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Seeing is believing, and so it only makes sense that the imagery associated with certain successes can many times provide the inspiration to turn an idea into reality. Perhaps nowhere else is this more true than with African-Americans, who still have a ways to go but have managed to make great strides in having their likenesses presented positively in the face of adversity.

That’s certainly the case for Kazeem Famuyide, a 30-year-old sports journalist who sat down with NewsOne to provide a glimpse into the incentive for him pursuing a career in media. He said it was the presentation of the overall narrative for any given topic that makes all the difference to him.

“I think it’s important for cultural influencers to have influence over how the story is being told, especially when it comes to athletes because there a language barrier,” he said. “There’s certain stories that can only be told through the lens of somebody who’s lived something close to it or at least understand it.”

That’s actually somewhat of an understatement for Famuyide, who explained exactly why Stuart Scott, the late ESPN anchor, inspired him to get into sports journalism.

“Stuart Scott was the first person I saw on TV who talked like me, acted like me … talked like me,” he said while referencing how the pioneering ESPN personality would routinely weave social commentary and especially hip-hop lyrics into his coverage as a means to increase the appeal of so-called non-Black sports with Black viewers.

Still, Famuyide was quick to point out that cultural icons aren’t always high-profile figures, but that shouldn’t and doesn’t diminish the significance of their contributions.

“It’s so important for people like us to be behind the scenes, as well,” he said.

28 Days Of Cool: The Importance Of African-Americans Having Black Icons  was originally published on newsone.com