He Has Interviewed Some of The Biggest Names in Music/Film/Television and Political History

I had a chance to recently sit down and interview a man I consider a friend and industry colleague Mr. Clarence Waldron. He is someone I admire for his career, accomplishments  and for what he said best, being “thoughtful and very generous”.  I personally believe that it is your willingness to give back to others that separates you from others. I am honored that he would take the time to share some advice and his story to encourage my readers as they embark in the pursuit of their own dreams.

Clarence with “The Queen” Aretha Franklin Photo Credit CW Media

Clarence Waldron specialized in arts and entertainment, education and human rights from 1982 until 2011 while serving as senior editor and writer for one of the countries most prestigious magazines “JET”. He has interviewed and written stories on a long list of celebrities and leaders including President Barack Obama, Aretha Franklin, Maya Angelou, Tony Bennett, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Cornel West, Aaliyah, Queen Latifah, Mary J Blige, Patti LaBelle, Al Sharpton, Nancy Wilson, Bill Cosby, Whitney Houston, Jamie Fox, Rev Jesse Jackson,  Jennifer Hudson, Steve Harvey, and Tom Joyner among others. The legendary Eartha Kitt gave him her last print interview that ran in “Ebony Magazine” shortly before she died in 2008. Waldron also served as contributing editor to Ebony, Ebony Man and JET Magazine.

Clarence with The Legendary Eartha Kitt Photo Credit CW Media

JET Magazine Founded by John Johnson

In 1998 Waldron was hired as an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He also became an adjunct lecturer at Columbia College in Chicago in 2007. In 2012 Waldron founded CW Media, a multi-faceted arts and entertainment company specializing in book projects, consulting, public relations and motivational speaking, where he serves as CEO, writer and editor. Waldron also co-authored and edited “Geoffrey Holder & Carmen DeLavallade: A Memoir in Four Movements- The Exhibition Catalogue,” and was the editor for Merri Dee’s book Life Lessons On Faith, Forgiveness & Grace.

Waldron has received multiple awards, including a PASS Award from the National Council on Crime Delinquency, a Legacy Award from Elektra/Atlanta Records, the award of Excellence from Visions Blue Institute in Chicago and the Golden Quill Award for the Feature Writing. In 2010, he received the Legacy Award from the National Association of Black Journalist, and was cited as ‘the dean of arts and entertainment journalist’.

Question:

So who inspired you to become a journalist Clarence?

Answer:

“Well I kinda fell into it, laughed Waldron”.  In 1973 Waldron received a full scholarship from A Better Chance to attend a college preparatory boarding school, Darrow School in Lebanon, New York. I went on to attend Columbia University where I earned my B.A degree in English Literature in 1979 and then my M.S degree in journalism from Columbia Graduate School in 1980. While I was a freshman in college I received an internship with Columbia Records. That really influenced me and really shaped my love for music and entertainment. Then in my sophomore year I received an internship at PBS television. This is where I learned to write. I worked on a big project civil rights research project entitled “The MacNeil & Lehrer Report”. After that I knew with certainty I wanted to be a journalist.

Clarence with Dionne Warwick Photo Credit CW Media

Question:

What lessons did you learn from the great John Johnson?

Answer:

Wow…so many things. Mr. Johnson was a great teacher and gave me a great sense of pride as a black man! He taught me how to navigate in business during a very racially charged climate in a our country as a black entrepreneur. He was very smart and innovative when it came to making decisions to level the playing field. Often times using a white person as the front so he could get what he needed accomplished. He taught me that some times you have to use tough language in business to be understood. Not being rude, but firm. I also saw a very humble man who always remained accessible to people despite his success and wealth. He drove himself to the office everyday, shopped for his own groceries and remained very gentle as a man and boss. Mr Johnson created a family environment at Johnson Publishing Inc  which was at one time the # 1 Black owned business in the country.

Clarence with Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis Photo Credit CW Media

Clarence and The Great Lena Horne Photo Credit CW Media

Question:

What advice would you give to people in pursuit of their dream?

Answer:

I would encourage people to locate their passion or what it is that you like to do and that you are good at. What has your name on it. Then educate yourself. Education is the only thing that transforms lives. I would tell them to seek out internships to help discover what you are good at. They can help you build key relationships. It is still about what you know and who you know so that is very important. Internships helped me tremendously in the pursuit of my career and opened up some awesome doors for me. Get your foot in the door through networking and become a member of a professional organization within your passion and career choice. Lastly be patient and willing to work hard to earn what you want in life.

Written by Lee Griffin

Special Thanks to “The History Makers”

Oprah, Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy! The Man with The Midas Touch!

Detroit, MI- If David Sams was a baseball player his career would be that of a player winning the triple crown, world series and batting .350 multiple times. It would include a barrage of highlights on ESPN constantly producing victory after victory for his team. Yes, he would be mentioned with the greatest hitters to ever play the game and the Hall of Fame would certainly be assured. His work in media has blended together like the colors in a Picasso creative masterpiece of art and like the perfect melodic cords arranged in a Beethoven Symphony.

I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the greatest innovative minds to ever grace the media landscape recently. I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for this man. I am proud to call him a friend and a mentor. Mr. David Sams www.davidsams.com the “brand evangelist” as he likes to be called. While working for the King Brothers as head of global marketing and creative affairs, a then-small family syndication company, David had a hand in launching arguably (3) of the greatest syndication shows in television history “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, “Wheel of Fortune”, “Jeopardy  and he has won 9 Emmy’s  throughout his illustrious career. But his life’s story is much like all of ours… one of faith, persistence, challenge and purpose.

Q- So David what town were you born in?

A- A small town called Buford, OH

Q-How long have you been in media

A- When I was 13, I discovered my love for photography-a passion that I still have to this day.  I actually started out in the media by taking pictures of high school football games on Friday nights. At the tender age of 15 I moved into radio and hosted a show on a small station in Columbus. My love for radio was short-lived, however, when I discovered that it was much more fun to put pictures to audio. When I was 17, I decided to go for it and moved from radio to TV. I put my plaid jacket back on, borrowed one of my dad’s ties and my mom’s briefcase. Realizing how popular football was in Ohio, I saved a few hundred dollars, went to a local school board meeting and presented my plan to produce the “High School Game of The Week” in Lancaster, OH

Q- How important was money versus pursuing what you felt was your purpose in life?

A- “If I would have let money make my decision about joining “King World” it wouldn’t have happened. Michael King offered me half of what I was making at the time to come and work for him. Few operations could have paid me what I was making at WBNS at the age of 18 including NBC, CBS, or Westinghouse. I’ve never let money make my decisions for me. I believe that if you follow your heart and live your purpose, the money will follow. When I joined KingWorld they had a book value of a few million dollars. When I left, it had 800 million in the bank with no debt. Years later the company sold to what was to become CBS Television Distribution for billions.

Q- What do you feel was the defining moments of success in your career?

A- As director of marketing and promotion we turned “Wheel of Fortune” into the highest-rated syndication series in America. When we launched Jeopardy! It became the second highest rated show. I was promoted to head of global marketing, station relations and creative affairs. But the fun had just begun! KingWorld came across a local talk show host in Chicago that they thought could be turned into a national celebrity. I was given the job of introducing Oprah Winfrey to the rest of America.

Q- What was it like working with Oprah?

A- “Oprah was a very hard worker and did whatever I asked. If we needed to do a promo at 2am in the morning Oprah would do it. She was a robust, incredibly talented African-American woman who deserved an opportunity. It may look like it was easy, but a quarter of a century ago America was still in the dark ages in some respects. “When Oprah took to the airwaves America changed,” She was the real thing-transparent, loving, hopeful, one of the first real “girlfriends”. Her ratings skyrocketed as did KingWorld’s stock. My decision to leave my cozy job in Columbus for half the salary paid off.

Q-What do you want people to know about David Sams?

A- “I’m not a self-made man, I’m a God-made man. Wow what a relief. That sure takes a lot of pressure off me as a person!” I believe that God is my architect and I’m just the general contractor.

“The lessons I learned would fill multiple lifetimes,  “Sams said. I had launched some of the biggest shows in TV history, helped to create the #1 most recognized personality brands on the planet, hobnobbed with icons like Merv Griffin and Dick Clark, learned sales techniques from the best of the best and most important-found that even with a little engine, you can achieve great things.”

Q- What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?

A- Feeling worthy of my calling…..trying to measure up to that calling. Because over the years many times I felt my calling was clear and at other times I felt it was not. It is very hard to follow something when there is not clarity. However my perspective has changed in recent years. What I have discovered is that when you stop being stubborn and just accept what God has planned for you things go much smoother. I am learning to utilize God’s GPS to arrive at the destination he has for me. I have also stopped measuring my success by the money in my bank account or by trying to keep up with the Jones. I am also challenged with having the same kind of personal success in my relationship that I have had with my career. Life is a balancing act and we must learn to set priorities.

Q- David what advice can you share with our readers who seek a career in the entertainment industry?

A- First let me say that “THERE ARE NO EXCUSES” why you can’t create your own following, tribe or become a influencer with today’s resources such as social media and work your way into becoming a commentator or earning a book deal! When I was a kid I took pictures on my camera and then showed them to a very small audience which was usually my family/friends on my projector. Today you can record a 2 minute video, upload it to youtube and you instantly have worldwide distribution on your own channel for FREE. I also tell everyone that you ABSOLUTELY need to be internet and mobile savvy. The world is changing everyday and you must keep up with the technology. College is no longer just enough, but having a “under the hood” knowledge of the internet is essential. Mobile technology has changed the way the world communicates the last 5 years and you have to be in touch with that. Listen if you do something that stands out and above others there are a lot of big time players out here that will take notice. Lastly find a way to get in the door by working for free as an intern.

“To God Be The Glory” – David Sams

By Lee Griffin

Special thanks to Ron Jackson

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