Roderick Hawkins
BA in Mass Communication, Louisiana State University
Area(s) of Interest:
Music, TV/film, Visual arts, Fine arts, Performing arts, Theatre, Dance, Arts/music festivals, Nonprofit work, PR/Marketing
Experience:
On the academic side: Co-producing a documentary about the Fisk University Jubilee Singers. On the extracurricular side: singing onstage with soprano Kathleen Battle
Ideal Job in 10 Years:
CEO or senior executive of a major cultural organization in Chicago or another large market.
What led you to enroll in the MSLCE program at Northwestern?
This program has the courses and mentoring I believe will serve me well as I continue to build my career.
If you could have lunch with one person (living or dead), who would it be?
My mother. She was only 69 when she died in December 2020. Although we were very close, I would love to have more conversations with her about her life and journey.
Which leader or influential figure inspires you the most and why?
Bayard Rustin. In a time where we ostracized for being openly gay, Rustin was an influential leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He was the architect of the 1963 March on Washington. He was nearly erased from history but has been reclaimed. He inspires me because he’s a reminder of what is possible when we bring our authentic selves to whatever we do.
Where are you from?
Chicago, IL