Hey there. It’s been a while, and I have so much to catch you up on! We’ll start with me being on T.V.!
Behind the Scenes
One of the things that drew me to PR earlier in my career was that I’d be behind the camera. While Olivia Pope (Scandal fans, anyone?) coached her clients on what to say in front of the camera, I was doing the same. The spotlight wasn’t on me. I loved that. I didn’t want the pressure!
That was up until recently when Detroit Public Television reached out for their “One Detroit” series featuring Asian Pacific Islander Americans. If I participated, I’d have the opportunity of spotlighting one of the most influential women in my career, Dr. Meaghan Kozar.
For those of you who don’t know Meaghan—you should. (:
Creating a Lasting Bond through Advocacy
I first met Meaghan as a freshman studying communications and public relations at Michigan State University. Meaghan was a program coordinator for the Asian Pacific American Studies program at MSU. She went on to be the assistant director, coordinator of Student Success Initiatives, and a project manager for MSU’s Inclusive Campus Initiative! She’s a rockstar!
The first time I saw her, she was rocking blue eyeliner, which I will never forget. As an Asian American raised in Lansing, Michigan, my mother taught me to be quiet, and blend into the background. But here Meaghan was! She stood out with her bold blue eyeliner, and spoke clearly and loudly. Her presence commanded the room!
The Importance of Mentorship
Meaghan went on to be a great mentor and encourager. I was fortunate to have her during my undergraduate studies, and I’m lucky to keep in touch with her today. The DPTV series tells the story of how Meaghan and I became friends, and how we didn’t allow stereotypes to box us in.
Thank you Zosette Guir and Bill Kubota for thinking our story was worth telling. Your grace and joy throughout interviews will always remind me why working with media can be so incredibly rewarding.
