Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyson Jackson.
Hi Allyson, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I remember growing up knowing that my voice was powerful and what I had to say mattered. I was never afraid to speak up, perform, or take the lead when given the chance. Whether I was in front of a crowd or a classroom, I always felt confident expressing myself. My mom always encouraged me to follow my dreams, and she allowed me to take part in many activities like music, acting, and singing camps such as Broadway Camp at the Peace Center. I took piano lessons after school and was in Girl Scouts. Through my family and church family, I was given opportunities to participate in many things. These included church plays, being mistress of ceremonies, leading songs in the youth choir, saying Easter speeches, and leading church services.
In middle school, I was chosen as the lead anchor for *Bulldog Growl* at Berea Middle, which jumpstarted my interest in broadcasting. I loved being on camera and connecting with people. One of my fondest memories was the time I wore a green shirt while filming, forgetting we were using a green screen. When the show aired, I appeared as a floating bobblehead on screen. For a while, I was known as “the floating head girl” on TV—and I owned it! In high school, I was encouraged to participate in everything because high school years fly by, and I wanted to make the best of it. I was given the opportunity to read morning announcements, run for student council representative, and be a part of the honor society. I joined the marching band, then drama club, and participated in many theater competitions and acting opportunities outside of school. I later realized I wanted to move on from acting and pursue a career in media.
I attended Lander University and earned a degree in Mass Media and Communications as well as a second degree in Spanish. I also got the opportunity to study abroad in Cuba and Spain. Learning Spanish has made me able to communicate abroad and connect with a wider range of people. I hope to enhance my Spanish even more so I can give Spanish interviews in the future.
While at Lander, I was given a chance to shine. I started by interviewing students on campus, joined XLR Radio where I hosted Morning Show with Ally, worked on LUX Bearcat Buzz, and got involved in the Audio Drama Club. These experiences helped me grow my skills and led me to create my podcasts Tea Talk with Ally and CRAQT, which I co-hosted with my friends. These projects helped me discover my true passion for creating content and connecting with others.
After graduation, I wanted to continue Tea Talk with Ally but in a less stressful way. I didn’t want to worry about constantly scheduling interviews, so I created Talk with Ally, where I interview strangers on the street.
In Fall 2025, I’ll be attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia for my master’s in Multimedia Journalism. I’m excited to keep sharpening my skills, expanding my network, and preparing for the next big opportunity. My dream job is to interview celebrities on the red carpet or travel to different countries and broadcast major events. I believe this is only the beginning, and I’m trusting the journey ahead with faith, passion, and purpose.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has been worthwhile, but I have faced a few roadblocks along the way. One of the biggest challenges was financial hardship. Finding scholarship money to pay for school wasn’t easy, and I often had to sacrifice spending on leisure and fun just to make sure my needs were met. I worked a part-time job while juggling my classwork, which sometimes felt overwhelming. On top of that, taking classes at different times of the day made it difficult to build a consistent routine or spend time with friends. I also struggled with finding people I could truly connect with and spend quality time with during my free moments. Most of the time, I was hanging out by myself, which got lonely. I still have not met my lifelong friend yet, but I am hopeful. However, Lander University provided valuable resources, including supportive professors and peers who encouraged me every step of the way. My internship at SCETV was a turning point, giving me hands-on experience in communications and digital media and helping me gain professional insight. Still, there were moments when I struggled, especially when I did not see immediate progress. I lacked consistency, often due to low motivation and trying to manage everything on my own. I have realized how helpful it would be to have a team to collaborate with on social media, like many content creators do, to stay consistent, inspired, and uplifted through the process.
Looking back, I know that the path I took was necessary, even when it wasn’t easy. Some people say college isn’t worth it, but for me, it truly was. Going to college gave me the opportunity to learn, grow, and gain experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Getting involved in clubs, organizations, and building a network made all the difference. I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without those experiences shaping and supporting my journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What do I do? I am a content creator who specializes in producing digital content for social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat. I am best known as the creator of Talk with Ally, a spinoff of my original podcast Tea Talk with Ally, which I started in college. After graduation, I transitioned from studio interviews to spontaneous street interviews with strangers. My internship at Hunch Studios, a gaming company in New York founded by Peter Levin and Javier Quionez, has enhanced my interview style and helped me create more engaging content. What sets me apart is my authenticity and bubbly personality. I keep my content PG-13 and true to who I am, which makes people feel comfortable and excited to participate.
I am incredibly proud to have graduated with two degrees, in Mass Media and Communications and Spanish, and to have graduated with honors. I’ve had the opportunity to study abroad in both Cuba and Spain and hope to continue traveling. I have been accepted into graduate school at the University of South Carolina to pursue my dream career in multimedia journalism, and I recently reached 10,000 followers on my personal Instagram account. Being featured in SouthCarolinaVoyager is another exciting milestone and a reminder that my hard work is being recognized and appreciated.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about our city is its diversity. Greenville is truly the melting pot of South Carolina, where you can meet people from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This diversity is reflected in the local businesses, restaurants, and events. From Jamaican and Greek food spots to Italian restaurants and international markets, Greenville offers a taste of many cultures. I also love that the city is constantly growing and evolving. It is starting to feel like a mini-Charlotte. People often say there’s not much to do here, but I disagree. There is a lot to explore. You just have to know where to look.
What I like least about Greenville is that there are not as many opportunities for people who are interested in content creation or entertainment compared to larger cities. It can be challenging to find networking events or communities that connect content creators and entertainers. I wish there were more local spaces dedicated to collaboration, media production, and creative growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/allysonjackson
