Frederick Quinn aka “Freddy the Reporter” is a journalist from St. Rose, Louisiana. His passion for storytelling first stemmed from the world of professional wrestling. He has been an avid fan since he was 6 years old, however, it was at the age of 12 when he truly connected with the sport. He heard an in-ring promo by John Cena that centered never giving up no matter the circumstances which reflected what he was going through navigating the world as a youth. Fast-forward a year later, and Freddy was introduced to a whole new world of storytelling: broadcast news. Watching the news with his family was a norm, but something sparked in him when he would watch entertainment news show, “The 504” hosted by reporter Sheba Turk. The show featured unique guests and unconventional stories about all things New Orleans. Tuning in gave Freddy the dream that he too could connect with audiences around the world.

 

His pursuit of a career in broadcast television began in college while attending Xavier University of Louisiana. Initially he decided to become a business major due to his aspirations of one day being a business owner, but still focused on opportunities within mass communication. In 2019, he secured an internship at New Orleans Access Television (NOA-TV), where he learned set design, camera operation, editing, and even programming. Yearning for more he went on to join the student media department in which he was a host, personality, actor, producer, and camera operator featured on shows including, Questions: Finish the Lyrics, Song Association, Xlpicit, and XUTV Silent Library. An even bigger battle brewed as Freddy’s desire for being a businessman started to decline and his passion for being a journalist rose. It prompted him to evaluate what he really wanted which raised doubt within himself as well as from administration, peers, and even family. In 2022, with all the criticism he became discouraged, confused and officially withdrew from the university.

 

His confidence was shot and was even convinced the dream had died. God is a big part of Freddy’s life. He had always gone to church with his family, and it was his grandmother that taught him faith was forever. She passed away when he was a teenager, and this situation brought him back to that pain. But realizing that God was preparing him for something greater was the motivation that he needed to chase that dream again. This led him to reenroll at The University of New Orleans to complete his degree. Only this time he vowed to do it different.

 

He put his dream first and was yet again on the hunt for just a shot in broadcast news. He looked for opportunities to get his foot in the door like joining film club and becoming a reporter for the returning school newspaper, Driftwood. In January 2024, he found himself itching to get a taste of a real newsroom leading him apply for a digital news internship at WGNO. He got the internship and at the point knew that God had prepared him for this moment. In that role he was able to get valuable experience and finetune his skills as a journalist. Freddy was on his way but wanted to learn more and would land a paid internship at WVUE Fox 8. This time he was a broadcast tv intern and learned the ins and outs of the broadcast. He learned how to write as a producer, run teleprompter and shadow directors on top of curating stories for digital. At the same time Freddy continued his work outside of the traditional newsroom and completed a community reporting fellowship at Lede New Orleans that featured him interviewing community leaders and shooting a documentary.

 

Freddy traveled a road filled with doubt and heartache but got through it by the grace of God. After graduating from The University of New Orleans in December 2024, he is still on his journey to find a station he can call home. But not without working on his own stories!