Meet Mani Monroe

We were lucky to catch up with Mani Monroe recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mani , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I’ve put in the work, paid the dues, probably did three people’s jobs at once and STILL got overlooked more times than you can count. That résumé? That portfolio? That lived experience? Baby, it’s real. I didn’t just “get lucky,” I got qualified. Owned it. I had to realize that I didn’t stumble into the room, God placed me there! Once I reframed my thought process, the fear flipped from am I supposed to be here to “I built the damn door and walked through it in heels! You have to rewrite the narrative. Realize that you don’t have to sound like them, dress like them, or hustle like them to be valid. You bring flavor, culture, excellence, and that extra sauce that can’t be taught. The fact that you stand out is your superpower, not your downfall. Its in the playbook to fake it till you make it like literally everyone does it that’s the gag. Overall, surround yourself with “Real Ones” keep a circle of folks who gas you up AND keep you grounded. The kind that remind you who the hell you are on the days you forget. Every time I feel that imposter voice creeping in, I stop and say:
“That’s not truth, that’s trauma.” I even say it out loud if I have to. The world hasn’t always made space for Black women to shine unapologetically but now that I’m here, they better get ready to.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

At 35, my journey as a journalist feels more intentional than ever. I’ve spent years learning the craft chasing leads, rewriting drafts late into the night, and finding my voice in an industry that doesn’t always make space for women who look like me. But now, I walk with clarity. I’ve earned my place, not just because of the work I’ve done, but because of the perspective I bring. I’m no longer questioning whether I belong in the room, I know I do! I’ve been through a lot in my life, growing up poor in St. Louis and moving to Atlanta at 25 to seek a change in scenery. My experience allows me to approach stories with depth, empathy, and a certain sharpness that only comes from time in the field. I tell stories that matter especially those that reflect the culture, the truth, and the voices that too often go unheard.

It’s not about being loud or proving myself anymore. It’s about being present, being prepared, and being real. I carry myself with pride in what I’ve built and still stay open to learning more. I know the power of storytelling, and I treat it with respect because now, I’m not just building a career… I’m building a legacy.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Honestly, I think the three most important qualities for any good journalist are strong research, clear storytelling, and having a solid sense of ethics and cultural awareness. First, research and critical thinking are everything. Anybody can grab a headline off of social media, but real journalism means digging deeper verifying facts, questioning sources, and knowing what’s missing from the story. Especially now, when everyone wants to be first instead of being right, it matters more than ever.
Second, it’s all about storytelling. Whether I’m writing an article, producing a segment, or creating content for social I know it has to connect. The tone, the emotion, the impact that’s what draws people in and keeps them engaged. A good story doesn’t just inform, it resonates. And lastly, I really value ethics and cultural awareness. As a Black woman in media, I know how powerful narratives can be and how harmful they can become if we’re not intentional. So I try to always be mindful of bias, represent communities fairly, and tell the whole story, not just the most clickable parts.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

My mom has always made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted to do in life. My upbringing was not the best and typically In poor conditions there’s a lot of negativity and discouragement. My mom made sure I knew how special I was and how id impact the world. I’m so blessed to have her as a mom and I don’t know where I’d be without her.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Mani_monroe
• Facebook: Mani Monroe
• Youtube: ManiMonroe01
• Other: TikTok: ManiMonroeee

Image Credits

Photos by @itsyestaylor and write ups by me