University (Class of 2006) campus, her goal of becoming a top media personality was going to require much sacrifice and hard work while in school, but it wasn’t until she graduated when she realized how life also became the greatest teacher. With more than 10 years in the industry, her work has graced various outlets including, MTV News, VH1, Nickelodeon, Entertainment Weekly, Blavity, iHeartRadio, and KillerBoombox. Memories at Norfolk State University Pierre always knew she was a natural-born leader. The importance of having autonomy in her life and career was what she considered top priority and she wanted to attend an HBCU that would prepare her for the next level. “I grew up in Northern Virginia. I wanted to attend an HBCU out of state just to be in another environment than what I was used to,” said Pierre.
HBCU SUCCESSAGAINST ALL ODDS: GEORGETTE PIERRE BY LAURA ONYENEHO
HBCU’s have become an essential part of the fabric of the black higher education experience in the United States. The HBCU experience continues to cultivate and produces top black collegiates who excel across various industries despite the numerous challenges they face after graduation. When Radio Personality, Content Creator, and Producer, Georgette Pierre took her first steps on the Norfolk State
26 | HBCU Times 2020 Winter Issue
“Norfolk wasn’t my first choice but out of all the HBCU’s I applied to, they were the only ones that accepted me.” With an open mind, she took the offer and quickly became acclimated with the campus. “ My HBCU experience was amazing,” she said. “ My parents are West Indian, so I knew the historical context behind an HBCU, but it didn’t dawn on me until I attended one. I liked how there was a traditional campus vibe to it.” Finding Purpose and Facing Academic Challenges at Norfolk Even though Pierre majored in business, her passion for pop culture and music eventually led her to her first taste in broadcasting as the host of a radio show on WNSB 91.1FM. “At Norfolk, I was in the music studio at school, rapping and performing at talent shows, she said.” “I was good at mimicking voices I would hear, and even though I wasn’t comfortable with my raspy voice, someone convinced me I had the voice for radio, and that was enough encouragement to audition for the role.” Finally, in tune with her purpose, she spent time developing her skills, but quickly discovered challenges in her academic experience. She grew concerned about the lack of hands-on experience in the classrooms. “The entrepreneurial spirit was in me but my professors at the time weren’t equipped with the necessary business experience,” said Pierre. “They taught straight from the textbooks and the information didn’t stick. Even as far as reaching out to campus administration to voice my concerns were difficult. It felt like I was dealing with a Hip Hop artist’s public relation’s team jumping through hoops just to get a word in.”
PIER
Post-Graduate Life
In 2006, Pierre graduated hoping she would get her first job in radio, but ended up working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car and part-time at the Banana Republic for a year before returning to
