Vida Stars

Here's my first installment of Vida Stars, a piece where I highlight dynamic young people.

Name: Keith Reed
Age: 30
City: Boston, Mass
Primary Gig: Business Writer for the Boston Globe
Secondary Gig: Freelance Writer
Tertiary Gig: Blogger-Blackpeoplesmoney.com
Married: No
Kids: Yes

You can see a sample of Keith's work in this month's Ebony Magazine. He has a piece titled "The Fickle Business of Fashion" where he interviewed fashion icons Tyra Banks, Iman, Kimora Lee Simmons and Alek Wek.

Did u go to school? If so, where and what was your major?
I went to Coppin State in Baltimore and graduated with a B.A. in English and a minor in communication management.

What r u most passionate about?
That's a tough question to answer because I'm passionate about so many things. I love writing, really communicating and the power of having a voice that reaches masses of people. I've also always been fascinated by politics -- how ideologies are harnessed through the art of compromise to bring about policy -- and by business and money. I guess you could say I'm passionate about all the vehicles through which people exercise power and influence.

What kind of business/opportunities/activities were u involved with when u were younger?
Man, when I was younger I did all kinds of stuff. In high school I worked at a McDonald's for two weeks and worked in a stockroom at a Victoria's Secret for a month. In high school I had all kinda hustles -- signing up people for credit cards, working at a rental car joint, writing papers for people, helping promote parties and concerts. Whatever way I could get a lil money.

How did you come into your current opportunity(s)?
Well, I got my current job four years ago through a recruiter for the Wall Street Journal. Iinterviewed there and they liked me, but then 9/11 happened and they stopped hiring, so she passed me on to her friend who was coming to be the business editor at the Globe. Freelancing is all a hustle. Writing small stuff, taking little assignments, building relationships with editors and getting in everybody's mix until people recognize your name and take your calls and pitches. My blogs, those things I pretty much created on my own. You don't have to knock on anyone's door anymore to put your ideas in front of the world.

What were u doing 5 years ago?
I was in my first job as an editor, running the web site at my old paper, the Baltimore Business Journal.

Where do you see urself in five years ?
I want to still be writing, about all kinds of subjects but especially business, style and big pieces about things that affect life in black communities. There will always be room for more and more nuanced perspectives on those things. The big thing is I want to have a higher profile and develop content based on what I write, so instead of being just a staff writer or freelancer, I might add editor or executive producer to my repertoire.

Who have u patterned your work/strategy/development/professional style after?
I have tons of mentors who I call on all the time for advice. I've always respected Earl Graves. Love Bob Johnson for his understanding of the business world. Roland Martin for being a journalist who mastered the art of self-promotion and building a personal brand without compromising his ethics in this business.

How do u balance ur schedule?
I haven't really figured out the balance part just yet. I mean, honestly, it's just in the last few months that I've figured out that the job, the gig, the hustle isn't everything. When you know you have all this energy and enthusiasm to put into what you do that makes you impatient. But when you knock on that glass ceiling for the first time that impatience can turn into frustration that'll kill you if you don't find other things that are more important.

How do you feel right now?
Grateful -- that I've been blessed with the opportunities that I have, that I have two lil reasons named Malik and Elijah that motivate me to take advantage of those opportunities and that I have the ideas and energy to keep opening more doors.

Who are you supporting in '08?
Ha. I'm a journalist, so I couldn't even answer that if I knew at this point. I have a good idea, but I'm not entirely sure yet.