Let’s work together
Raised in Columbus, OH, WaTeasa fell in love with writing in the fifth grade and has spent her life crafting this skill. After graduating Manga Cum Laude from Tennessee State University she hit the ground running. She moved to Lafayette, LA to pursue her dream of journalism where she is currently located. From lifestyle to legal reporting, real estate to food WaTeasa is ready to tackle whatever beat you throw her way
B.S. Tennessee State University
Graduated May 2021
- Major: Mass Communications Journalism
- Minor: Africana Studies
- Manga Cum Laude
- Final GPA 3.64
- Producer TSU TV 98
- Recipient of Getahn Ward Memorial Scholarship for Journalism
News Apprentice- Law360
Oct 2022- March 2024
- Lead NA for Real Estate Authority
- Conducting daily searches for large real estate deals.
- Pitching stories from federal court cases
- Creating and curating research projects
- Developing an eye for legal breaking news
Research
One of my biggest projects as a member of Law360's Real Estate Authority was building and maintaining the Brownfield Policy Tracker.
I spent months researching and documenting legislation for all 50 states and federal bills relating to brownfields. This project required extreme time management, through research, and organization.
This tracker was updated weekly to include new bills and follow those in session.
Research Cont.
Here are some additional stories made possible due to my research and ability to pull news stories from court cases and government documents
Business
While interning at The Tennessean I went out on a limb asking to cover a business located on the historically Black side of Nashville. This bookstore had been open for more than 30 years before I came to Nashville in 2017 and had never been mentioned by the paper.
This story was my first time pitching from my heart and it paid off. Gathering thousands of reads on the first day. These numbers continued to grow for weeks reminding me that my blackness is a gift, not a hindrance.
Four months after this story was published Yusef Harris passed away, I feel honored to have told his story before he died.
Culture
Louisiana’s culture is something that fascinates a lot of the world. While working at The Daily Advertiser I wanted to highlight the unique parts of that culture. Using my platform to educate our readers on the history of religious and cultural practices native to the region.
Another major element in the culture of southern Louisiana is music. This story on Zydeco not only relates to the music but also touches on the history of racial issues within the state and how Black Louisianasians overcame them.
Communications
Although journalism was my entry into the world of mass communication, I have skills that extend past that area.
I have taken courses both in college and post graduate involving public relations, social media, and marketing. I believe my research, writing, and interpersonal communications skills that I acquired while working in journalism merge well into these fields.
I am excited to learn and gain new skills. I have always been known as a quick and avid learner.
Here are a few courses I have completed in 2024 thus far.
Phone
Email
614-330-2538
wateasaf@gmail.com
