Lunch with Honors | Beyond the Selfie: Being Self-Aware and Self-Involved to Tell Stories for All

Depth is achieved when a storyteller focuses beyond the “selfie” on personal challenges—bringing a sharper image to moments of growth and celebration. Speaking into this self-awareness can help other people address uncertainties in their lives. As a journalist, Delece Smith-Barrow’s stories and reports hold strong personal interest for her. As Smith-Barrow researches and runs stories on these topics, she’s realized that people, both near and far, share her perspective. By exposing herself, she is able to voice questions they have, but don't feel comfortable voicing. Involving herself in the quest for answers, she is able to offer a story-telling perspective in national media that isn’t often seen.

Delece Smith-Barrow is a higher education reporter at U.S. News & World Report, where she covers admissions challenges and trends, and the connection between higher education and employment. She has also been a producer, online writer and editor, and reporter for a wide range of issues. She is a Knight-Wallace Fellow at Michigan this year.

Come to meet her and discuss sharing stories, journalism, and more. Want to sample her work? Click on the links below.

Featured Articles
Single and looking? You'll need a support group too.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soloish/wp/2015/10/20/single-and-looking-youll-need-a-support-group-too/


Jollof rice, with an asterisk.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/jollof-rice-with-an-asterisk/2013/02/15/3af73896-746f-11e2-95e4-6148e45d7adb_story.html

Will Black Salons Survive the Recession?
http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2009/03/will_black_salons_survive_the_recession/