Today, I pause to reflect on the overwhelming favor God has shown me throughout my life and career as a journalist. From the beginning, He has placed me in positions where His hand could be clearly seen, guiding me through both challenging and triumphant moments, always opening doors and creating opportunities that seemed beyond reach.
It all began when I was just 13 years old, serving as a Teen Panelist for The Commercial Appeal, where I was able to speak on issues that mattered to my peers. One of my first articles, discussing the appropriate age for teens to drive, caught the attention of then-Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. His words of encouragement were a powerful reminder that I was on the right path—one that God had placed me on early in life. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of a remarkable journey.
By the time I was 15, I became a Reporter and Photographer for The Teen Appeal, a collaboration between The Commercial Appeal, The University of Memphis and The Scripps Howard Foundation, at the University of Memphis. I was blessed to be part of the inaugural high school city-wide newspaper journalism program, and the favor of God was apparent when I received multiple awards, including First Place for Best Sports Story, Third Place for Best News Story Idea, and The Teen Appeal Longevity Award. These experiences, along with the Teen Appeal Scholarship that supported my college education, reinforced how God's hand was constantly shaping my path.
In the spring of 2000, at 17 years old, I was chosen to represent Whitehaven High School and the Memphis City School System as a Student Panelist on Court TV's nationwide special on "Youth Violence." This incredible opportunity allowed me to use my voice on a national stage to address important issues affecting my generation. Standing alongside local leaders, I saw God's favor in action as He positioned me to speak out on such a critical topic, showing me that His hand was guiding me toward a career of impact.
At 18 years old, in the summer of 2000, I was honored to participate in two prestigious journalism programs: the Ida B. Wells Journalism Internship Program at Tennessee State University and the African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American (AHANA) Journalism Workshop at the Missouri School of Journalism. Serving as the issue editor for the Say What? newspaper during the Ida B. Wells Program taught me leadership skills, and I was humbled to receive the Ida B. Wells Award for Leadership for my work. The AHANA Workshop further allowed me to develop as a reporter for the Urban Pioneer newspaper, and it was during this time that one of my stories was picked up by The Columbian-Missourian, earning me the AHANA Journalism Workshop Coaches Award for Best Overall Print Journalist. These experiences strengthened my craft and gave me the confidence to keep moving forward, knowing that God was with me every step of the way.
High school graduation brought me to Franklin College, where I wrote news stories, entertainment reviews, and editorials for The Franklin, expanding my skills and deepening my passion for storytelling. It was during this time that I began to see how God’s favor wasn’t just about recognition—it was about honing my voice, learning to tell stories that mattered, and developing skills that would impact my career for years to come.
In July 2005, at 23, God opened another door for me at The Jackson Sun as a Public Safety Reporter. I covered a murder on my very first day, and from that moment on, I knew God was preparing me for even greater challenges. His favor carried me through countless hours of covering high-profile trials, one in which I worked 70 hours in one week to ensure the community had the full story. Throughout my time at The Jackson Sun, I was blessed to receive several awards, including the State Press Award for Best Spot News Story, multiple Awards of Excellence, and recognition for Daily Deadline Reporting. In February 2008, at 25, I had the opportunity to contribute to USA Today with a story about the second-deadliest February tornado outbreak since 1900. Covering this story reminded me that God places us in moments where our work can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
From 2010 to 2016, I served as the Jackson Crime Examiner and later the Jackson Geek Culture Examiner for Examiner.com, where I wrote stories, briefs, and updates covering everything from crime in my community to the latest in comic books, movies, and video games. God’s favor allowed me to blend my professional expertise with my passion for geek culture, and I found joy in crafting stories that brought people together around shared interests. His hand was evident in every story I wrote, every photo I took, and every opportunity I had to engage with readers through this platform.
In October 2012, I began freelancing for The CrimeSeen Examiner News, where I had the opportunity to cover significant events like the Ku Klux Klan rally in Memphis, the shooting of Memphis Police Officer Martoiya V. Woods Lang, and other critical stories that affected the community. Through every challenging story, I trusted that God had placed me there to give a voice to those who needed it most.
One of the greatest blessings has been the opportunity to host Forever Communications' "Hub City Now with Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.", a show where I interview incredible individuals making a difference in their communities. Through these conversations, I inform, uplift, and engage the community, helping to spread positive stories and create awareness about the impactful work happening all around us.
In my role as Digital Media Manager for Forever Communications, which began in September 2019, I witnessed His favor in ways I could have never imagined. From managing the digital presence of four radio stations to covering vital press conferences during the COVID-19 pandemic, God allowed me to serve my community in new and impactful ways. He has gave me the tools and opportunities to share critical information when it was needed most.
As I look back on my journey, it’s clear that through every trial, every story, every recognition, and every long hour spent telling the stories that needed to be told, God has been with me.
His favor has not only opened doors but has placed me in positions to lift others up, to tell their stories, and to serve the community in ways I never dreamed possible.
I’m excited to see where He leads me next because I know that His favor will continue to guide me.
To everyone reading this, remember that no matter where you are in your journey, God’s favor is working in your life. Trust Him, and let His hand guide you, just as He has guided me.
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