Jaliah Robinson: a communicator

Jaliah Robinson

She stands at a podium staring at a crowd of people, all staring right back at her, just waiting to hear what she has to say. 

For Jaliah Robinson, some of the most defining times in her life were when she delivered speeches about things she cared about. As only a third-year student at Claflin University, Robinson has already made waves in the school’s mass communication department with her work being published in magazines like Women’s Day and Oprah Daily. She also has work that has been published in the Edisto Review.

How did her talents make her aspire to become a mass communications professional?

“I have always loved reading and writing, but I didn’t have my mind set on journalism. It was just a choice to get me to my path of being an editor. But as I started, it became something I’ve loved,” Robinson said.

Although she recognized her own talent, it took a push from teachers to show her she really had a future in writing.

“My moments that lead me to where I am have been my English classes. My ninth and 10^th-grade teachers really nurtured my love for the craft,” Robinson said.

The success she has obtained in academia comes from the people who inspire her. “Most inspiring people are my grandma first, because she’s my superhero. My best friend because she set the bar of excellence so high and my boyfriend because he’s so driven and accomplished. He really has his life together at 21,” she said.

From the outside looking in, one would never be able to tell she is juggling her social life, academics and extracurricular activities. Robinson is responsible and she always attends class.

This year she has made a major contribution to the mass communications department by creating a newsletter. 

“It started with a conversation in the hallways of GTK. Dr. A asked me what I wanted to do as a career and I told him a magazine editor is what I'm leaning towards, but I’d like to get more experience. That’s when he decided to make the newsletter. The name CUlture came about because of the group chat I have with my friends. To me, it just felt right that a magazine about the HBCU experience is named CUlture,” Robinson said.

That is right, she named and played a significant role in creating the newsletter. In creating that, she inspired other students because the newsletter featured student work from interactive videos, articles and photos. Seeing one’s name on the credits is always motivational. It also showed students in the department that if they want to do something with the help of staff, it is possible. 

“Following graduation, I plan to attend Boston University and pursue a masters in publishing.”

From where she was born and raised in Myrtle Beach to where she attends school in Orangeburg, wherever Robinson goes, she will make a positive impact.