Born on the Southside of Chicago, Hannah Joy Shareef developed a passion for multimedia reporting and political science. Under the leadership of Shareef’s mother, Shareef began to develop her voice as she performed at the Chicago House of Blues, taught Sunday School class, performed as mistress of ceremony for several events, and hosted the weekly webcast for the Greater House of Prayer.
After high school, Shareef headed to New Orleans to attend a historically black university, because its mission was to create professionals whose work led to a more just and humane society. At Xavier University of Louisiana, Hannah Joy is working diligently to master her skill in multimedia reporting, news writing, photography and criminal justice law.
Hannah Joy has successfully reported the main events of New Orleans as a contributing writer for Femme Fatale, Black and Gold Boycott Bowl, and Uptown Super Sunday. Her greatest accomplishments are interviewing the Queen of Creole Cuisine Ms. Leah Chase, interning for New Orleans Access Television, WDSU- TV, becoming the National Youth Spokesperson for Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and interning for Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman in Chicago, Illinois.
Recently, Shareef has been able to report on COVID-19 with people such as government officials, Bravo’s Married to Medicine Contessa Metcalfe, NBC’s YOUNG ROCK cast, Emmy- winning actress Vanessa Baden, and the list goes on.
Shareef is committed to using her voice as a trumpet to pursue a double major in Mass Communication and Political Science with a minor in entrepreneurship. Shareef often reflects on being raised in a single-parent household and has now started mentoring young women.
Shareef believes that journalism and law is an everyday story being told by individuals who have gained freedom from the opinions of others. In both fields, Shareef will test the height and depths of the news station and create order in the courtroom for justice.