Preface

To explain the overall structure of my intellectual autobiography, I wanted to format it in a way that I can easily relate to and hopefully display to you my creative intellectual intentions while both writing this autobiography and demonstrate the reason why I enrolled in the Media Studies MA program at  The New School University.  I figured since this particular assignment was about exploring my intellect and mapping out my imagination in media, the best way to express my personal history was to mimic the very style of the profession I am passionate about and industry I surround myself with everyday.  Please enjoy as I share with you my strong interest in the history of radio, its evolution and its current state that ultimately inspired me to want to explore how the rest of media operates.  My learning process hasn’t necessarily begun, it’s just continuing.  For me, the goal of this autobiography is to continue to inspire myself as well as others in the development of their mind creatively and intellectually.  The ability to inspire my peers who share the same strong interest of media studies in the graduate program here at The New School is important because they are the ones who can offer the tools to revolutionize the industry.  Most of what you will read will of course be new to you, some points you have probably heard at some time in your life from other media scholars, but the main difference is that it’s from my fresh perspective.   I have undoubtedly built a solid foundation equipped with challenges to help me to realize my goals. In fact, I once heard an interesting quote on the Canadian teen drama television series, DeGrassi TV that I’d like to share with you and it goes a little something like this, “You’ve got to write down your goals in order to realize them” I would like to dedicate this intellectual autobiography to the very people who told me “Why Media?”
     My Radio Show

An Intellectual Biography

By: Barbara C. De Laleu 

        I am Barbara C. De Laleu bringing you the most in urban progressive educational experience everyday! Coming up, I’ve got my business in radio, intellectual and creative interests, my motivation, and struggles, but right now it’s the intro to my intellectual autobiography right here at The New School           That was my fake New School University Top of the Hour break (cheesy right? I know), but that cheesiness slowly helped me to evolve into what most people know me as today, “The Beautiful Stranger- The Best Voice in the Business,” that which is my alter ego in this game I call radio.  There are those that would say there are indeed more powerful voices in radio–and I of course agree; however, the purpose of my voice is to represent my generation, especially the young African American women with a mission.   Here is the story of one woman who’s mission begins at the end of each accomplishment.                          

After having the opportunity to work with the best broadcasters in New York City, I started mapping out my own path in search of my exact place in radio, a journey where I faced much rejection and often feelings of doubt.  I even had this wild thought that I would somehow become this household name, similar to that “Obama” guy (lol….you know our current PRESIDENT, I am still not off the hype…wink!)  and changing someone’s life—is that too far fetched?  From there, I would move on to be described as legendary maybe even revolutionary in an all middle-aged white male dominated industry and make all the decisions for once.                 

 From back in the day with the voices of Frankie Crocker and G. Gordon Liddy to today’s Howard Stern, and Wendy Williams,  it has become inherently clear that my standards were either to be set very high or I would have to be one of the most contagious personalities the world has ever seen (once again that OBAMA thing  !  When I arrived on the radio ”scene” I discovered it wasn’t all peaches and cream, I would first have to listen to a few voices before I could find my own. In an industry that has seen its number of highs and lows and skillfully revived itself throughout the many changes society has faced, its survival truly represents the sign of the times.   Now, again as we all face economic hardships, the change becomes real.  The first thought that comes to mind during this time which would probably be the last thing most people would turn to is –GO BACK TO SCHOOL!  To me, it was the difference between me becoming a media consumer or a true media maker. 

And so begins my story: the inspirations, the struggles, the achievements,  the motivation, and  my overall creative process.  What didn’t I know about radio and media that I could learn in school?  And lord knows I didn’t learn it all at St. John’s University where I received a communication arts bachelor of science degree (no offense RedStorm)!, but I would have to say the onlyl and most valued skill I acquired during my undergraduate career was falling in love with community service—for that I THANK THEE! (seriously). 

                 Thus after accomplishing that personal milestone, I meandered my way into radio through internship after internship after internship from Orlando, Florida to New York City. I have to say…all were rewarding experiences as I worked here in New York City with and around some of the sassiest personalities in the entertainment industry; also dabbled in a little thing called “Public Relations,”  which may I say….NeVer again and with good reason     In addition, I have worked, interned, or mentored at Clear Channel, BET Networks, Cox Radio, Inc., Take On The Day, LLC; CBS Radio, Access1 Communications, Pacifica Radio, and  Harlem Community Radio just to name a few   

             You would think with all this “experience” under my belt in my early twenties jumping from company to company and meeting some of the biggest names in media that I would be a #1 stunna (translation: a big hit!) WRONG!  I was just another face in the crowd! It was like a big “WTF” moment for me..All this hard work just to be “another face” …. not for this radio scholar!?! So I moved on but not without saying a word or two (read on…..

            Just so that you know, I am aware that  media is bigger than radio which makes my journey all the more interesting.  So many great ideas in my head, but not a clue where to start!  Have you ever been in that position? If so…would you like to give me a call and explain how you got out of your funk?  I have to say I probably am a bit mixed up because my formative years in media during my undergraduate studies at St. John’s University from 2001-2005 were shaped by some pretty major events. Who could forget the tragic events of September 11th?  I think that was enough to have media turn me into a tool, but shouldn’t it be the other way around? And as the problems of the world dawned on my immediate society, I got involved at my University’s radio station WSJU-590 AM reporting on local campus and community news which was very important to me because I was learning.  Sidenote:  If there was every anything I learned in  high school, it was during my senior year when my Economics professor, Mr. Kessler (yes I remembered his name which is quite rare for me to do) said “Barbara, you will never stop learning, the moment that you do is when you become idle!”   If only he could see me now, I am sooooooo professionally active! ha!

              By this point of my academic career, planning, leadership, and community service became an important part in shaping my life.   In addition to becoming one of the first from my family to attend and graduate a four-year university,  I had the opportunity to serve on committees, honor societies, national programs, and complete major volunteer work for all of my school organizations.  Getting involved open my eyes to another interest—- Philanthropy! (another post, another paper…another day)  I will tuck that in the back of my mind, perhaps for a rainy day?!?! 

               The next three to four years would be pivotal in my creative and intellectual development. I had  become immersed in the industry–marketing, public relations, writing, and sales, but I wasn’t touching on my biggest passion (radio) as much as I had liked.  Desparate for my chance in radio, I started  attending radio industry conferences, networking, and most importantly not being afraid to ask questions from the most experienced media professionals.  In early 2005, my most influential experience was as a contributing writer intern for Westwood One and BET Radio Networks.  I had the opportunity to interview media moguls like Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, and Kevin Liles.  One memorable interview I conducted was with Executive Vice President of the Warner Music Group, Mr. Kevin Liles who gave me inspiring words to live by, “Never stop being an intern!”  Appropriate being as I was an intern at that time for like the 7th time in just one year! These powerful words gave me another perspective on how I should go about reaching my goal (whatever it was) in radio.  In theory, would I really never stop being an intern?  My fascination with Mr. Liles’ words of inspiration that day led me to purchase his book, From Intern to President: Make It Happen, The Hip Hop Generation Guide to Success.  I enjoyed Liles blunt approach to his struggle to succeed in the business world and develop his own philosophy to achieving goals, a philosophy that led him to find a deeper understanding of people and self.  The same understanding is what I would like to attain in my professional life.

 The majority of books and ideas I have generated over the years dealt with intellectual and creative roots which contributed to my  success, but not all of it!  I learned by doing and when I executed, I got others to notice and it ran from there….get it?  However, I still wasn’t satisfied! How weird is that?  What would make it all make sense?  While there are cries of  a  ”crisis” in the radio industry, naturally I see my role start to change.  I went from wanting to be this voice talent to developing an urge to create the content.  This idea came from the ”egging on” of a very special mentor who made me realize I was more than just a pretty VOICE (ha..thought I was going to say face huh…you’re late…KEEP UP!)

It ws never about the student leadership workshops, or collecting business cards, or even receiving fancy awards, it was about practicing my passion internally which I am still in the process of doing….oh and never giving up.  I remain grateful to how many of the people at these institutions and large companies have remained a force in my life. Today I am an Affiliate Relations Director for The Dr. Laura Program, radio personality for 106.1 WBLI-FM with Cox Radio Long Island, and voiceover talent for several radio stations in New York City.  As I take a look back at my growth over the years, the core of my intellectual life was dedicated and rooted in leadership and community service–two areas in which I executed flawlessly. My core led me to the media studies program at The New School University, finally ready for the next level in my professional life;  don’t forget about that rainy day idea I had way back when?!?!……to be CONTINUED…..

Make sure you stay tuned for the next show where I will be discussing abstracts, literature and media review, media professionalism, and my academic plan.  I do hope you enjoyed the “show” and listen for your chance to be a part of the New School experience.