Many people would describe
earning a college diploma as one of the defining
moments of their lives. Alexander Ford is not
one of those people.
Instead, Ford views recently graduating from Hampton
University as just another step in his journey
to “taking over the airwaves.”
Ford said he developed his ambitious personality
early on. The only child of a single mother, he
grew up in Miami with a lot of independence.
“My mother did not spoon feed me,”
Ford said. “She let me experience the world
for myself.”
Now, he plans to dispel the myth that people from
single-parent homes cannot succeed.
“People who complain about that foolishness,
they’re holding themselves back,”
Ford said.
The confident Ford refuses to be held back by
anything, especially hard work. While at Hampton,
Ford was not only the sports editor and copy editor
for The Hampton Script, but also the urban music
director at the campus radio station, WHOV 88.1-FM.
He also produced a talk show about relationships
called “He Said/She Said.”
His efforts have been paying off. After The New
York Times Student Journalism Institute, he will
begin an internship with Black College Wire.
The 22-year-old hopes to move from print journalism
to broadcast. Ford wants to make this jump to
reach more people.
“I feel that I’m so ultra-talented
that by just doing newspaper, I would be limiting
myself because of my potential,” Ford said.
Though he does not have a job lined up after the
summer, he is not worried. Ford said he thinks
his confidence will help him overcome any obstacle.
“My attitude is that of someone who believes
I will be successful,” Ford said. “I
believe if you have the right swagger, and truly
believe, there’s nothing that can keep you
from your goals.”
AYESHA RASCOE
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