How Sisterhood Helped Elevate WIVB-TV News Reporter Shannon Smith to Success
Written by Crystal Joy
Every successful person has a different climb to the top. No one path is the same.
I’ve always been intrigued by the environments, motivations, intentions, and mental stamina that people use or dwell in to stay focused.
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn stated, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
While some may find that quote debatable, how many of us have considered the significance of our environment? How many of us have underestimated the importance of who we surround ourselves with?
Shannon’s IG is filled with fond moments, funny captions, and more! Take a peak.
Shannon Smith gets it.
Shannon is a Chicago-bred, dog-mom, the youngest of four sisters, a rising news reporter, and multimedia journalist in Buffalo, NY. It’s truly amazing how Shannon is able to wear and keep track of all these hats. Of all her accomplishments, there is one thing Shannon understands the most: the importance of sisterhood. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a community builder, and a hype woman to her colleagues and friends, Shannon loves uplifting other women. She applies her sisterhood principles in front and behind the newsroom camera.
We live in a society where women are made to see each other as competition. Shannon refuses to play by those rules.
“I don’t see any women in the newsroom as competition.”, Shannon says. “I do not agree with perpetuating any kind of bad blood or energy between women -- especially black women. Everyone has their strong suit. People assume that every reporter is cut-throat because the industry is so cut-throat but it doesn't have to be that way. We all can shine.”
To see her latest news story, click here!
Growing up, Shannon and her sisters were never in competition for their parents' love, and that transitioned over into her adult life and the way she befriends other women. For some women, healthy competition is what fuels them forward, motivating them to achieve their dreams. When it's an ‘all-boys club’, you’re made to believe that there’s only one seat at the table, especially if you’re a woman.
“I don’t believe that when a woman walks into the room, they have to compete for another person's attention,” Shannon says. “We go further together. What's for you is for you. You don’t have to fight someone else for it. I know my purpose and I want to do more in her life - that's what motivates me to keep going. I got good grades in school because that's what I wanted to do. Not for the purpose of competition.”
For the past 8 years, Shannon has been hard at work delivering the daily news to her community. After graduating college, she moved from Rockford, IL to Omaha, Fresno, and now Buffalo, New York.
Her journey looks great on Instagram, but it has not been a straight line.
At the beginning of her career, she was pulled off the air because her personality was too bland. Fortunately, a female colleague encouraged her to find her voice. Even though Shannon has developed and thrived since then, she still has her struggles. “I’m still learning,” Shannon says. “People assume that I exude confidence, which I do have, but people expect that it's automatic. But it comes with doubt when you're putting yourself out there. My faith gets me through. What's for me is for me.”
Where does Shannon see herself in five years? Happy and in an environment that supports that.
As Shannon continues her can’t-stop-won’t-stop climb to the top, she’s reaching back and bringing her sisters and tribe with her. “The way to go through life is to have a sister next to you,” says Shannon. “We have to lean on each other. Everyone can be against you but your sisters are in your corner. Those are the ones that will come to your defense.”
We couldn't agree more.
If you’re local to the Buffalo area, be sure to catch Shannon weeknights on News 4 at 5 & 6pm and on the Weekend Wake Up from 6-8am!
Author Bio
Crystal Joy moved to New York City from Chicago, IL with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Marketing from Loyola University Chicago-shortly after her move she immediately began acting classes at HB Studios and expanded to Stella Adler, Lucid Body, and joined the theater company, Theater of A New Generation. Her love of storytelling has given her access to work not only as an actress but as a writer and producer. Some of Crystal’s theater credits include the Off-Broadway productions Dead End, The Cherry Orchard, and 12 Angry People. Her film endeavors include Era, Revolt, Dog Days, and the dramatic feature The Dirty Kind. She also wrote, starred in and executive produced Crumble, The Woe Chronicles, and Behind The Silence which she co-directed. Additionally, Ms. Joy received her first TV credit on the Investigation Discovery channel’s re-enactment crime show, Shadow of Doubt. Crystal has a shared love for acting, producing and writing and as she progresses in her work she continues to excel in her versatility with a range of character roles as well as finding new platforms to deliver her projects.