for CBS affiliate WUSA9 in Washington, D.C.—the seventh-largest media market in the country—Wainwright recalled one of her fondest college memories: chasing down stories across Greensboro with classmate Dominique Moody (now a reporter at WRC in Washington) armed only with a scanner, as they practiced live reporting in real time.

Wainwright urged students to stay adaptable in an evolving media landscape.

“The industry is always changing,” she said. “It’s important to remain curious, keep learning, and be open to new opportunities.”

After graduating from A&T, she earned her master’s in journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Over the course of her career, Wainwright has covered major events including protests following the death of George Floyd and extreme weather conditions in Arkansas. Most recently, she reported on the mid-air collision between a helicopter and a commercial jet at Reagan National Airport that claimed 67 lives on Jan. 29.

“It’s been a crazy 26 hours since the tragic plane crash,” she wrote on LinkedIn shortly after the incident. “We’ve been non-stop with coverage, and it’s so sad to see this happen.”

She also told students that she and several other African American journalists in D.C. maintain a group chat and meet in person from time to time to ease the stress of their demanding schedules.
“Mental health is so important,” she said, adding that she also runs to help clear her mind.

During her talk, Wainwright emphasized the power of storytelling and the role of journalists in holding people accountable.
“Being able to tell stories that resonate with the community is what drives me,” she said. “It’s about giving a voice to the voiceless.”

During a Q&A session, she addressed questions on mentorship and work-life balance.

“Mentorship has been invaluable to my growth,” Wainwright said. “I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors, and I make it a priority to help guide others.”

When asked about handling the demands of a fast-paced newsroom, she said that time management and setting boundaries are key.
“Journalism can be demanding, but taking care of yourself is important,” Wainwright told students.

Wainwright joins fellow Crosby Kids Moody and Ashleigh Wilson, who works at The Washington Post, as examples of JOMC graduates making an impact in the nation’s capital.

“Crosby Chats,” produced by JOMC student Kayla Hare, is a series of Zoom sessions designed to connect journalism students with industry professionals and alumni. Over the next few months, Hare will feature a series of Crosby Kids, each representing a different JOMC concentration.