A Millennial Woman Making Broad Strides in the News Room
Candace grew up with a tight knit family in Saginaw, Michigan. She credits much of her success to the guidance and protection she received as a teenager. Many who know her would say she was born to be a journalist. She’s kept a journal since she was a child and she’s been writing stories as long as she can remember. Candace is a woman of many talents, but uses humility and strong faith to shine and ascend her way through the broadcast journalism business.
Candace anchors the 6 & 11 o’clock news at WTVR CBS 6 in Richmond, VA, and the DCW50 news at 10PM in Washington, D.C. She’s a graduate of Wichita State University, where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism. Far from one dimensional, Candace was also a scholarship athlete on the Shocker women’s basketball team. During her brief yet progressive career, Candace has won several broadcast journalist awards including an Associate Press award for hard news, and an Emmy nomination. Candace is an active volunteer in the Richmond community, and she is very involved in her church. A strong believer that, with God, all things are possible. Candace is a true professional and shares the highlights and keys to success that we all can apply and relate to. A millennial woman making industry strides in this week’s #ShineHard Conversation.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD. WHAT WAS GROWING UP LIKE FOR YOU?
Candace: I had a really great childhood. Very close knit family. It’s funny, my dad was a police officer so he was really over protective when I was in middle school. He was that dad hiding in the back of the movie theater peeking to make sure everything was OK (laughs). But I love my family. That over protection kept me focused and I didn’t have the distraction of bad relationships.
WHO DID YOU LOOK UP TO AS A KID?
Candace: I think because I had such a close knit family, I looked up to my aunts. They were kind of in my age range and they were really good examples for me. They were in school, they studied, and they what they needed to do to be successful. My grandmother too! She was a missionary when I was growing up and she’s a pastor as well. Anytime before I did anything, I would always think of what she told me and that helped me make good decisions. I appreciate those relationships.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN TELEVISION?
Candace: I didn’t always know that I was going to go into Broadcast Journalism. I remember back to sophmore year in high school, I thought I was going to be a dentist or a model. But then my high school had this program called Auther Hill Network News. I started doing that and we operated as a newscast as much as we could. We would shoot after school events and have a live newscast during homeroom. I was like “I really like this!” Then I went on to enter the broadcast journalism program at Wichita State.
HOW DID YOU END UP IN RICHMOND ON THE CBS NEWS?
Candace: God! I spent the early parts of my career in Michigan but as a journalist you don’t really get to take a whole lot of time off. You have to be at work for Thanksgiving and Christmas, especially when you’re starting out. I intentionally chose jobs close to home, but when my contract was up I wanted to see what else was out there and I invested in an agent. My agent got in contact with CBS 6 who needed an anchor and it just worked out!
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE TO DAY-TO-DAY LIFE OF A NEWS ANCHOR?
Candace: Hectic! Every single day. I go in at 2:30 and I leave a midnight. I also have a the DC-W News at 10’o clock. We have our editorial meetings where we pitch stories, then I’ll go up and anchor the 6’o clock news. Following that we’ll create teasers to get people to watch the 10’o clock & 11’o clock news. One misconception is that it’s all primp and glamour, but when you’re starting out, you’re doing your own hair, your own make up and buying your own cloths. Going into every day I just prepare for the challenge and enjoy the journey.
WHAT IS YOUR PASSION AND WHEN DID YOU KNOW?
Candace: I look for what makes me happy. What I could do for hours without looking at my watch. With my job I love being able to give back. I’m able to be the voice of people who otherwise may not have a chance to be heard. Personally, I love being with my family so spending time with loved ones is one of my passions. Faith! Learning spiritually. Being balanced in life. And lastly I would say fitness because I could stay in the gym for hours if I had the opportunities.
WHATS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR CAREER THUS FAR?
Candace: Well there are lots of challenges, but I feel like the biggest challenge is mental. Always mental. Because really, you are your biggest hurdle, your biggest obstacle. It all starts in the mind. A challenge for me has been remembering that “I am good enough! I can do this!” If you can focus in and control your thoughts, there aren’t many things you cant do!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO SUCCEED?
Candace: Faith! I know that God has soo much in store for me and that just keeps me going. I can’t get comfortable, I can’t get content because I know there’s more. Also, I am so inspired when I see millennials doing amazing things. It’s like, “hey I can do it too!” It’s so inspirational.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE 3 FACTORS BEHIND YOUR SUCCESS?
Candace: Faith of course. Persistence because I realize that the ones who get it are the ones that don’t quit. Third, staying humble. I didn’t get here all on my own. Yes I’m talented but there are many people that mentored me and people who helped me get to where I am today.
THERE’S A LOT GOING ON IN 2016 WITH OUR GENERATION, WHAT FRUSTRATES YOU THE MOST ABOUT TODAY’S CULTURE?
Candace: People are judgmental. You don’t know what people are going through or why they do what they do. Either side good or bad, especially me as a reporter, it’s not up to me to judge that person. It’s my job to tell that story. Even when we share things online, you would never believe how judgmental people can be. I just wish there was more love and compassion in the world!
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BREAKTHROUGH INTO THE NEWS INDUSTRY?
Candace: I urge young people to get involved with the National Association of Black Journalists. I encourage you to get mentors and watch the news and read about what’s happening! Be active on social media but be very cautious about what you post on your social media, because as a news journalist you can’t be overly opinionated. Stay consistent, stay current, and believe in yourself!
Interested in learning more or connecting with Candace?
Instagram: @CandaceBurns_TV
Email: CandaceBurns07@aol.com