Darryl Forges, a reporter for NBC 6, visited Miami Lakes Educational Center’s newsroom on Thursday and discussed journalism, work ethic and the 24-hour news cycle with The Harbinger staff.
A huge thanks to @DarrylNBC6 for coming into the Pink Room journalism class yesterday and teaching us all you know from experience. Glad we had the opportunity to meet you! @HarbingerMLEC @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/OxmIgB1gQk
— Gaby Li🌸 (@gxbriellaaaa_) January 20, 2018
Forges’s news reel, a compilation of his latest work — ranging from crime scene coverage to a punny segment of Zoo Miami’s yearly “Zoo Doo” event was testament to the unpredictability of a journalist’s day.
“Every day is different,” said Forges. Who may begin his day covering an accident on the Palmetto before driving to cover a mayor’s speech, then a protest, then a shooting.
The only thing that he knows for sure when his alarm clock goes off at 2:30 in the morning, is that he has no idea how the day will go. And it is exactly that creative chaos, and his newly discovered love of a “Cuban colada,” that fuels him through those pre-dawn hours.
However, his adventure almost didn’t happen. After graduating from the University of West Georgia, Forges had trouble finding work. It took him seven months, he said, to land his first job. But, he worked through the self-doubt and it paid off and he became a reporter for the CBS affiliate in Alabama, where he had the opportunity to report on several significant and historic events.
“I had the opportunity to cover President Obama’s visit to Selma for the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, and the 60th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.”
Forges covered politics and tragedy. He was “threatened with a shotgun – more than once,” and he reported on stories of victory and loss.
Before moving to Miami, Forges won several awards including an Alabama Broadcasters Association award, as well as two Associated Press Awards and had the amazing experience of rushing through a red-carpet interview with John Legend to interview Oprah Winfrey.
Early in his career, Forges tried to emulate other journalists, like Lester Holt. It was not until he embraced his own voice, that his career really began.
“There are a lot of people in this world who don’t want to be themselves because they’re afraid of standing out. Find yourself, know who you are,” Forges said.
His biggest advice? “Believe in yourself…. And always listen to your teachers.
It’s still the craziest experience of my life. lol. Thank you for having me. I had a great time with you all!! https://t.co/5it1u5LXUg
— Darryl Forges (@Darryl_Forges) January 19, 2018
Thank you for not only helping us with our #CSPANStudentCam documentary on the First Amendment, but also talking with the @HarbingerMLEC staff!
Side note: my mom thinks you’re hilarious, and loves watching your segments. pic.twitter.com/iSUJ0PejI0
— Daylin Delgado (@daylindelgado) January 18, 2018
