Raven: I think if you want to be a journalist, a person has to be outgoing. A good journalist has to love to write, read and be a well-rounded person. For example, if I were to do an interview with Ne-Yo I would have to do research before conducting an interview and that includes reading and writing. There are a lot of writers who like to write, but don’t like to read and I don’t consider them a good journalist if they can’t do both.

Raven: As an editor-in-chief, I wish I would’ve known that everyone is not going to have the same drive as me. When I first started my magazine, Excape the Matrix, there were a good amount of people in the staff, but as time went on the group was narrowed down. I just wish everyone could be on the same page and I wish I would’ve come in with the knowledge that everyone wouldn’t be on the same page.

Raven: I think it’s good if someone has a college background, especially if they want to be a doctor or lawyer. But I felt like I didn’t really need it for writing. Although I wish I had more English classes for correct grammar and things of that nature. I also wish I could be prepared for the different types of people I interview because there are friendly people who like to converse more than others and people who are not so friendly and give short answers.

Raven: Meeting new people, it’s a wonderful feeling to meet new people. Some people view me as a journalist and when you do it right, it feels so good. I have people come up to me and tell me how I change their views of journalism and that feels so rewarding. I also I have a staff of people who are thankful to be in the positions they are in and it feels good to know that I am not in this alone.

Raven: What I like least is the lack of communication. I don’t like it when I’m serious about the business and have others who aren’t. That makes me so angry (laughs).

Raven: I have all the influence. In the position I’m in there’s nothing you will get past me and there’s a lot to give out. For example, for my May issue of Excape the Matrix the main focus is Fashion. I generally told the whole staff to run with it and if they need my help then I am here. But I wanted for them to do their thing. I don’t like to be in charge of everything, I like for people to show their gifts. All the effects are the things I put out there.

Raven: A journalist has to be willing to grind, I think that’s the best training. Of course, going to school and studying is an obvious way, but if school isn’t for a person then I would have to say that grind and listening are the best training and/or qualifications. It would be wise for a person to start off under people and then venture off into their own.

Raven: It’s good to be in one company and eventually grow into another company that’s even bigger. But that’s with any career. It’s not good to jump from one job into another because it doesn’t look good on the resume’. I’ve never been at one place less than two years.

Raven: If you go to any major city, it’s not that hard to get a writing job. There are places like the Baltimore Sun and the Afro in Baltimore. But there are internships at Towson, Loyola, all different universities. The only thing about internships are that you don’t get paid for them, but it looks good on your resume’ and if you have the passion, it shouldn’t matter.

Raven: The advice I would give to aspiring writers is that you must have a plan, just have that passion and drive because if you don’t have it, there’s no way you will make it. There are different types of journalism, whether it’s on MTV News or news in Baghdad. You have to be willing to come in, willing to learn new things and not pretending to know everything.

Raven: No, thank you. It was an honor that you picked me for this interview, bro.