The High-Five Blogcast: 5 Questions with Eugene Mitchell, President and CEO, E. Mitchell Enterprises, LLC

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“We’re not so much divided in the black community as we are disconnected, in the black community. And especially in the case of the insurance industry. Looking out across this landscape, only 4% of agents in this industry are African-American. Even fewer of a percentage are managers. And even less are principals, or general agents, or managing partners, depending on what company it is that you work for.

And when I look around, many of them are just hanging on - never making the upper levels of success, let alone making a true and successful career out of this, and | or passing on a business on to their children like I see other communities doing.

To answer your point, and where I am going with this, is that we have to get connected.”

— Mitchell

Eugene Mitchell, President and CEO, E. Mitchell Enterprises, LLC

The High-Five: 5 Questions with Television Producer Stephanie Brumsey

Q. I love your LinkedIn cover photo and the words to live by in its message. Without being presumptuous, it sounds like those words can serve as a mantra in your professional life as a journalist.  With that understanding, how do you ‘break free of the mold’ to create nuance and differentiation in the stories you help to craft as a producer?

‘Freedom” Sculpture, by Zenon Frudakis

A, That is my mantra! When I was working in local news, my Senior Producer and mentor told me that my stories would always be better, if I could find something that mattered to me within the story and could make it matter to someone else. And as I've continued to work in the industry, I've realized that my perspective as a black woman, is unique to the field and it's helped me add nuance to storytelling, tailor pitch ideas with a different angle and simply look at how other stories can be enhanced. 

Q. The newspaper chain McClatchy recently filed for bankruptcy. I started off in print journalism, working for the New York Daily News in the 1990s, which, at the time, was the country’s sixth largest newspaper. Today, we create, share and receive stories much differently today, and from direct, peer-to-peer sources such as social media.  Does the decline and waning interest in print impact your job in broadcast journalism and the focus more on video and digital delivery? If so, how? If not, why not?

A.The decline does impact my job in broadcast, far more than I ever would've thought. Local reporters do amazing work. They're on the ground telling the interesting community stories before they hit the big national stage. So many important stories broke because a local reporter went to community board meetings or was reporting on a repeat issue with a local official. These local officials usually use these positions to gain larger positions and their records matter.

“And as I've continued to work in the industry, I've realized that my perspective as a black woman, is unique to the field and it's helped me add nuance to storytelling, tailor pitch ideas with a different angle and simply look at how other stories can be enhanced.”  -Brumsey

But more importantly, local news matters because that's where people live, work and raise their children. The decisions made about your local water source, the closing of that historic church, etc. Those things are important. And I can't say that what happens in Washington DC isn't equally important, but it won't have the same impact on your everyday life. I rambled there, forgive me. I just truly feel that it's important in a way people won't recognize until it's too late. But, back to your question - the decline in local news does impact broadcast journalism and the focus on more video. More and more you see stories picked up through social media with video clips sourced to twitter handles and pictures from people's Facebook accounts. It creates another level of responsibility to ensure the story is being told with accuracy, which is an area of growth that I think in this era of so-called "fake news" is something everyone can benefit from - especially our consumers.

Also I don't think that there's an waning interest in print. I think there's a waning in patience of how print is traditionally created, and I think that the system could stand a little bit of an overhaul in order to make it work for the modern day, but I think people are still interested in print they've just been lulled into the complacency of getting things for free through the internet.

Q. I imagine creating a single segment, let alone an entire news program, is an exhaustive, intensive and nimble process. If there’s breaking news, you have to remain agile and create an on-the-fly experience that aptly captures what’s happening in ‘real-time.’ Can you share what goes into an end-to-end production process, as well as uncovering and application of the learnings and improvements from it?

A. You hit the nail on the head, it is an exhaustive, intensive and nimble process. I work on a Sunday politics show, so we have room to breathe in regards to story treatment. The process end to end is very similar to putting together a story as a team on a regular basis, so I won't bore you with those details. But breaking news on tv is different. This is where I am thankful I'm surrounded by experienced professionals, as I am new in my role with MSNBC. Breaking news begins with our local reporters or a wire service flagging the story. In the background, as we're in the control room, there is a team of people: confirming the story, gathering elements, setting up possible interviews, etc. In the control room, we start working on finding relevant video, filling in the anchor, working on the onscreen graphics. It's hard to explain, because each situation is different, but what's not different is the level of teamwork that goes into it. I've learned a lot about attention to detail, patience and flexibility - things that sound cliche but are large drivers in that situation.

“I don't think that there's an waning interest in print. I think there's a waning in patience of how print is traditionally created, and I think that the system could stand a little bit of an overhaul in order to make it work for the modern day, but I think people are still interested in print they've just been lulled into the complacency of getting things for free through the internet.” -Brumsey

Q. What has been the most difficult or challenging production problem you had to solve and why?

A.To be perfectly honest, only one example comes to mind. In a previous job, I went out and shot two stories in one day. It was going to be great! I then went Christmas shopping, threw it all in my trunk and drove home. I ran into my landlord's apartment to address a plumbing issue I had and when I walked outside and back to my car, I realized that my car had been vandalized and everything stolen out of the trunk. It was horrible. I remember dreading calling my boss and explaining the lack of footage AND the stolen gear. I learned so much that day about so many things, but the biggest part was about letting things fall where they lie. But most importantly, I realized that the very worst thing had happened! I had no story for my job, and the world didn't explode. I, like many others, often stress myself about things that are not often in our control - this was the ultimate lesson that things work themselves out. Probably not the story you expect, but it's the most difficult production issue I ever faced. 

5. Life in perpetual BETA is essentially the notion that you are constantly and continually in the state of becoming. You’re never quite there and always are striving to improve. This concept is one I introduce when I speak about rapid organizational change and individual development and growth. I have introduced BETA as a mnemonic to explore ways in which one could bring about positive change in one’s life or organization.  The mnemonic is below. Would you indulge me and share how you would apply these words as it relates to your personal life or your life as a journalist? 

1. Belief - Nothing is insurmountable

2. Empathy - We are all human and as such, empathy and kindness need to be at the forefront as often as possible

3. Trust - Trust the process, things work themselves out. As long as you do the work, it will speak for you in the end.

4. Advocacy -   Don't forget to turn around and help the next person succeed.

The High-Five: 5 Questions with Client Solutions Manager Carmen Shum

Q. You recently joined LinkedIn as a client solutions manager from JP Morgan Chase, where you specialized in social media content strategy and marketing. In the wake of COVID-19, in what ways has your prior experience in digital helped you pivot to working remotely while, at the same time, staying connected to your colleagues, who you have only known a relatively short time?

A. It’s definitely an interesting time for all of us in the workforce, and working from home is a fairly new experience for me since it wasn’t something that I did often in my previous job. But my prior job did require me to be on video calls daily because the people I worked with were located in different offices all around the world. As a result, I’m quite comfortable with being on camera and staying engaged through a virtual format! Because my team wasn’t always in the same office as me, I understood that communication was very important early on in helping to build relationships and trust. Always take time to check in on others on how they are doing to see how you can help and share what you’re working on to advocate for yourself because people can’t always see what you’re doing. 

Q. As a client success manager, how are you setting your clients, both existing and new, for success? How and what does that look like today?

“Always take time to check in on others on how they are doing to see how you can help and share what you’re working on to advocate for yourself because people can’t always see what you’re doing. ”

— Shum

A. My first step is understanding what success means for the client because that’s different for everyone. It’s also important for me to get a deep understanding of their business to understand how they can grow. It’s not about overnight success, but instead about progress and helping them to build a plan that can help them scale and grow. Success with a client looks like a strong partnership where there’s trust between us and they know that I have their back when they need help.  

Q. Eight-graders and high school seniors recently received their acceptance letters for high school and colleges and universities, respectively. You went to Stuyvesant High School in New York City, and are not too far removed from that period in your life. As a way of still providing meaning and a connection to the special moments outgoing seniors have collectively, some students are building replicas of their schools in Minecraft to host proms and graduations virtually. If you were an incoming freshman or a graduating senior, what experiences would you want to create for your former self, to help bridge this unprecedented transition in your life and in the lives of your fellow classmates?

A. I love how students are making the big milestones in their lives happen in creative ways. When I was in high school, I was on the Yearbook committee and was very excited to help create something memorable that would serve as a time capsule for our future selves to revel in. If I were a graduating senior again, I would love to create a yearbook where everyone had the chance to collaborate on to help everyone feel more connected to each other by sharing their stories, positive messages, and shout outs. 

Q. You have served as a member, patrol leader and adult advisor for the Girl Scouts for nearly a decade. The Coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected their cookie sales and the way in which they connect with their community. Drawing upon your own experiences, what guidance would you give the Girl Scouts themselves and its organization, as it moves through this period of separation and isolation from themselves and the communities in which they count on?

A. When I was a member, I always looked forward to seeing my friends and getting together as a troop to do a new activity every week. So although scouts and troops might be isolated at home during this time, they should still try and gather together through virtual meetings to keep the excitement alive. This is a time more than ever where it’s important to have a community that can support each other and also come together to think of ways we can help those around us who are in need. Part of the Girl Scouts promise is to help people at all times and I don’t doubt that troops across the nation are gathering together right now thinking about way they can help their communities. The values and skills that I gained from being a Girl Scout are something that I still carry with me and have shaped me to be who I am today. I would hate to see any girls be left behind because they don’t have access to the invaluable resources that Girl Scouts provide.

Q. Life in perpetual BETA is essentially the notion that you are constantly and continually in the state of becoming. You’re never quite there and always are striving to improve. I have introduced B.E.T.A. as a mnemonic to explore ways in which one could bring about positive change in one’s life, or organization.  Against what humanity is facing today and how we’re going to pull through it together, belief, empathy, trust and advocacy take on new and more significant meaning. Would you indulge me and share how you would apply these words as it relates to your personal or professional life?

A. Belief: Don’t dwell. There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.

Empathy: Always be kind, you never know what others are going through. 

Trust: Trust the timing of your life. You are where you need to be right now. 

Advocacy:  Bring the people around you up with you.

The High-Five: 5 Questions with Television Producer Stephanie Brumsey

Q. I love your LinkedIn cover photo and the words to live by in its message. Without being presumptuous, it sounds like those words can serve as a mantra in your professional life as a journalist.  With that understanding, how do you ‘break free of the mold’ to create nuance and differentiation in the stories you help to craft as a producer?

‘Freedom” Sculpture, by Zenon Frudakis

A, That is my mantra! When I was working in local news, my Senior Producer and mentor told me that my stories would always be better, if I could find something that mattered to me within the story and could make it matter to someone else. And as I've continued to work in the industry, I've realized that my perspective as a black woman, is unique to the field and it's helped me add nuance to storytelling, tailor pitch ideas with a different angle and simply look at how other stories can be enhanced. 

Q. The newspaper chain McClatchy recently filed for bankruptcy. I started off in print journalism, working for the New York Daily News in the 1990s, which, at the time, was the country’s sixth largest newspaper. Today, we create, share and receive stories much differently today, and from direct, peer-to-peer sources such as social media.  Does the decline and waning interest in print impact your job in broadcast journalism and the focus more on video and digital delivery? If so, how? If not, why not?

A.The decline does impact my job in broadcast, far more than I ever would've thought. Local reporters do amazing work. They're on the ground telling the interesting community stories before they hit the big national stage. So many important stories broke because a local reporter went to community board meetings or was reporting on a repeat issue with a local official. These local officials usually use these positions to gain larger positions and their records matter.

“And as I've continued to work in the industry, I've realized that my perspective as a black woman, is unique to the field and it's helped me add nuance to storytelling, tailor pitch ideas with a different angle and simply look at how other stories can be enhanced.”  -Brumsey

But more importantly, local news matters because that's where people live, work and raise their children. The decisions made about your local water source, the closing of that historic church, etc. Those things are important. And I can't say that what happens in Washington DC isn't equally important, but it won't have the same impact on your everyday life. I rambled there, forgive me. I just truly feel that it's important in a way people won't recognize until it's too late. But, back to your question - the decline in local news does impact broadcast journalism and the focus on more video. More and more you see stories picked up through social media with video clips sourced to twitter handles and pictures from people's Facebook accounts. It creates another level of responsibility to ensure the story is being told with accuracy, which is an area of growth that I think in this era of so-called "fake news" is something everyone can benefit from - especially our consumers.

Also I don't think that there's an waning interest in print. I think there's a waning in patience of how print is traditionally created, and I think that the system could stand a little bit of an overhaul in order to make it work for the modern day, but I think people are still interested in print they've just been lulled into the complacency of getting things for free through the internet.

Q. I imagine creating a single segment, let alone an entire news program, is an exhaustive, intensive and nimble process. If there’s breaking news, you have to remain agile and create an on-the-fly experience that aptly captures what’s happening in ‘real-time.’ Can you share what goes into an end-to-end production process, as well as uncovering and application of the learnings and improvements from it?

A. You hit the nail on the head, it is an exhaustive, intensive and nimble process. I work on a Sunday politics show, so we have room to breathe in regards to story treatment. The process end to end is very similar to putting together a story as a team on a regular basis, so I won't bore you with those details. But breaking news on tv is different. This is where I am thankful I'm surrounded by experienced professionals, as I am new in my role with MSNBC. Breaking news begins with our local reporters or a wire service flagging the story. In the background, as we're in the control room, there is a team of people: confirming the story, gathering elements, setting up possible interviews, etc. In the control room, we start working on finding relevant video, filling in the anchor, working on the onscreen graphics. It's hard to explain, because each situation is different, but what's not different is the level of teamwork that goes into it. I've learned a lot about attention to detail, patience and flexibility - things that sound cliche but are large drivers in that situation.

“I don't think that there's an waning interest in print. I think there's a waning in patience of how print is traditionally created, and I think that the system could stand a little bit of an overhaul in order to make it work for the modern day, but I think people are still interested in print they've just been lulled into the complacency of getting things for free through the internet.” -Brumsey

Q. What has been the most difficult or challenging production problem you had to solve and why?

A.To be perfectly honest, only one example comes to mind. In a previous job, I went out and shot two stories in one day. It was going to be great! I then went Christmas shopping, threw it all in my trunk and drove home. I ran into my landlord's apartment to address a plumbing issue I had and when I walked outside and back to my car, I realized that my car had been vandalized and everything stolen out of the trunk. It was horrible. I remember dreading calling my boss and explaining the lack of footage AND the stolen gear. I learned so much that day about so many things, but the biggest part was about letting things fall where they lie. But most importantly, I realized that the very worst thing had happened! I had no story for my job, and the world didn't explode. I, like many others, often stress myself about things that are not often in our control - this was the ultimate lesson that things work themselves out. Probably not the story you expect, but it's the most difficult production issue I ever faced. 

5. Life in perpetual BETA is essentially the notion that you are constantly and continually in the state of becoming. You’re never quite there and always are striving to improve. This concept is one I introduce when I speak about rapid organizational change and individual development and growth. I have introduced BETA as a mnemonic to explore ways in which one could bring about positive change in one’s life or organization.  The mnemonic is below. Would you indulge me and share how you would apply these words as it relates to your personal life or your life as a journalist? 

1. Belief - Nothing is insurmountable

2. Empathy - We are all human and as such, empathy and kindness need to be at the forefront as often as possible

3. Trust - Trust the process, things work themselves out. As long as you do the work, it will speak for you in the end.

4. Advocacy -   Don't forget to turn around and help the next person succeed.