Kennedy Felton, a 2020 graduate of Georgia State University with a degree in journalism, shared her experiences and insights as a journalist and digital storyteller in an interview published on March 19. Felton has worked in various roles across the media industry, including internships at CNN and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” as well as positions with “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and social media work for E! Entertainment Television and Bravo.
Felton said she chose Georgia State because of its diverse environment. “I love the nontraditional vibe that Georgia State provides, so that is why I chose it. It’s a melting pot — so many different religions, cultures and people. I think that’s very important to see in the early stages of being a young adult,” she said.
Reflecting on her career path, Felton credited her openness to new opportunities and support from her family. She described how early experiences at a radio station in South Carolina led to further involvement in campus organizations such as the Public Relations Society of America and the National Association of Black Journalists. These connections helped open doors for internships, including one at CNN. “I think when you’re putting yourself in rooms and spaces, you never know who you’re going to meet,” Felton said.
Felton also spoke about the significance of Women’s History Month to her as a woman working in media. She highlighted the importance of representation: “Seeing [my manager] in such an important role as a senior producer in our department and seeing her be able to navigate her Blackness in such a big space was inspiring to me.” She added that women bring empathy to communications roles, which is vital when telling stories about people facing challenges or loss.
Offering advice to students starting their college journey, Felton encouraged openness to opportunity: “If you allow yourself to be open to opportunity and believe in a higher power, all you have to do is trust in a plan that’s greater than you and everything will work out.” She emphasized trusting the process rather than feeling pressured to have everything planned from the start.
