Jesse Holland, Ole Miss alumnus and author of “Who is the Black Panther,” returned to his alma mater Tuesday afternoon to talk with students, staff and members of the community in the Overby Center about his career as a writer. Holland also offered advice to students who are interested pursuing writing careers.
Holland encouraged people in the audience to not be quiet about what they love and want to do.
“I am loud and proud about that I’m a comic book geek,” he said. “Lucas Films and Marvel would have never found me if I kept my passions hidden.”
Holland has been writing since 2005. His first book, “Black Men Built the Capitol: Discovering African-American History In and Around Washington” was published in 2007, and his second book “The Invisibles: The Untold Story of African American Slaves in the White House” was published in 2016.
After those two books were published, he was approached in 2016 to write a backstory for a character named Finn in the newest “Star Wars” trilogy. In September, “The Force Awakens: Finn’s Story” was released.
Jesse Holland, author of Marvel’s Black Panther and UM alum, delivers the keynote address during the 2018 Mississippi Scholastic Press Association’s spring convention at the Ford Center before speaking at the Overby Center on Tuesday. Photo by Logan Conner
A month later, Marvel reached out to him to write a book telling the origins of the Black Panther in order to introduce those characters before the movie was released earlier this year.
In September 2017, “Who is the Black Panther” was published and now is sold out internationally.
Holland emphasized the importance of students having mentors and connecting with those in the areas they want to be in.
“I have mentors in journalism, nonfiction and fiction writing who I turn to,” he said. “Find your tribe, and they’ll keep you on the right path.”
Holland majored in journalism and English in addition to being the editor in chief of The Daily Mississippian, working for the Oxford Eagle and hosting a radio show while at Ole Miss.
“Ole Miss allowed me to experiment and learn all types of journalism,” Holland said. “It gave me the opportunities to learn my craft.”
When Holland left Ole Miss, he had completed five internships. He stressed to students the importance of getting hands-on experience in the field in which they wish to work.
“It’s just as important to know what you don’t want to do as it is to know what you do want to do,” he said. “I got into journalism so I could write my books.”
Looking to the future, Holland is in discussion with Marvel for another potential project as well as writing the outlines for his next two nonfiction projects.
“There will be more comic books and science fiction in my life, but I’m not going to leave nonfiction behind.”
Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter told the crowd that it is always a good day when a esteemed alum returns and reaches out the students.
“I’m very proud he’s a graduate of our university,” he said. “He’s a role model to the university and an inspiration to our students.”
Sophomore and broadcast journalism major Andranita Williams said she enjoyed listening to the advice Holland offered.
“I learned that if you want to be successful in journalism, you need to surround yourself with people who desire to be into journalism as well,” Williams said. “I liked learning what I can do to become a better journalist.”
