EDUCATION/CAREER TRACK: Howard University, journalism and political science.

MOST UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE ON THE JOB: Being punched in the stomach on the porch of a murder suspect's home in Kansas City.

SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: Was once the lead singer in a Chicago gospel quartet.

IF I HAD TWO SPARE HOURS, I WOULD: Play poker in the Wrigley Field bleachers during a Cubs game.

THE SECRET TO A GOOD NEWS COLUMN IS: One part news. One part yourself.