What's the Media ?

Who said you can't be a jack of all trades? Better yet, who says that you can't do it all? Especially if everything you're trying to do correlates with each other.

Kris Kaylin Bennett, a South Carolina State University alumna of class of 2016, could definitely be considered a jack of all trades. During her time at SCSU she started Bulldog Bite, an entertainment video show, in which she adapted the concept from MTV. After completing her college career at SCSU in 2016, she eventually went on to work as a weekend radio personality for one of Charleston's most popular radio stations , Z93 Jams. She also runs her "Next Up Charleston" series, does brand management, and is a creative director for Black Southern Belle,     

When asked about her all her involvements and which one she likes the most, Bennett said, "I definitely love radio the most because I actually get to be my full self. I get to show my personality."

"Right behind that would be blogging" Bennett says, "because I still get to do my Next Up Charleston series."

Bennett got into blogging after graduating and meeting Michiel Perry, founder of Black Southern Belle. Perry was looking for a college intern. Despite already being a college graduate, Bennett reached out to Perry expressing that she is in fact a college graduate, but would still love to be apart Black Southern Belle.

 

One of the first things Bennett had to do while working with Perry was to plan a retreat Perry had in Charleston. Bennett's task entailed  reaching out to people and making flyers using Canva.

"That's when I first discovered Canva, which is amazing," she said. "If you can't use photoshop, Canva is your best friend."

According to Bennett, since Perry doesn't travel much anymore, due to having young children, Bennett is her "second in command". Especially when companies and PR firms reach out to BSB. For instance, the Emeline Hotel's in Charleston reached out to BSB to have them do a hotel stay. Bennett also got to go to an influencer dinner at the Bennett Hotel, where she got to meet and network with other social media influencers in Charleston.

Emeline Hotel Room

Bennett Hotel

The process that PR companies will reach out to Perry who then reaches out to Bennett. Bennett's job is to create content for these establishments like taking pictures of the food and getting videos of the room for promotional purposes.The expectation is that Kris Bennett uses certain hashtags given by the hotel and tagging the pages that needed to be tagged.

The perks of this for Bennet is getting a stipend (consisting of $100-$175) for her hotel stay from Perry, complimentary dinners from the hotel or credit to the room.

"Something is always included in the package," Bennett says.

Even though she is involved in all these opportunities now,  she recalls her the hardest thing for her was simply getting in the industry. Once her foot was in the door all the opportunities started to flow. 

"Once you get your foot in the door, kill it !" she said.

Aside from her many jobs, she does other things like making sure senior citizens have what they need for Covid,  being super involved in her community and doing giveaways.

Her advice to people coming in the communication field is to always be their authentic selves.

Kris Bennett Showcases How Bulldogs Can Bite Their Way into Media Careers

Against popular belief, South Carolina State University have multiple students who go on and live successful lives after graduating. One student in particular went from being a student at bulldog country to working for Z93 jamz in Charleston, SC.

Kris Bennett, an alumni of South Carolina State University and fellow communications major, came to visit SCSU's students to introduce a scholarship opportunity and also to introduce students to her documentary, “The Peninsula Stories: Ralph & Sid.”

Kris Bennet brings someone to discuss scholarship opportunities

“The Peninsula Stories: Ralph & Sid” is about two high school students, Ralph snd Sidney Sanders, who were star athletes at Burke High School.


" They were like park legends in Charleston," Bennett said.

 Bennett tells us that this documentary is about students who have the talent and what happens after if they don't have the grades to back it up. She also goes around to answer the question of whose the better athlete between Ralph and Sid.

"This documentary was a difficult task'" Bennet said.


Bennett had only a year to film this documentary and also dealt with difficulties of people speaking on camera. " People found it hard to be comfortable in front of the camera, but once the camera turns off they say everything I wanted them to," Bennett said, " that part was definitely a learning experience."

She went on to say her targeted audience for her documentary were people from Charleston who may or may not be sports enthusiast and people who may have attended Burke and are familiar with these athletes.

I think her documentary was very informative. It showed students the effects of having tools and not properly applying it. We were able to apply a true life story and see first hand what could happen if you have the talent but not take your education seriously. I feel it helps students to not make the same mistakes that Ralph and Sid did.