Amani Channel is the Senior Digital Producer at KEF Media
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Amani Channel: Imagine Your Future
The first key: Have a Mentor. Amani found a mentor at his first job in DC, who guided him and counseled him, and who has continued to provide him with insight and advice.
Second:Do Whatever it Takes. Amani told the students that he would not be where he is today had he not always focused on putting himself entirely behind his work, and showing coworkers and employers that he is ready, willing, and able to accomplish any task put before him. No job is too small or too big, no time commitments too demanding, and no project too difficult if you’re passionate about it and desire success, Amani said.
And third: Be the Best. Amani shared the following advice his father once gave him:“If you’re not learning something new everyday, you’re doing something wrong!” By doing his best work and always focusing on ways to improve and learn, Amani told the students, he has been able to always be the best person he can be. With this attitude, he has been able to set his own goals and reach them with confidence, knowing that good work and a positive attitude are rewarded with personal fulfillment and positive career results.
Amani concluded by telling the students that if they are confident in themselves and remain passionate about all that they do, they will find that they, too, can “go against the grain,” stand out from the ordinary, and accomplish anything that they put their minds to.
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Amani Channel is an award-winning video producer and a specialist in traditional and new media.
He is the founder of Visual Eye Media, a company that helps businesses, organizations, and individuals leverage traditional and social media for marketing, promotions, and to build stronger relationships. Amani is also the content manager at Public Broadcasting Atlanta for Lens on Atlanta, the first regionally-focused online community in the country to be sponsored by public broadcasting.
Prior to joining PBA, Amani worked as a journalist. His content, commentaries, and reports have been featured on on NPR, APTN (Associated Press Television News), CNN, Headline News, Fox News Channel, BET, Black Family Channel, HDNews, and across the Web.
[tab:Student Comments]
- I especially liked your point about staying positive and exuding positive energy.
- I feel that your presentation really helped me understand the essentials of working professionally.
- Thanks for everything you all have done for us.
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Further Study
Amani Channel: Imagine Your Future
by Alex F. Viguerie
Synopsis: Amani Channel, KEF Senior Media Producer, discusses the importance of both character and image in advancing one’s career hopes. Channel has not done anything special or extraordinary to achieve his success. His secrets to success come through his professionalism, integrity, accountability, and most importantly his positivity. In this video, he outlines why this approach so effective and how anybody can achieve similar success with this attitude.
SUGGESTED POINTS OF INTEREST:
-2:33: Here, Channel talks about the importance of being a lifelong learner. Is this the same type of “learning” as learning in school? Ask students to pay special attention to examples of his continued learning in the video, there are several.
-8:17: Make sure to point out the importance of connections here. Amani’s friend was late for the interview, but through his close personal contact, was still able to get the job.
-11:09: Amani discusses how important it is to be become involved. His connections and involvements have helped him achieve his success. Gauge the level of involvement in the classroom. Briefly discuss ways in which the students could get involved right away and how these involvements could benefit them long-term.
OPEN-ENDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
-Why is it important to have a broad skill set? How has Amani Channel benefitted from being multitalented?
-Amani mentions that “obstacles will appear.” Why is a positive attitude so essential in these situations?
-Amani puts a heavy emphasis on the importance of image. In what ways can image be improved? What does a professional image say about somebody?
-Amani talks about the negatives of being late and unprofessional. What are the positives of being punctual and professional? How is this related to his points on initiative and positivity?
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