Professor Christopher A. Daniel — The Journalistorian
Professor Daniel — he always tells me to call him Chris but my respect for him as my journalism professor senior year of college will never allow me to.
Christopher A. Daniel is a 39-year-old storyteller extraordinaire, bonafide truth teller and adjunct professor helping educate the next generation of black and brown Journalism professionals.
“Telling stories about our people is something I live by and something I think I’m here to do,” said the journalist, “If we don’t tell them, who will?”
His love for storytelling originated in his hometown of Spartanburg, SC at the age of seven. The youngest of two always had something in his hand to write with growing up and was inspired by CBS News’ 60 Minutes reporter Ed Bradley.
“He didn’t look like everybody else,” said Daniel as he described the African American reporter with salt and pepper hair and earings, noting how Bradley always treated his subjects with the upmost dignity.
From then on Daniel’s knew, “This is the type of work that I definitely want to do at some point.”
Daniel kept writing and actively pursued his love of storytelling throughout high school and college before moving to Atlanta in 2007.
“It wasn’t easy — the first few years were hell,” said Daniel who would couch hop attempting to gain his footing in a new environment while pursuing his passion.
The ‘Journalistorian’ was relentless in creating opportunities — showing up to events, asking questions and writing about things he thought that mattered.
“I didn’t care about where my stuff ended up, I cared about getting better,” said Daniel adding, “Either you can sit down and be scared or parish, or you can figure out a way to turn the tide — that’s what I did.”
Visibility created opportunities throughout the years for Daniel, who now has bylines in local and national publications including — CBS News, NBC News, Vogue, The Washington Post, BET, Atlanta Journal Constitution and more.
Daniel added Professor to his resume in 2016, teaching an advanced level multimedia journalism class at Georgia State University.
“Being able to help educate the next generation of black and brown professionals in this area is really my ministry,” says Daniel.
I was one of his students in his first semester teaching.
Professor Daniels immediately resonated with me because of the way he treated us — not as students, but young professionals. That small wrinkle in perspective changed the way I looked at myself as a journalist. Do the work of a journalist now instead of wait for someone or a job to give me the title of a journalist.
He would drill into us that we have all the tools we need right now (iPhone, pen and paper, the internet) in order to tell our stories and ultimately be successful.
That’s exactly the level of encouragement that I needed at that fragile time in life as a young adult about to fully step out into the world.
“What my responsibility ultimately is — is to open that door for you,” said Daniels, who is in his 7th year of teaching now leading the arts, culture, and entertainment program at Morehouse College.
I asked Professor what he’s learned throughout his years teaching.
He responded, “I learned these kids were special when they got to the door — they just have to have the support and push to really show other people how special they are.”
Daniels lasting Jewel was, “The same passion that you had at 9 should be the same passion you have at 27 — keep that going because that will eventually get you to every place you want to be and anyplace you never thought you would be.”
During our conversation, Daniel’s mentioned that in taking the time interviewing someone, you’re in turn letting your subject know how important they are.
The purpose of this interview was to highlight the importance of Professor Christopher A. Daniel’s work and his impact on my life from 2016 till this day. Enjoy your Flowers — You deserve.
Follow Christopher A. Daniel on all platforms @Journalistorian and watch our full interview below. #supportahustla