Mingling With Media...and Adina Howard

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists (CAABJ) hosted their annual Media Mixer last evening at Tutto Mondo to mark the start of CIAA Week. I may be a bit bias here because I'm president of CAABJ, but the event was a lot of fun and provided a great opportunity for journalists, as well as communications, marketing, and public relations professionals to network and mingle.

I think it's always a good idea to get together with people from your profession. You'll find that you don't spend a whole lot of time talking shop, but instead you converse on the many other things you have in common. I was talking to two colleagues who both work in public relations, one for the Charlotte Chamber and the other for Luquire George Andrews, and as we were catching up, I told them that they weren't allowed to talk about the economy for the night. We laughed about that, but I was somewhat serious because we all should have those nights out where we set our concerns aside.

In attendance were journalists from TV, radio, print, and online--including the names and faces you recognize (Janine Davis, Ramona Holloway, Dedrick Russell, Sarah Aarthun) as well as the behind-the-scenes folks. We should all be getting to know each other better because this media of ours is converging more every day.

There were several people from outside of our respective fields who hung out as well. Many of them came out to enjoy the music and drinks as they got their CIAA partying started early in the week. One of the surprise guests was R&B singer Adina Howard. I happened to be standing near the entrance when she walked in. She introduced herself and gave me a hug. Even though there are going to be tons of celebrities in Charlotte this week for CIAA, my first question to her was, "Do you live in Charlotte?" to which she replied yes. And all the while I'm thinking, "This is 'Freak Like Me' Adina."

Adina Howard and Ty McMath at the CAABJ Media Mixer.

As Howard made her way through the room, introducing herself and giving people hugs, which really does put you at ease, she eventually settled in at a seat at the end of the bar with the friend she'd arrived with, Ty McMath. Later in the evening, I went over and talked to them and the journalist in me probably asked too many questions, but we ended up having a great conversation. Even though she's known for her risqué past hit songs like "Freak Like Me" and "T-Shirt and Panties," she's much more reserved in person. She acknowledges that, saying she lives a boring life. I hope she's not bored because she's in Charlotte. Actually, she said she likes it and she's rather quietly lived here for the past nine years, though she travels often for shows.

She was very personable, offered some interesting perspectives on being 34 and single, and mentioned that she's had people ask her about doing a reality show. If you ask me, she's the perfect recipe for the next I Love...For the Love of... reality dating show on VH1. But she's too sweet for that. She gives hugs.