Danyel Smith On Journalism, Resilience, And Leading With Purpose

In this episode, we sit down with award-winning journalist, editor, and author Danyel Smith. She shares her journey from growing up in Oakland, California, to becoming a trailblazer in the world of journalism, including her time as editor-in-chief of Vibe and Billboard. Danyel reflects on her experiences navigating male-dominated spaces, taking risks, and the importance of leading diverse teams. She also dives into the creation of Hard Cover, her new platform for storytelling, and shares valuable advice on staying resilient, embracing risk, and building a career you’re proud of.

• Rhonesha Byng introduces Danyel Smith, setting the stage for a deep dive into Danyel’s impressive career.

• Danyel reflects on her childhood in Oakland, the freedom she had growing up, and how it shaped her as a bold and persistent individual.
• Early career moves: breaking into journalism without a college degree and her first big break interviewing MC Hammer.

• Danyel discusses the challenges she faced as a Black woman in a male-dominated industry and the importance of persistence.
• Advice to her younger self: “Don’t be so sensitive” and how to bounce back from early career rejections.

• Danyel talks about dropping out of college, later earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously while also planning a wedding.
• Reflections on how ambition can drive success but also lead to burnout.

• Danyel shares how taking time off from her career allowed her to meet her husband, Elliott, and the sacrifices made along the way.

• Insights into how Danyel engages on social media and its impact on her work. She shares her love for platforms like Instagram and Twitter for connecting with others and promoting her projects.

• The inspiration behind Hard Cover and how her time at Stanford shaped the idea.
• Challenges faced in launching the platform, including the lessons learned from restarting their Kickstarter campaign.

• Danyel’s thoughts on how journalism needs to evolve, with a focus on underrepresented voices.
• The importance of storytelling that reflects the diversity of the audience it serves.

• Advice for women entering male-dominated industries: Be bold, know who you are, and take calculated risks.
• Rhonesha opens up the floor to questions from the audience, covering topics like sexism in entertainment and balancing risk versus stability in your career.

• Rhonesha wraps up by thanking Danyel for sharing her wisdom and insights.
  

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[Editor’s note: This episode uses audio from an interview that published in January 2021. ]