SIUE Alumnus and MTV Correspondent Dometi Pongo Closes Out SIUE’s Arts and Issues Season
The final event for the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) 2022-2023 Arts and Issues’ series featured
MTV correspondent and host Dometi Pongo, a 2011 alumnus of SIUE, for his presentation, “Journalistic range as catalyst for change: Lessons on a journey from SIUE to MTV.” Pongo gave details of his experiences and pursuit of an exciting and fulfilling career as he spoke on April 12 at the Lovejoy Library.
Following the presentation, a question-and-answer session was hosted by Distinguished Research Professor of Literature Howard Rambsy II, PhD, of CAS; and Nicole Dixon, a graduate student in the CAS Department of English, Language and Literature.
Pongo, an economics and finance major, responded to questions about his career as a correspondent and creative. He discussed interviewing Megan the Stallion, Billie Eilish, J. Balvin, DJ Khaled, Keke Palmer, Rick Ross and other celebrities. He also addressed the challenges of working red carpet interviews, such as competing with other correspondents for celebrities’ time and interest.
He gave students advice about the importance of exploring their interests and passions. Pongo encouraged students to read books and learn about the experiences of others who pursued similar paths.
“Pongo coming back to SIUE was an amazing moment,” said Dixon. “He’s relatable and aspirational.”
“It's crucial for students to witness connections between the intellectual and cultural work they are doing at SIUE and visions of the professional intellectuals they can be in the future,” said Elizabeth Cali, PhD, associate professor in the Department of English, Language and Literature. “Pongo provided a pathway from student to professional in a way that Black students could see themselves in the present and imagine their own futures.”
After graduating SIUE, Pongo started out working at the Target headquarters in Minneapolis. It took him a year to realize he wanted to follow his true passion related to media and the arts. He moved back home to Chicago and began working at a radio station and organized artistic events across the city. Eventually, an opportunity to interview with MTV emerged. He moved to New York City, where he was offered a full-time job as a correspondent, red carpet interviewer and to host select shows.
