Woman 2 Watch- Chata M. Spikes
Chata M. Spikes
This week’s Woman 2 Watch is Chata Spikes, as the Southeast Regional Producer/Coordinator for Fox News Channel/Network News Service, Spikes is on journalism’s front lines keeping national and international viewers informed and engaged as breaking news, exclusive interviews and special reports unfold. Two days a week, Spikes, leaves the fast-paced newsroom environment to train a new generation of journalists at Fort Valley State University and spark in them passion for the industry she enjoys. Nights and weekends are spent accompanying students on video shoots. Chata also teaches mass communications students the fundamentals of writing, reporting and editing. Read below to find out about more about this fascinating Woman 2 Watch.
FG: When did you first realize that you were interested in having a career in journalism?
CS: At the tender age of 3 years old instead of watching cartoons before school I watched the news. I loved to watch Monica Pearson of WSB TV Channel 2, Lynn Vaughn of CNN, and Patricia Hunt of WXIA Channel 11., so much so that when people asked me, “What’s your name?” I would respond with, Monica Kaufman. I was a magnet for news, I was drawn to the idea that reporters, anchors, and photographers learned “everything about everything.”
FG: With so many social issues in the world, how are you able to discern what stories need to be told?
CS: I think about what people need to know–the impact of the issues, and what I call the “WHY of it all”–why do the people care, why should they care, and when tomorrow comes will the issue continue to affect them.
FG: What were some of the challenges you faced when first breaking into the field of television journalism?
CS: Some of the challenges I faced when first breaking into the field of television journalism was competition from the veteran journalists, competition among young journalists and people taking me serious–as I was young when I landed my first position. I was still in college when I landed a position in Greenville, South Carolina (market 35)–the biggest challenge was dealing with people taking me serious, as I was about 20 years old and sometimes the veteran journalists made it a point to make me prove myself and worth as it relates to the business.
FG: What are the some of the common misconceptions people have about the news media?
CS: The common misconceptions people have about the news media include: (not trying to be facetious) the media only interviews the black people who are wearing hair rollers, have a mouth full of gold teeth and speak incorrectly. Another misconception that people have is: the media is only worried about crime and murder. Yes, crime and murder are a part of the news; however, more media outlets are working to provide news that helps and supports the public.
FG: What do you think people can do to stay more informed about what is happening in their communities?
CS: People can stay informed about what is happening in their community by getting involved! Know your neighbors, support your local churches, schools and community organizations. I think people should stop barricading themselves amongst the four walls of their home and expect their community to change or improve.
FG: How many of your business decisions are based on know how vs. your intuition?
CS: I’ve learned how to trust my gut! I believe you can be taught know-how; however, it takes gut (intuition) to find that powerful, moving news story. It takes intuition and personality to break the hard shell of a long-time, stern figurehead or to get a detective to agree to talk to you about a high-profile case.
FG: What do you consider to be some of the major highlights of your career thus far?
CS: As a journalist, Working with my idol Monica Pearson (when I was little I would tell people that my name was Monica), a one-on-one interview with Oprah Winfrey, serving on the planning committee for Coretta Scott King’s funeral, being featured on the cover of Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 under 40 edition, and nomination and selection into the Class of 2011 for Leadership Georgia. As a professor/motivator, seeing my first set of students walk across the stage, earn their degrees and enter the television business.
Motivator: to get emails and calls from students who I spoke to during career days at their middle school and now they are in high school and they call or email me and even ask me to come speech at their high school.
FG: What is a spiritual mantra or philosophy that you live by?
CS: I may be the only Bible that someone ever reads.
FG: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
CS: Don’t worry about material things and money-enjoy life–don’t spend too much and don’t save too much. Make sure you take care of your family for generations to come, but don’t be a miser because you can’t take it with you–you never see a U-Haul behind a hearse (advice from my late grandfather).
FG: What would you tell your younger-self if you knew then what you know now?
CS: Girl, enjoy this thing we call life–you can have Heaven right here on Earth–it’s what you make it! Smile more, laugh more, learn as much as you can while you can, and buy those shoes because you know everybody seems to wear a size 9.
Finish this sentence….
FG: Women should stop complaining about __________ and ___________________
CS: being lonely and start doing you–learn to love you so you can love someone else–(advice I had to give to myself).
FG: If your life had a soundtrack what would be your top three songs (please list the song title, band name and/or singer)?
CS: Goapele-”Even Closer”, Michael Jackson “Pretty Young Thing” and Corinne Bailey Raw “Put Your Records On”
FG: What project(s) do you have coming up?
CS: Serving as associate producer for a new Atlanta-based television show (can’t tell you the name yet)
Producing commercials for TrustDaleTV. Coordinating the 2011 FVSU Women’s New Student Orientation—trying to find positive guests.
For more information on Chata Spikes please email Chatta at email: chataspikes@yahoo.com or chataspikes@gmail.com
