Diasia Sade Ellerbee decided to become a journalist in ninth grade, with human interest stories as her specialty.

“Journalism gives a voice to those unheard,” said Ellerbee, a senior at Howard University from Sumter, S.C.

Ellerbee said writing has always been one of her best talents.  She said she learned the importance of putting “words to paper” by making homemade greeting cards for her mother as a child.

She said her family history influenced her to become a writer. Ellerbee was a teenager when her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and her mother’s personal strength was an inspiration, she said.

When talking about her family, she said, “I listen to stories about their lives and wonder, ‘Who else has stories that need to be told?’ ”

She said she has a keen interest in writing about the lives of strangers, and her approachable demeanor has allowed her to meet many different types of people. One of her most memorable experiences was writing a profile about a female police officer on her beat. The officer was a former welfare mom of three who overcame adversity to join the force.

As a journalism student, Ellerbee said,  she plans to gain knowledge about different types of media.

“I’d like to expand on different talents and go where God leads me,” she said.  After graduation, Ellerbee would like to work for a newspaper or magazine.  She also is considering a graduate degree in forensics.

“Regardless of what I decide to do, I’ll always be a journalist,” she said.