Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Nicholas Samuel of Vero Beach

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nicholas Samuel. Check out our conversation below.

Nicholas, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Going to the beach and listening to the calming sound of waves crashing against the shore makes me forget about all of the noise around me. Being in nature, close to nature, reminds me that the world is bigger than all of us.

I’m also a major space-nerd. So, at night, I travel to the beach, pull out my cellphone and use one of the star gazing apps to view all of the constellations, along with stars millions of miles away and even planets in the night sky. It’s simply amazing.

This makes me wonder about all the possibilities. Will humans go back to the moon? Will mankind ever reach the red planet? And just what it will take for us as a species to go from one planet to another.

This leaves me feeling inspired.

When I’m not checking out a Picasso exhibit with friends at our local museum or cooking at home, I volunteer.

Volunteering in the community, including organizing trash pickups, teaching children to read or working with a museum board, also helps me lose track of time. Being of service to others helps me take the focus off of myself and on the mission. Serving others reminds me that the world is so much bigger than myself.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nick Samuel and I’m a breaking news reporter for VeroNews, based in Vero Beach, Florida. Working for VeroNews, a digital newspaper, I have learned the intricacies of criminal justice by reporting on crime stories, then writing follow ups when the cases reach the court system. Listening is key.

Crime is the primary beat I cover. I’ve written stories on fatal shootings, stabbings, even the 2016 Pulse Night Club Massacre in Orlando. And since this is Florida, weather is also a major part of my coverage, from heat waves to tropical storms. In October 2024, I wrote a series of stories on the deadly tornado outbreak caused by Hurricane Milton that swept across the Treasure Coast.

Writing about the nation’s space program is the beat that brings me the most excitement. Working about an hour south of the Kennedy Space Center, I have been able to cover SpaceX launches onsite and even got to interview Astronaut Victor Glover during a live Q&A session with the media while he was aboard the International Space Station. That was exciting!

Also, being a history buff, another passion of mine is uncovering hidden Black gems and stories in the local community. I’ve written a collection of stories highlighting life in Gifford, a predominantly Black community that’s seen its share of changes. As a writer, I’ve been able to showcase unique stories, talking with older generations about living in Old Florida. I’ve also showcased the emerging community with pieces on places like Zafem, a Haitian eatery based in Vero Beach.

Zafem is a family-owned business. Once inside the restaurant, patrons will feel like they are in a museum. There are paintings on the wall that depict the lifestyle and culture of Haiti.

Dining at Zafem is a way to connect with another culture and build bridges. Visitors to Zafem loved the restaurant so much that we helped plan an onsite community celebration of Haitian Independence Day on Jan. 1.

I also sit on two boards: The Indian River County Historical Society and the Laura Riding Jackson Foundation. I help organize history events with the historical society and poetry/writing events with the Laura Riding Jackson Foundation.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I started penning poems and stories when I was a boy in elementary school in Chicago, which has a major connection to the arts. I knew then that it was a talent because I stared and saw that the words I was crafting caught the attention of everyone in the classroom.

Writing was a way for me to escape to another world. As I got older, I realized the power that written words have and how impactful they could be. Speaking ideals, narratives of love and loss can make a positive impression on listeners.

My favorite poets include activist and Harlem Renaissance icon Langston Hughes, along with Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say it’s okay to be yourself. Throughout life, people sometimes get carried away and form facades to try and fit in with the crowd.

But, what makes a person unique is their own style…their own vibe, even if it’s different from the norm or the mainstream. Staying true to yourself will help you avoid unnecessary drama. Fake friends will come, go and disappear, but your true friends will accept the real you. And that is rewarding.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire my mentor J.D. Gallop because of his calm but strong demeanor. Jeff – that’s his name – is a veteran journalist for Florida Today, the news organization on the Space Coast. He has taken me under his wing and not only guided me throughout my career, but also given me life advice.

J.D. is unassuming and is always ready to lend a helping hand. J.D. is heavily involved in his own community in Brevard, one county north of Vero. His organization, The Little Black Book Drive, which he runs with his wife Rolanda, regularly gives out free books on Black history, STEM and more to youth organizations.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope to be remembered as a journalist who wrote passionately about local historic figures and as someone who just wanted to get the story out. I also hope people remember that I was a kind person who listened to everybody, tried to right my wrongs and did my best to treat everyone with fairness. After all, that’s why we’re here.
What more can I say?

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ernie Grier, Jeff Gallop

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