Jeanette Kwakye: ‘Execs told me certain jobs wouldn’t happen for me based on my look or profile’

As a supporter, I find Jeanette Kwakye to be an inspiring figure who embodies resilience, determination, and adaptability. Her journey from a university graduate to a five-time British champion athlete, and eventually a successful broadcaster, is nothing short of remarkable. Her story serves as a testament to the power of taking chances and seizing opportunities when they present themselves, even if it means stepping out of one’s comfort zone.

At age 21, broadcaster Jeanette Kwakye experienced a life-changing moment reminiscent of the movie “Sliding Doors”. Having unsuccessfully applied for a job at Radio 1 Extra and feeling disheartened, she had an influential conversation with an editor from a newspaper. He suggested that instead of pursuing athletics full-time, she should focus on her athletic career while considering broadcasting as a potential future endeavor. She expressed gratitude towards him, acknowledging that his advice would have been unattainable in her later years and left her feeling forever indebted to him.

In another wording: He was vindicated on both points. Currently sharing hosting duties for the weekend breakfast show on Radio 5 Live, Kwakye had a successful athletics career that earned her five British championship titles and ranked her second in the world in the 60m sprint. After retiring from track and field in 2014 but maintaining her gym routine, what else does she contribute to her current position beyond exceptional physical conditioning?

She admits it may sound cliche, but she’s convinced of her strong work ethic.” She goes on to explain how athletes often underestimate the amount of self-discipline required. Even tasks that seem impossible in everyday life become achievable when you’re an athlete, because you’re conditioned to focus and complete your tasks.

41-year-old living in east London manages her busy life with two kids under 10 and a big extended family nearby. To maintain her schedule, she sets a 3:30 am alarm on Saturdays and enjoys a leisurely sleep until 4:30 pm on Sundays. She appears remarkably calm about it all, stating that she is definitely a morning person.

Kwakye continues to harbor a sentimental longing for an aspect of her past life. “In sports, success is entirely based on objective standards – either you’re the best at what you do or not, it’s that straightforward. In broadcasting, however, success is subjective and it’s impossible to satisfy everyone.

She ponders thoughtfully. “Both professions can be ruthless in their unique ways. In sports, it’s heart-wrenching to invest months or even a year into training only to find oneself excluded from the team. It’s something nobody would wish upon anyone. In broadcasting, however, it’s a different kind of struggle. You could be exceptionally talented, but if the timing isn’t right or your appearance doesn’t match the producer’s vision, you might miss out on an opportunity. The reasons don’t really matter; if you don’t get the job, that’s just how it goes.

Over the past decade, starting from her initial broadcast with BBC Radio Berkshire, Kwakye has hosted programs for Sky Sports, Channel 5, and BBC Radio London. She was also a part of the BBC team during the Paris Olympics and currently co-hosts The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV1.

If everything appears smooth regarding her career shift, she confides in me that there were indeed obstacles along the way. Executives have informed her from the beginning that certain positions wouldn’t be suitable for her due to her appearance or profile. However, she finds this reasonable and always asks what more she can do or attempt to improve her chances.

Kwakye is very specific about how she wants her Radio 5 Live weekend shows to unfold. She recognizes that many perspectives shared have often been centered around London. Now, she’s curious to hear opinions from people living in places like Edinburgh and Cardiff. It’s a privilege to have such diverse voices and viewpoints at our disposal, whether we’re discussing global issues like Russia and Ukraine, or focusing on a farm in Colchester.

Kwakye views her career as similar to Sue Barker’s, but she believes she has ventured even farther. Having grown up on an east London council estate, she expresses pride in her roots and suggests that today there are no set paths for entering broadcasting; anyone, including athletes like herself, can claim a place in the industry, despite some dissent from traditional journalists who argue that sports figures are encroaching on their territory.

She states, “This field is constantly seeking the source of its skilled workers, and I wanted to provide an answer myself. That’s why I pursued my NCTJ [journalism qualification] and learned shorthand, even though it wasn’t required. I climbed the career ladder to reach this point.

In my younger years, only individuals from Oxbridge or those whose parents held similar professions were considered for certain careers. Today, however, there are multiple avenues available. All I can emphasize is the importance of excelling in whatever path you choose to take.

2024-12-23 19:35

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