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| Who would have thought the words spoken to me by Bo Barredo in 2002, “You need to go in to broadcasting” would have me almost eight years later interviewing the Haitian Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Raymond Joseph. One Positive Channels fan and viewer said it best when he called this my “landmark interview”. So just how did all this come to be? |
Andrea and the Haitian Ambassador, Raymond Joseph.
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| Rev. Lehman Bates, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlottesville, VA and Executive Director of Breaking the Chains, went to Washington, DC on Tuesday, January 19th to find out how to purchase a tent for the people of Haiti. Providentially he ended up before the Haitian Ambassador. After speaking with him for a bit, Pastor Bates invited him to visit Charlottesville and his church. The Ambassador accepted. Immediately Pastor Bates called me and asked if I’d be available to interview him on Sunday, January 24th. I knew I had a couple of meetings scheduled following my church service so I couldn’t confirm at that moment. Apparently it didn’t register at the time that he was asking me to interview an Ambassador. After realizing this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I rearranged my schedule and availed myself. I can hear you know saying “Smart move, Andrea” and I completely agree. |
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Rev. Lehman Bates and His Excellency Raymond Joseph.
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From Thursday until Saturday night, I prepped and prayed for the biggest interview of my life thus far. Although it came as a result of the catastrophic earthquake that leveled Haiti, I was still very grateful for the opportunity. I’ve learned in life that God makes beauty out of ashes and works things together for good. It was His will and it was for a reason was I given this opportunity. |
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| Saturday night before the interview I found myself overcome with nerves and a bit stressed. I called my pastors, who prayed for me. Sunday morning at 5am, I wrapped up everything and knew at this point it was in God’s hands. The service was well-attended and instead of His Excellency giving remarks, he gave the sermon. After which there was a press conference. After the press conference, I headed to the CPA-TV studio for my exclusive interview with the Ambassador. Not a television reporter nor a newspaper reporter, but a talk show host at the cable access station got the exclusive interview. Thank you, God and thank you, Pastor Bates. |
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| About a total of 25 people came out to be a part of the studio audience. It was so surreal for me. I’m sure the Ambassador wondered why I kept staring in his face. It was because I couldn’t believe he was sitting in front of me in the studio where I do my shows. Not Harpo Studios with Oprah, but at CPA-TV with Andrea. I was in awe! I pulled myself together, we taped the show and that was a wrap. I remember a couple of times fumbling and stumbling over some words but all in all, it was a good interview. At least that‘s what I was told anyway. Afterwards, we all took photos, chatted, hugged and exchanged information. And then it was over. He was whisked away back to Washington, DC. I could now exhale because we did it. Even with the rain, it turned out to be a perfect day for my landmark interview. My best one yet! |
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