LIVING THE LIFE : Chaz Kyser

Written by Empress Magazine /// Find in Interviews

Chaz Kyser is a journalism instructor/newspaper advisor at Langston University. She is also the author of Embracing the Real World: The Black Woman's Guide to Life After College. This career guide was created for Black women making the transition from college to the professional workforce, and has been nationally praised, most recently by Tyra Banks. She lectures throughout the country on topics relevant to college students and recent graduates of all ethnicities. Empress had the opportunity to interview Chaz, check out what she had to say about life, careers and doing what you love.

Empress: How did you get to become Managing Editor at age 21?

Chaz: I was able to start managing a paper at such a young age because I consciously put myself in a position to do so. I knew that I wanted to go into journalism/ publishing as early as high school. At 16, my senior year, I started out as an intern for the company that owned the paper I would one day manage so that I could learn about all aspects of the newspaper business, which I was able to do because I worked for a small, black-owned newspaper in which the owners treated my like a god-daughter and really wanted to help me succeed. 

I busted my butt while working for them, always doing more than what I was expected and I showed a great deal of enthusiasm. Because of this, when I graduated from college in May 2000, they felt that even though I was young, I would be capable of managing one of their papers, which was in Houston.

Empress: Did you always want to become a writer?

Chaz: Well, the first job I ever said I wanted was as a cashier at a store called Pic & Save because they had so many cool items and the cashiers were friendly. That was when I was five. Luckily, my vision expanded and I set my sights a little higher! I think I knew that I wanted a career that revolved around writing/publishing when I was in high school. I ended up being the school's newspaper editor and loved it. The funny thing is that I prefer editing other's work to writing because I love reading and helping to polish people's work. This is one of the reasons I enjoy working as a college journalism instructor. 

Empress: What motivates you? How do you stay focused?

Chaz: The knowledge that I only have one life motivates me. I want to have very few regrets in my old age and I think it is very important for me to be as ambitious and successful as I possibly can. 

I am a naturally focused person who can have an idea in one hour and a plan laid out to make that idea into a reality the next. But sometimes I do get distracted by the everyday nonsense in life, and when that happens I have people like my father to help keep me focused on the bigger picture.

Empress: What are some of your future projects and endeavors?

Chaz: I plan on pursuing my Phd in journalism so I will be even more marketable as far as academia and me wanting to be a professor is concerned. Teaching gives me a lot of freedom to do other things I enjoy, such as travel and write/edit books. My next book project will probably be an anthology for college students of all ethnicities. It will feature essays by notable and relatively unknown successful people about how to navigate one's lives after college,

Empress: How did Tyra banks pick you as an honoree for Black History Month spotlight?

Chaz: Her producers heard about me and my book through word of mouth. I was so thrilled to be chosen by Tyra Banks as one of four Black women making Black history. There are so many other talented, ambitious Black women in America and for her to honor me in the way she did was such an honor and a blessing.

Empress: What is the most important thing a person graduating college should know?

Chaz: Don't be afraid to take risks, especially if you are unmarried and don't have children. Now is not the time to play it safe. You don't want to look back on your life when you are elderly and regret not doing the things you felt would really enrich your life and make you happy.

Empress: What does the word Empress mean to you?

Chaz: I picture a person who sees herself as an Empress as one who feels totally control of her life and future. A woman who is ambitious, industrious, and has a certain good energy/aura about her. Also, an Empress would command respect, be it through her mere presence in a room or the positive, powerful, proactive words that emanate from her mouth. 

Make sure to check out on www.embracingtherealworld.com where you can learn more about Chaz and purchase her book Embracing the Real World: The Black Woman’s Guide to Life After College.

Do you have a question for Chaz Kyser? Email her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .