Kristal Brent Zook

Dr. Zook is a woman who has helped me grow from student, to graduate, and now, to a prominent position at a national magazine. She is more than a professor to me but a mentor, someone I have continually reached out to for guidance during my evolving career…Currently, as the assistant to the creative director at O, The Oprah Magazine, I still find myself recognizing techniques and applications taught and reaffirmed by Dr. Zook.

Thanks for giving me the confidence not to quit on this. It’s actually led to other writing opportunities and talks

I recently finished Black Women’s Lives…All of the women had truly dynamic stories, and I like the way you were able to let the subjects and their circumstances really shine through. Even when you were walking with them, I’ll be honest I forgot you were even there. I envisioned these stories as if they happened right next door to me.

I stumbled upon your book [I See Black People: The Rise and Fall of African American-Owned Television and Radio] a few weeks ago, and it serves as a prime tool in my research efforts. My goal is to help bring forth a more positive and balanced image of African Americans in the media. I thank you for already being a change agent in the field!

Professor Zook challenged us all to reach the level we were capable of…The time she took after class each day to call myself or another student over and really urge us to take that next step towards reaching our potential made a world of a difference.

I have not come across a professor who puts so much of herself into the class and the university. Not just for class-related matters, but as an advisor, as a link to the world of Journalism, and as an inspiration for future journalists.

Kristal has a good ear, a calm manner, and high expectations. She knows exactly what works on the page and why.

What distinguished Professor Zook from my other professors was the investment in her personal time she made with me. Even after I was no longer her student she reached out to offer me help and guidance…Now I’m working part-time at NBC and as a staff writer for an online magazine. I am truly grateful she was there for me during such critical years of my life when someone my age is trying to find themselves.

Upon reading her article I heard the echo of my own voice calling beyond the wilderness…Zook acknowledges the necessity for introspection about our individual [and] collective needs, as women within a patriarchal society in general and as women of color in particular.

We value her commitment to taking on even the most difficult stories in the interest of serious journalism.

Kristal is one of the best journalists in the business. I have hired her a number of times to write articles for ESSENCE. Each time she delivered. The stories are always well-reported, beautifully crafted and well-received. Kristal has an eye for good stories and spends time making sure her articles are factual. Like most talented journalists, Kristal is a pro who takes good direction from her editors.

Your workshop was one of the most engaging and interactive…an informative analysis!

Kristal is blessed with genuine intellectual curiosity, along with the instincts and drive of an old-fashioned reporter. Both her and her work are truly special.

Kristal Brent Zook is a brilliant, creative thinker … She was able to answer more questions than I knew I had about transitioning from academic to trade publishing. Thank you for the invaluable faculty workshop!

I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. It introduced me to the process of writing for a larger audience. The concepts, though not necessary new, were framed in such a way by Kristal to really push me to seize on and tell important stories. The targeted and clear hand-outs provided excellent guidance and the activities really scaffolded the editorial writing process. I already recommended to my chair that Kristal come and talk to the SOE! We need her to help us get our voices heard!

An informative and engaging workshop [that] sparked a nuanced dialogue with students around race, gender, class and journalism.

I love to see great teaching, and Dr. Zook has the expertise and enthusiasm of a great teacher….not only did I benefit, but my students did as well.

I actually met you a couple of weeks ago in K-Mart. I had stopped you to tell you how much I loved your book Black Women’s Lives. I appreciate writers like yourself because you are informing us about us….I grew up in a small area in Virginia and not many people have heard of it. We all deal with important issues but the majority of us only hear about the mainstream organizations or people; so it was very interesting to read about different black women and their beliefs or struggles. I picked up your book and I couldn’t put it down so I had to buy it. I just want to say thank you for writing…it meant a lot to me.

Professor Zook herself played a key role in my success. She guided me through my internship at Forbes, she offered me wonderful learning opportunities as her research assistant, and she challenged me as her student in the classroom. She has not only mentored me throughout my three semesters here as my advisor, professor and supervisor – but she has acted as a role model to me and my peers.

My first article about The Hispanic Initiative was picked up by Long Island Wins. The online editor emailed me asking if I want to do freelance work for them. This is probably my first ounce of recognition as a writer, so I’m thrilled. You motivate us to seek stories and get them out there. Without you, I probably wouldn’t have done it. I just wanted to say thank you!

Many thanks for your excellent seminar yesterday. It was informative, stimulating, insightful and even fun. Without being overwhelming, it revealed a wealth of information and some critical perspective on writing for a wide audience.

Dr. Zook’s From Ivory Tower to Breaking News workshop offered me practical tips in getting my voice heard and my future Op-Ed works considered in nationally recognized publications. I am confident that the tools of the trade discussed in this workshop will enable me to translate my research into mainstream markets.

I wanted to thank you first and foremost for this entire semester. I never felt so accomplished in any other class. You pushed me to do my best, and I am forever grateful for that.

Thank you for writing the book Black Women’s Lives and sharing the stories of these phenomenal women with us. This book opened my eyes…Although I am African-Canadian, I identified with so many of the women.