Editor’s note: “Who is Syracuse?” is a series that runs in The Daily Orange every spring. It highlights individuals who embody the spirit of Syracuse. Members of the community were encouraged to nominate people they thought fit this description. This series explores their stories.
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rowing up with parents in the journalism field, Kelsey Davis has always had an affinity for the entertainment and news industries. Now a senior at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, her passion for innovative thinking has led her to a path of entrepreneurship as she navigates her role as a campus leader.
Davis is a television, radio and film major with a minor in information technology, design and startups. As a Posse scholar from Atlanta, Davis said the program gave her the opportunity to study at an institution she believes protects the craft of media.
“I believe that Newhouse teaches a lot (not only) about journalism and media, but also in relation to innovation and being able to look ahead and be disruptive,” she said. “That’s all the things that I was interested in.”
Before coming to Syracuse, Davis was a freelance content creator. She created videos, photos and designs for people in Atlanta. She continued this into college, but her clientele grew more widespread and forced her to travel for work. While traveling, she balanced work life with leadership roles on campus — both as an orientation leader and current member of Alpha Kappa Psi.
“Something that I realized is that I have the ability to exist in multiple spaces,” she said.
In her sophomore year, Davis felt her role as a freelancer began to interfere with that as a student, and her academics suffered. While she was building her portfolio outside of school, Davis said her professors didn’t accept that work when she went to turn them in as assignments.
“On one side of my life I (was) being affirmed and congratulated for all this stuff, but in the classroom I was being defeated. So my naïve response to that was, ‘I’m just going to drop out,’”
Shortly after contemplating this decision, she received a call from one of her mentors offering her a position as a production assistant at Condé Nast. Davis accepted and unknowingly began working with Newhouse alumni — all of whom ultimately advocated for her to continue her studies.
Davis returned the following fall semester and continued making her mark on campus.
Lorraine Branham, former dean of Newhouse, was a mentor for Davis. Since Branham’s death, Davis said she wants to continue Branham’s legacy by doing what Branham did for her.
“She was somebody that made me feel like I was going to be successful at Syracuse University because she existed here,” Davis said. “In regards to legacy, my goal is to step up when it comes to being a leader to advocate for others who can’t advocate for themselves in environments like this.”
Davis started her own company to help solve some of the problems she faced as a student creative. With the help of now SU alumnus, Ryan Williams, the two formed CLLCTVE.
CLLCTVE is a transmedia production company that produces digital content for clients, while it also helps to connect undergraduate students with brands and fellow creatives. It has partnered with various universities and recently released its beta, which makes its website more interactive.
“I’m a huge entrepreneur advocate. I think a lot of times when (people) work for an organization that is bigger than themselves, they can get caught in the system,” she said.
Kenneth Buckner, a SU senior and one of Davis’ best friends, said he remembers when CLLCTVE was just an idea.
“It started as a conversation our freshman year, and to see where it has gotten in three years alone just speaks on (Davis’) will, drive, motivation, passion, talent, execution — all of that is a result of her character,” he said.
Buckner and fellow SU senior, Jayla Goodloe — the third member to complete what Buckner refers to as “trifecta, all day” — both met Davis through their involvement as Atlanta Posse scholars. The two spoke highly of her, saying her loyalty and down-to-earth personality is what makes them all close.
For Davis, her work is synonymous with play. Upon graduating, she plans to stay in Syracuse and become full-time staff for CLLCTVE.
“I’m inspired by the opportunity and privilege to create because not a lot of people have that,” she said. “I’m inspired by little things. Stories, resilience. I’m inspired by the world.”
Photo by Laura Oliverio | Staff Photographer
Published on April 24, 2019 at 9:30 pm
