Distinguished Gentleman of the Month: Justin Crawford

Justin F. Crawford
The University of Tennessee, Journalism and Electronic Media (May 2018)
Senior Correspondent at Raycom Media’s Knoxville Weekend
Instagram: @JustinCrawfordTV 

Twitter: @JustCrawfordTV
 President of Diversity Student Leaders Society, Communication and Information Ambassador, Peer Career Adviser at The Center for Career Development, Co-Director of Ignite at The Center for Leadership and Service, and Former Tennessee Cheerleader

What does "Distinguished Gentleman" mean to you?

"Distinguished Gentleman, to me, clearly defines a young man who is hardworking, dedicated to making his goals attainable, and has a character that allows him to accomplish anything while investing in others."

 What is your brand and how did you get started?

"My brand is my name and my profession as a multimedia host/personality in the media industry. I have discovered this brand over the last 4 years of my college career by molding my desires and dreams into one role that I can now call a dream job. Since I was young, I have dreamed to host a show or perform on-air for television, and because of the endless opportunities I have chased while in college, I have built this brand for myself on my campus, in the Knoxville community and on social media. It is nice to know that not only have I been able to find the career path that I have dreamed of, but whenever I hear from other’s that “this is what I was born to do” or “this is exactly what I am good at” it is a constant reminder that I am doing exactly what I need to be doing. This has been so beneficial to my future in this business because of the experiences I have had on-air/reporting already before even graduating from college, which will ultimately allow me to get to my next goals sooner and more efficiently." 

What is your dream goal and how do you plan on achieving it?

"My dream goal is to simultaneously host a lifestyle/entertainment-based show on television while working with producers and directors on musicals and shows. I plan on achieving this by getting my first on-air full-time job as a lifestyle/entertainment host (building my resume reels and working to master my hosting and interviewing skills), then eventually building my credibility/name to hire an agent and move onto larger network shows in larger markets. I have always worked towards crafting my brand as a lifestyle and entertainment personality, so I want to continue doing that – just on a larger scale."          

Name a moment that you feel helped shape you into the young man that you are today.

"When I was 16, my parents separated and my mother and I moved to Tennessee on our own – forcing me to grow up a lot sooner than I wanted to. Through all of our struggles, sacrifices, and life lessons, I know that this very moment in my life is exactly why I am the young, hardworking, and hungry man I am today. There are many reasons from my childhood that I feel could have molded me into this young man, but I know that learning to take care of my mother side-by-side until I was accepted into my university is the reason I work as hard as I do to reach my goals now."

Name a person (dead or alive) that you look up to & why?

"More on my career goals, I look up to Ryan Seacrest. This man not only has his hands in various areas of the entertainment/media business, but he has revolutionized what it means to make your name your brand with his radio show, hosting jobs on E Network and American Idol, and even a fashion line at Macy’s. He proves to me every time I watch him on television and/or hear him on the radio that doing various things you love is very much possible – making it more realistic that I do not have to only host a show to reach my goals, but I can still enjoy being around movie productions and concert shows."

When it comes to being a man, what do you feel should be the three core values that a gentleman should uphold?

1. Chasing your dreams, no matter how big
2. Respecting others, no matter who they are and what they do
3. Being kind to everyone, no matter the circumstance

What is a quote that live by and how do you live up to it?

"I live by many quotes, but if I had to choose one right now I would say, “Don’t wait for opportunity. Create it.” I live through this quote as I constantly am seeking the best opportunity for my future goals to be achieved, and if I see there is no opportunity at the moment, I will always be the first to find a way to create it. Whether it is a talk show, organization, or on-air opportunity, I do not settle for an opportunity if I know I can create something better and most effective for my goals."

 Piece of advice that you would give to young men of color who do not believe in themselves or lack role models?

"It all begins with you. You have to believe in yourself and be your biggest cheerleader. Remember, we were all born in this world alone and we will die alone – which means you have to live the absolute best life you can while you are here for YOU. Seek positivity, energy, and motivation – with these 3 things; you will then be very surprised at how well your life will be lived. There is nothing wrong with starting today, but it is never too late to start over and find yourself once more so you can be the best version of yourself for the rest of your life!"