SB Nation Contributor, Diamond Holton

By: Diamond Holton

Diamond is a guest blogger that submitted this article to Sports As a Job

Diamond Holton standing with the WNBA Championship Trophy

This would be the best time to quote the GOAT, Michael Jordan, himself: "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." I felt this defined my time and journey throughout being in the industry since college. Attending Prince George's Community College and also Salisbury University helped mold me into the sports writer I am today. The joy of writing my first feature article and seeing it in print made me feel so accomplished. I knew I never wanted that feeling to go away. Remaining humble and steadfast, my journey eventually continued into the professional world.

Salisbury was where I was able to get more in-depth action in the journalism world using what I gained in class and applying it all when I covered college sports. In that time, I was able to report on women's sports such as basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, field hockey, softball, and rugby. Taking all of what I learned into the real-world, I was able to move onto professional sports covering the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, and even the Washington Valor in the arena football league. Two of those teams (Wizards and Mystics) I work with via SB Nation's Bullets Forever site. Working with Bullets Forever has allowed my skills to develop in more than just writing. Using video  and social media has helped expand more than just a career, but also a host of friends who I've come to call my media family.

The memories that have come about are too many to have just one simple good one. Some were memories solely by myself and others were with my new-found media family. My first best memory was in March 2017 when I covered my favorite basketball team, Washington Wizards, for the first time. The thrill of being able to be a fan and reporter all at the same time was too surreal. It's one thing to watch post-interviews on TV, but it's another when you're the one asking the questions to players such as Bradley Beal and John Wall. But the all-time best memory came in 2019 watching live as the Washington Mystics won the 2019 WNBA Finals. It was my third year reporting on the Mystics, my second time covering the playoffs and WNBA Finals. I was there for it all. It was an experience many would dream to do. Being on the floor of the court as the confetti came down and taking photos with the actual WNBA Championship Trophy basically solidified being in the industry. Just the feels and emotions all rushing together was a moment in life I wish I could rewind and go back to.

Who've I've met along the way included players and coaches, but none could compare to meeting my idol Jemele Hill. Having watched her for years even before I knew this was the career I wanted to be in, it was amazing to finally meet her and just thank her for all she's done for and in the industry. At a women's empowerment summit in 2018 is when I met Jemele Hill and the knowledge and insight gained has been instilled in my very core. Speaking your truth and being yourself can lead to being successful as well as jumping into different things that aren't common for you. One big piece of advice I took from Jemele was the fact of trying new areas or different states to live and have a career. Many choose areas or only block out certain areas that are well-populated to go out and make it. I've personally always believed being in D.C., where I currently live, or moving to New York or California was the best thing and way to become a great sports writer. After listening to Jemele, I knew that wasn't it and I needed to find my own calling and learn to be uncomfortable at times.

It's only been four good trying and learning years, but even at the age of 28, there's so much I can still gather as time goes on and I get older. But overall, I know a journey can never begin without a single first step.



Diamond Holton
SB Nation Contributor (@BulletsForever)
Twitter: @_PensAndWords_