2023 USSYP Yearbook - Flipbook - Page 46
USSYP JOURNALISM LUNCHEON
Soledad O’Brien
Elevate Facts and Honesty
J
(RIGHT)
Ms. O’Brien with Texas delegate
Sonya Kulkarni and Idaho delegate
Emma Brulotte
44 | UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM 2023
ournalist and author Soledad O’Brien brought enthusiasm and wisdom
to the podium for the USSYP annual Journalism Luncheon, and
ultimately incorporated the entire experience into her show, Matter of
Fact with Soledad O’Brien to the delight of all. She described her early career
strategy as leading with “yes”; by often volunteering for assignments that
were not in her job description. She found that “Doing so put you in rooms
with interesting people, gave you the opportunity to build your résumé
and forced you to do things that were a bit scary. But that would grow your
skillset every day.” Responding to Mississippi delegate Joshua Bowman
about navigating obstacles, her advice was not to avoid the emotions
associated with failure. “The minute it happens, you can say that was
terrible. Let’s embrace it. Clearly, I am supposed to learn something
from this.” Ms. O’Brien quoted her mother when a setback
occurred. “She said you get 24 hours. Take 24 hours to cry, sit in
bed, whatever you want to do, but then start making a list of next
steps.” Ms. O’Brien urged America’s future leaders to fight against
misinformation and disinformation. “I beg of you to elevate facts
and honesty,” she said, highlighting journalism’s role “to hold
people in power accountable, reflect all of the community, make
sure that all voices are being heard and bring facts into context.”
Texas delegate Sonya Kulkarni commended the award-winning
anchor and host in her appreciation: “Journalism is more important now
than ever in ensuring that the truth is preserved and sanctified.”
