Former Campus Echo editor hits primetime

It is a long way from N. C. Central University to Los Angeles but NCCU graduate and former Campus Echo editor Wyllisa Bennett has not forgotten her roots.

The University family will be able to see Bennett test knowledge as she participates in an episode of the game show "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. on CMT-69 and at 8 p.m. on WRDC-12 in Durham.

The primetime show quizzes adults in grade-school level trivia regarding art, geography, math and social studies. Fifth grade students give a hand to contestants stumped by questions.

Bennett said she has studied for the show by examining elementary school textbooks from a Los Angeles library and studied mainly geography and science for three weeks. She said she had memorized every state's capital and was confident in her knowledge of United States history.

Bennett works as an entertainment publicist living in Los Angeles and grew up in Burlington, N.C. She attended elementary school at Glenhope Elementary School and Hugh M. Cummings High School in Burlington.

After graduating high school, Bennett attended NCCU and received a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in media journalism.

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Bennett said the motto during her freshman year was "Excellence without excuse, a shared responsibility."

She said she believes in the power of those words and still carries the message with her.

As a senior, Bennett was editor of the Campus Echo during the 1986-87 academic year. She said she was tapped to be editor by one of her English professor Kip Branch, then adviser of the Campus Echo.

 "I was so nervous because I knew I was responsible for being the voice of the students and handling the issues of the day with some level of editorial responsibility," said Bennett.

Bennett said with Branch's encouragement and guidance, they began to rebuild the newspaper's staff.

 "Working on the school newspaper gave me the basic groundwork for my professional career as an award-winning writer, journalist and public relations practitioner," said Bennett.

"The experience gave me a passion for news, a strong work ethic and some practical experience to supplement my studies in media journalism."

Bennett said talent alone will only take a student so far. Talent must be combined with a solid work ethic and together both will take a person far in any profession.

Bennett said she adheres to lessons she learned while working at the Campus Echo including meeting deadlines and checking facts.

Bennett worked as an intern after graduating NCCU at the former Durham Morning Herald, which has since merged into the Durham Herald-Sun. She moved to Charlotte in 1988 where she worked at WCNC-TV 6 doing various duties in the newsroom.

She worked as assistant to the publisher/staff writer and special sections writer of The Charlotte Observer as well as work at Community Pride magazine. Later she worked as director of public relations at Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte.

Bennett would not reveal the show's outcome, but said that it was "good television."

Bennett said a casting director for the show approached her at a red carpet event in Los Angeles and convinced her to audition.

She currently works with a public relations firm named wrb, a boutique firm that handles media relations for businesses and individuals wishing to improve their brand image.

Bennett's clients have included Sheryl Lee Ralph of "Dreamgirls," and "Moesha,", NeNe Leakes of "Real Housewives of Atlanta," and Emmy nominee Victoria Rowell of "The Young and the Restless."

Bennett said students need options during these hard economic times.

"As a public relations and marketing expert, I've always found it more advantageous to be a jack of all trades, and a master of none," said Bennett. "It's better to diversify your talents and do several things well to open many doors of opportunities."

 "For example, entertainers today are not just performing, but they're writing books, designing clothes and shoes and developing projects with other talent, etc," said Bennett.

Bennett calls for all of her fellow Eagles to be fearless and to always be concerned with their image. "Image is everything. Period," she said.

"You should always do something you love … and the money will come," said Bennett. "If you don't have a passion for what you're doing, try something else!"

Bennett said it takes courage and you have to take chances.

"Sometimes, take the road less travelled," said Bennett. "Yes, it's bumpier, but the rewards are well worth it.