If you Google “Mesline Fekadu” on the internet, you are graced with a long, long list of articles he has written as a journalist over the last 14 years. The range of his writings on arts and sports celebrities and public figures like President Barack Obama will blow your mind!
We were alerted to Fekadu’s prominence as a journalist by Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, N.J. because they list him as coming from Southwest Philadelphia. Fekadu is a graduate of the University from the Class of 2008, and he will be presented with the Rising Star Award on May 6 as part of their annual “Hearts and Minds” program.
Fekadu currently works as a writer in Netflix’s communications department. After graduating from Saint Peter’s in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication, he began working as an entertainment writer and video producer at The Associated Press. During his 13-year tenure, he interviewed celebrities such as Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, Oprah Winfrey, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Regina King, Rihanna, Dave Chappelle, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen.
Fekadu covered 11 Grammy Awards, five Super Bowls, and both inaugurations of former U.S. President Barack Obama. He is on the board of the Society for Features Journalism and is the recipient of three Los Angeles Press Club Awards and a New York Press Club Award.
At Saint Peter’s, Fekadu was involved in the student newspaper and student senate. He also worked in the Office of Annual Giving, which led to his first internship at MSNBC, followed by internships at MTV News, Sony Music, and Showtime Networks.
“Each year the Hearts & Minds celebration helps to put a quality, Jesuit education in reach for deserving students, which has been a commitment of Saint Peter’s over the course of our 150-year history,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University. “The University community looks forward to paying tribute to this year’s honorees who value and exemplify the power of the Saint Peter’s experience.”
Saint Peter’s is committed to providing a liberal arts education at all academic levels which stimulates students to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately, and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment. To learn more, visit www.saintpeters.edu.
This article was provided by Angeline Boyer of Saint Peters and edited by the SW Globe Times (Ted Behr).
