“It all started with a roast beef sandwich,” Sherman Desselle, Northwestern State University of Louisiana alumnus, recalled, remembering how one part-time job changed the trajectory of his whole life. Now, he has been inducted into the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts’ Hall of Fame.
In 2007, Deselle moved back home to Alexandria, La., after graduating from NSU. He shared that when he worked part-time at a deli, he struggled with the idea of what he wanted his future to look like, while actively pursuing a career in the performing arts.
One day while on the clock, a regular at the deli, who happened to be the assignment editor for KALB News, asked Desselle about his professional background and posed the question, “Have you ever considered working in a news station?” Then, he proceeded to offer Desselle a part-time videographer position, asking him to stop by the station the next day.
Recalling his father’s advice to “be prepared for anything,” Desselle walked into KALB in a suit, résumé in hand. Thinking he was walking into an unfamiliar environment, he was shocked upon arrival. “Turns out I knew people in the newsroom,” he said, adding that the weekend anchor was an NSU alum and the 5 p.m. producer was a childhood friend. Shortly after, Desselle had an impromptu interview with the news director and the assignment editor.
The following day, the assignment editor walked into the deli and said, “If you want the job, you can have it,” Desselle recalled. He then asked the assignment editor, “What made you take a chance on me? I didn’t know anything.” According to Desselle, the assignment editor responded with, “I figured, if you could make a roast beef sandwich with a good attitude, then you can do this job.”
Desselle admitted that he’s been keeping to that mantra throughout his entire career. He said that while people are often qualified for the job, their attitude is what an employer is looking for. “When you’re talented, you’re willing to work with people and willing to be teachable, you can open so many doors,” he said.
During this time in his career, there was a more traditional form of news, consisting of only a reporter and a photographer. He said he realized he could do this; Desselle wanted to be the one on-camera.
When Hurricane Gustav struck in June 2008, the producer of KALB needed coverage on the devastation that surrounded North Louisiana. Desselle made the executive decision to get out of the car, get the camera rolling and start interviewing people. “When I got back in the newsroom, an anchor saw me and said, ‘Put a mic on and sit behind the desk and tell me what you saw,’” he said. “That’s when I realized I was a journalist.”
A year later, Desselle became one of the first multimedia journalists in KALB’s newsroom. Following a year of being an MMJ, he became an anchor, then a morning anchor. Desselle spent a total of 11 years in Alexandria.
Desselle added that with his theater background, he is able to analyze character. “People just really want you to talk to them,” he said. “It’s funny that I never touched the journalism department, but all the things I learned in the performing arts building, I apply in journalism.”
Desselle became deeply involved in community service through being a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and his church. He said that in his profession, you have to make sure that you stay human and connected to people. What has helped Desselle in the last 18 years of coverage is being empathic and having compassion.
“My goal is to learn everything I can about you in a short period of time, find some type of common thread and be able to get you to open up to me,” he said. “Because I was so involved in the community, and I would take out the time to learn different people and the demographics, cultures and the environment, I’m able to adapt very quickly.”
While attending NSU, he admitted that he had a life changing experience. He shared that NSU’s environment always mirrored his childhood, because he grew up and was an active member in a Black community, but he went to schools that were diverse.
“Because of all the things I was involved in in high school一speech and debate, performing arts一it opened me up to different people anyway,” he said. “This was what became my home.”
Being inducted into the CAPA Hall of Fame was very surreal for Desselle; he originally felt imposter syndrome. Then, he realized he was qualified for this, and stepped into the recognition. “I’m embracing it. With the distinction of me being a Black man, I hadn’t really thought of that,” Desselle said.
The first person Desselle told when he found out he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame was his dad. Not only did his father support him through school, but he showed up to every performance. “I’m a reflection of him. The performing arts and the ability to communicate, I get that from him. I used to watch him, lecture and talk to people,” he said.
His oldest sister, Natalie Desselle Reed, who died in 2020, was an American actress. Having performed in several films including “B.A.P.S.,” “Def Jam’s How to Be a Player” and “Cinderella,” she played a huge part in motivating Desselle to keep following his dreams. “That’s why I dedicated this honor to her, because I know that she’d be extremely proud of me,” he shared.
As a non-traditional reporter, Desselle offered advice to the next generation. “Do all of it, if it doesn’t stress you out,” he said. “Just know that the business is changing a lot. It changes every six months. We’re looking at uncertainty. The traditional forms of journalism are having to catch up. Your job as a journalist, whatever track you take, you need to make sure you understand the ethics of journalism, understand the principles and the basic practices of journalism.”
Currently, as a reporter for FOX26 in Houston, Texas, Desselle’s story shows that you don’t have to fit the traditional model of journalism一you just have to take opportunities with a good attitude, because opportunity can come from the most unlikely places.
