Samantha Thomas is an Emmy winning journalist, entertainment/lifestyle correspondent and radio/social personality.
The Chicago native and cultural enthusiast started her media career as a director, and television news producer for several local news markets across the U.S., including Missouri (CBS), Las Vegas (ABC, FOX and CBS), and Chicago (CBS and WGN).
During her career as a TV news producer, Samantha received an Emmy Award and shortly afterwards created her own media lane. In 2014, she started the initial concept of her web series, SmallTALK With Samantha. It launched officially in 2015 with a series of episodes highlighting Chicago influencers and Chicago dining.
Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicago’s oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. She’s the host of the evening show airing Monday-Thursday from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., where she invites listeners and viewers on social media to simply, “TALK to Samantha.”
N’DIGO recently caught up with Samantha to chat about her Chicago roots, why she chose to attend an HBCU, how she got into journalism, her go to fashion choices, and, of course, her new job at WVON 1690AM.
N’DIGO: Who is Samantha Thomas?
Samantha Thomas: Samantha Thomas is a Chicago native who loves culture, creativity, gathering knowledge, and great laughs on occasion. I’m also a daughter, sister, and friend with a kind heart.
Where were you born? And describe your childhood growing up.
I was born and raised in Chicago. I’m the oldest of three, with a younger brother and sister. My mother instilled education in all of us, and made it a priority for us growing up. She also kept us involved in extracurricular activities like summer camps, after-school programs, and church. My family is pretty close. My grandmother is a major force in keeping our family together. To this day, we still believe in gathering for family dinners.
Why did you attend college away from Chicago?
I always knew I wanted to attend college away from home. I would watch shows like A Different World and movies like School Daze, and would get excited each time I watched. I loved the way “college life” looked, and knew I wanted to get that feeling. That feeling was one that I knew an HBCU would give me. Not attending immediately after graduation increased my desire to go away. I waited two years to attend, but the wait was just what I needed. It turned out to be perfect timing.
Why journalism? Were you influenced by anyone?
I’ve always loved watching TV, and would impersonate Oprah and other talk show hosts with my baby dolls as an audience. I’d have a pretend radio station using my stepfather’s records as my music (I named my station WSMT – the SMT are my initials).
But originally, journalism wasn’t my major. When I arrived at Lincoln University of Missouri in Fall of 2000, I majored in computer information systems. I did this because I thought it would make me “money.” My professor at the time said to me one day, “Samantha you’re not doing well on the tests, but you’re an amazing speaker; have you ever thought about journalism?” I changed my major the next week.
You’re such a fashionista! Who did you inherit your style from? Why not a career in fashion?
I just really love clothes. I would watch my mother, grandmother and aunts get dressed all the time when they would go out, or just on a regular basis. My father likes to dress a lot, so I would see him being put together at times.
My grandmother and mother dressed so jazzy, and so did their friends. So I would watch and learn about being put together and neat. I would often love to put on my mom’s high-heel shoes, and prance around the house. Funny story, my mother said that at around four years old, I would cry because I didn’t want to wear pants, and that I only wanted to wear dresses, lol!
I honestly never thought about a career in fashion, but can always be found putting together clothes to wear. Clothes are just an outward expression of my classy, comfy and cool personality. I can wear a T-shirt and jeans, and some stilettos and a dress, and love both outfits because I’m always adding my personality to the mix. I still LOVE to wear dresses by the way!
Have you always been comfortable talking to people?
Actually, yes. I was never really shy. I would practice with an audience of my dolls, and I would strike up conversations with people when I got the chance. I would sometimes get in trouble in grammar school for talking. I now call that the early preparation of Samantha, lol!
With the introduction of social media, how has it enhanced your job?
Social media is the wave. I jumped on that wave early in the game, although I didn’t understand how effective and cool it would be for my job. Now it’s become second nature. Being able to get the factual information quickly and distribute it just as fast is important in this day and age.
So how did you come up with the concept of reviewing restaurants while interviewing interesting people?
I produced the show Chicago’s Best on WGN-TV. It’s currently still being broadcast. Producing on that show was my break from producing tv news, and an introduction to the restaurant scene. Once that job ended for me, I knew I had to be creative and innovative.
While working behind the scenes, I discovered that I was a not only a producer, but that I could talk to people, and keep their interest. So I married my love of talking, food, and TV news and in 2014 came up with the concept of SmallTALK. The idea was that, “The People are as interesting as the Plates.”
What is the key to successful communication?
I think listening is key when it comes to communication. If you only hear someone, but you’re not listening to them, it’s like null and void communication.
Has your work ethic ever been tested? How did you handle it?
Yes, my work ethic has been tested. Not everyone is pleasant to deal with all of the time. Working with different people, you sometimes come across personalities that are less than favorable. What I’ve done is always remember who I am and where I plan to go. No one can stop you, but you. So I counteract negative energy when I’m faced with it, with some positive energy.
Do you work well under pressure?
Some of my best work has been done under pressure. Part of that comes from working in TV news, especially during breaking news times. We had to get it done, and get it done efficiently fast. It can scare people sometimes because it may seem like you’re waiting until the last minute. It’s just the opposite in my mind, though.
Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
I think I’ve progressed well in my career. I can always think of things that I could have done differently. But I believe I’m right where God wants me to be. And to be back home in Chicago is definitely a plus. I love it here, and I love being from here!
Congratulations on your new job! How did you get involved with WVON 1690AM?
Thank you! WVON 1690AM/ iHeartRadio is a staple in the Chicago media community. It’s Chicago’s urban legacy station and for more than 50 years, WVON has been positioned as a media powerhouse, so I’ve always known of the station. I, however, never thought about going into radio. I knew that I had more experience in television, so I operated in that vision.
However, the gift of speaking was always within me, and it was noticed by Melody Spann-Cooper, the owner of WVON 1690AM, in 2019. After being the emcee at an event where she and other professionals were honored, I networked and kept in touch with many in attendance. Again, I never thought that I could actually do radio, but I was given a chance. I began filling in as needed as the traffic/weather and news anchor, and things took off from there.
How does this position fit into your career plans?
It allows me to expand and grow as a person and a personality. Being multifaceted in the media industry, or any field for that matter, is important, especially during this time.
What have you been able to bring to the late night talk format that will set you apart from others?
Samantha’s flair for not having interviews, but conversations.
What has been your proudest achievement? What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from that?
A few of my proudest achievements? I’m one of the first of my family to graduate from a university, and getting an Emmy Award before I turned 30 years old. I’ve had many disappointments, but I learn everyday, so I won’t say that I’ve failed, only learned lessons.
How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?
By continuing to push myself beyond comfort zones. I don’t do well being complacent, so hopefully this will be a great goal to push toward.
What do you do in your spare time? What time of day are you most creative?
I really like to read, and just chill especially when I have the time. I also like to write. I keep a notepad and pen near me at all times because I’m always thinking of ideas, and if I don’t write them down, I’ll forget. I have a never-ending creative mind, but I’ve found that I’m most creative in the evening. But I’m more efficient during the day. Needless to say, I’m creative all day!
In this crazy yet serious world of COVID-19, how do you stay sane and grounded?
Just making sure that I keep myself safe. You’re responsible for you, so I keep that in mind daily. And I keep a cute and safe standard face mask handy.
What celebrity would you love to interview?
Oprah! I’m smiling as I answer this.
What kind of music do you like?
I love all types of music. R&B is a top favorite. Artists like Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu are a few of my favorites. My Apple Music playlist is filled with all types though, like gospel (because I’ve gotta be inspired), R&B (because I like to chill), and even some trap music (because I like to turn-up…in a classy way, of course).
Who is your favorite artist and why?
Mary J. Blige. She sings from her soul, and we’ve listened to her be very transparent in her lyrics. Take Me As I Am is a favorite song of mine. She’s also had a long-standing career, and I think it’s partly because she’s so real.
If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
If I had a superpower it would probably be telepathy. I want to know what people are thinking sometimes. Only sometimes, lol!
What is your favorite book? Favorite quote or affirmation?
One of my favorite books is: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz,
My favorite quote/affirmation/scripture is: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney
“Give it to God.” – My Mom
She must be a lesbian…no mention of a man at all in her life