Calvin Hughes: More Than Just a Journalist

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 02:07:37 GMT

By Krisna Maddy

Calvin Hughes, Local 10 news anchor.

To Miami locals, Calvin Hughes is the anchor on Local 10’s 6 pm and 11 pm news,the man with the memorable voice, and talent for TV Broadcasting. But, whatmany locals don’t know is that Calvin Hughes is more than the guy that delivers the news; he’s a motivational figure. Before the Clevelandnative found his passion for journalism, he first pursued his NBA dreams; however,fate chose otherwise. While in college,Hughes was told his memorable voice would do well in broadcasting, so Hughesdecided to follow his calling. “You don’t pick your profession; your profession picksyou. I loved [journalism], and I still do,” said Hughes. Hughes started his career at the tender age of 19 as anintern, hosting the news segment on a radio show, in Columbia, Missouri whilealso attending the University of Missouri. He worked on local stories, fromweather reports to delivering local news to listeners. Hisjourney did not stop there. Hughes wenton to work in Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Dallas, working in differentenvironments, and meeting new people. “You learn people, and different situations. It’s thesame problems, just different parts of the country. You’re able to applyyourself and you learn from your mistakes,” said Hughes. But, Calvin Hughes’s journeys did not stay within theU.S.; he traveled beyond the border to cover special reports and thedevastating earthquake in Haiti. “Haiti was a life changing experience. It was achallenging story, and what I saw there motivates me. It makes me a betterjournalist,” Hughes said. There he had an encounter with a young Haitian girl, oneof his most inspirational interviews. Whileon assignment, Hughes found a young girl studying at one of the local prisons;she had no electricity or lights at her own home. The prison’s lights were allshe had. “People like that are the folks that I look forward totalking and meeting. They motivate me,” said Hughes. It is interviews like these, and a manifold ofexperiences that have shaped Calvin Hughes to become the journalist that he istoday. “You mature as a broadcaster, from the standpoint thatyour world expands,” Hughes said. His career and his knowledge have grown and continue togrow, as he learns from his mistakes, and deals with the social scrutiny thatcomes with being on T.V. “It’s different from when I started, now with socialmedia. You get scrutiny from the media, but at some point you say okay, and youlet it simmer,” Hughes said. But, Calvin Hughes understands that his role as ajournalist is much bigger than his job to deliver news. For Hughes, much of hisdedication lies in giving back to the community that supports him. Hughesis a motivational speaker to students in high school, college, churches, andcharitable organizations. He believes in setting an example through his work andmotivating younger audiences. “Part of your job as a successful professional, is to useyour position to support your charitable agenda. My agenda is to let the nextgeneration know that to succeed in life, you have to do your best. It’s aboutmotivating your generation,” said Hughes. Nonetheless, Hughes is not afraid to admit that he didn’tdo it all alone. He contributes his success to local audiences, and people inthe field who have influenced him along the way, and taught him how to improveas a journalist. As he reflects on his career, from his experiences in Haiti,that left an emotional impact, to the everyday news reporting on local stories,he has no regrets. But, where can we expect to hear that memorable voice in5-10 years? “My ultimate job is to work at 60 minutes. It would benice to be asked to do national broadcasting. Who knows what the future holds.If it happens it happens,” said Hughes.

The Harbinger

Calvin Hughes: More Than Just a Journalist