Global Conversation: Ernest Owens

Ernest Owens has been a journalist for ten years since he was a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. He started off in student broadcast radio and started taking up professional freelance writing opportunities soon after. Owens’ first big break came in 2012 when he won a student writing contest from Arianna Huffington to get published in the Huffington Post. 

From there, Owens’ commentary on race, politics, and pop culture received national attention and he began to expand his brand. His decision to pursue a career in journalism was rooted in a passion to reveal intersectional truths that continue to be suppressed in society. 

Now an award-winning Philadelphia journalist, Owens continues to advance on paths toward success. He was recently announced as Philly Mag’s Editor-At-Large and the uncontested Presidential Candidate for the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. 

Peak Johnson: Was there someone that inspired you to pursue the career? 

Ernest Owens: My grandmother who always pushed me to tell the truth and have opinions. Growing up, I thought that meant being a lawyer, and then a politician. But within initially aspiring to pursue both of those careers, a love for writing and expressing compelling thoughts grew. My grandmother always made it a point to have children seen and heard around her. I remember spending hot summers with her with my young brothers in Marianna, Arkansas when she always had me be the official reader/writer of the tribe. Little did I know that such practice would ultimately lead to a career in journalism where I am the messenger to the public at large. 

PJ: Can you tell me about the first story that you wrote as a journalist?  How did it make you feel?

EO: The first reported story I did as a professional journalist was a feature on former Little League Baseball player Mo’ne Davis for Metro Philly. It was a front page story and was released while she was promoting an upcoming book on her baseball career. At first, I came to the interview with these very prolific questions on life and then realized how young she was and how fun it would be to just ask her about what sparks her interest off the field. She was very easy going and the interview went well. It taught me the importance of making a pivot when things don’t make sense while reporting in real time. 

PJ: How did you find your passion to write about some of the topics that you write about currently? Some of them are topics that not many journalists will cover.

EO: I am intentional on not going where others often travel in my reporting and commentary. I am always looking for new subjects, topics, and angles to explore that challenges both myself and the audience. I do this personally to avoid boredom and to also improve the expansion of knowledge out there to the community. I love learning with readers and sharing with them my thought process and exploration at the same time. 

PJ: What has been the most challenging part of your career so far?

EO: Knowing that I can’t tell every story and weigh in on every issue. I am bombarded daily with dozens of experiences from readers and followers that intrigue me to pursue them as potential stories. However, I am the only one person who also has a family, friends group, and support system to also consider. Prioritizing my self-care and time has been essential for me to continue to do this work. I only strive for the best in my work and that means also holding myself to that same standard physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  

Read the full conversation by clicking here…

Dominique “Peak” Johnson is a North Philadelphia journalist and is one of the founding editors of the North Philly Metropolis. Currently, Peak practices kickboxing, freelances for Generocity.org, and occasionally tweets about “The Walking Dead.” Click here to learn more about Peak.