We recently connected with Aaron Deane and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Aaron thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

As a journalist who has been in the broadcasting industry for over 10 years, I have written, produced, and edited so many stories that highlight communities that often get overlooked. I also get to inform people on topics they might not know a lot about and engage with so many cool people from so many different backgrounds.

One project that was meaningful to me both personally and professionally was interviewing Actress, Businesswoman, Activist, and Musician Angelica Ross. I interviewed her because she was going to host Stonewall Day 2023. At this point in my career, I was working what felt like overtime to shake my local news image as I aspired to do more lifestyle, entertainment, and feature-type projects. Going into the interview I was afraid that I would sound and come across too news-like.

At the end of the interview, I felt like I had to tell her I was a fan of her and that the show Pose impacted my life. Oh did I mention she was my FIRST celebrity interview?! So I told her, and she gave me this big smile and said “You’re so amazing. You’re so composed and perfect, I can see such a bright future for you, this is amazing” Along with her being shocked this was my first interview with a celeb.

For some, a moment like that would be just that, a moment but for me, it was a sign that I truly have what it takes to step into different parts of this industry and that my talent and skills will always speak for themselves as long as I am authentic in what I do. After that Angelica Ross followed me on social media and she even likes my posts from time to time. LOVE HER!

Aaron, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Growing up in the 90s I didn’t see too many black people on national TV when it comes to TV hosts, News Anchors, etc. I remember seeing, Bryant Gumbel, Oprah, Al Roker, and Montel Williams. I saw even less black people on my local news in Roanoke, Va.

I thought that I was going to grow up and be a high school English teacher. But I wasn’t until about 11th grade with my technology/FBLA leader asked us to do a slide show on our career goals. I was stumped. She suggested I take one of those career tests and do some reached on what careers popped up. After completing that long test I got a lawyer, copywriter, TV Journalist, and something in Marketing. The only one that stood out to me was the TV Journalist and being the procrastinating high schooler I was I only had one day to get everything done. Here came presentation day and I’m talking to the class about what I looked up on being a TV Journalist. I guess my delivery was amazing because as I was done, my teacher said “You might want to look into this long term.”

Then came my senior year and I was in DECA class this time and my teacher was telling us we had a competition coming up. I didn’t want to go and compete because I was flopping the practices we were doing in classes. She pushed me to go and I am so glad she did. Even though I was bombing the competition, my teacher told me not to give up and try to make it to the end of the day. At the end of the day, I look over and see my teacher talking to a news reporter but the name of Susan Bahorich. She worked for WDBJ 7 in Roanoke Va at the time. My teacher knew I thinking about working in TV and the next thing you knew My Teacher, Susan, the school, and the new station worked together to let me shadow her for the day. The experience was life-changing and confirmed TV was for me.

Before I graduated high school I got a job at a local media company working in promotions. After high school, I worked on a local talk show while attending community college. I ended up graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Mass Communications.

So far in my career trying to get in front and stay in front of the camera has been non-traditional, to say the least. Here is the order of the types of jobs I have had so far. Radio promotions team member a production assistant then a communications intern then an early morning production assistant then became a multimedia journalist/fill-in anchor then the main evening news anchor then left that job to work the front desk at Planet Fitness then worked with kids at a local youth development center then now being back on camera again working for a steaming network. Oh did I mention …this required me to move around part of the country too?

I believe that no matter what hands you are dealt in life you can win your race, you can meet your goals, and you can do whatever it is. Your path is your path and sometime you can’t change it but you can kick butt, learn and grow at each stop.

Storytelling is POWERFUL. I love hearing stories, conducting interviews, and telling stories. When I interview people want to know why you smile, why you cry, you get you up in the morning what helps you sleep at night and you do you like Beyonce and The Real Housewives. YOU BETTER.

Through storytelling, I have been able to help clear up misunderstandings, make people smile, touch a heart or two, and simply give people the chance to be seen and heard. I feel my style and brand is full of personality mixed with experience and the willingness to push the envelope and shake the table.

When people see me on camera hosting or speaking in person I want you to know I’m Just Aaron and you’re safe and at home with me. Let’s learn together, let’s laugh together. let’s build together. But let’s not cry together because I’m the definition of an ugly cryer!

I’m starting to expand my brand into more than on-camera work, I want to try podcasting and building my social media presence being I know God had placed more in me!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I had known there was a National Association of Black Journalists prior to jumping into the industry full-time Had I known about this in high school or been college I would have jumped connected with them sooner and probably had a wider support system starting out than I did.

I also wish I wasn’t so scared to ask “Hey are you hiring, I need a job.” Trust me I’m not scared to ask that now.

I am glad that I learned early and quickly that your coworkers can also be your connection to your next industry gig, so be nice and do the best you can in whatever opportunity you are presented with.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being in a community with other broadcasters, and creatives, even meeting and hearing from people who watch you and consume your work.

The brainstorming sessions with other creatives are amazing and on another level! So inspiring!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aarondeane.com/
• Instagram: @TV_Deane
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronDeaneTV
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarondeane1/
• Twitter: @TV_Deane
• Youtube: @aarondeane2248
• Other: TikTok @TV_Deane

Image Credits
For the professional photos credit: Jennifer Hayward Photography Co For the screenshots credit: equalpride/Advocate Channel