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MTV correspondent and host Dometi Pongo, a 2011 alumnus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, gave details of his experiences and pursuit of an exciting and fulfilling career during a presentation for the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Arts & Issues series. 

Pongo, an economics and finance major, spoke on Wednesday, April 12 at the Lovejoy Library’s Friends Corner. He started out working at the Target headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn. It took him a year to realize he wanted to follow his true passion related to media and the arts. 

Pongo moved back home to Chicago and began working at a radio station. He also organized artistic events, including poetry readings, across the city. 

Eventually, an opportunity to interview with MTV emerged. He moved to New York City, where he initially had a 30-day contract. The company eventually offered him a full-time job as a correspondent, red carpet interviewer and to host select shows. 

Following Pongo’s presentation, a question-and-answer session was hosted by Distinguished Research Professor of Literature Howard Rambsy II, PhD, of CAS; and Nicole Dixon, a graduate student in the CAS Department of English, Language and Literature. He responded to questions about his career as a correspondent and creative. 

Pongo discussed interviewing Megan the Stallion, Billie Eilish, J. Balvin, DJ Khaled, Keke Palmer, Rick Ross and other celebrities. He also mentioned the challenges of working red carpet interviews, such as competing with other correspondents for celebrities’ time and interest. 

He gave students advice about the importance of exploring their interests and passions. Pongo encouraged students to read books and learn about the experiences of others who pursued similar paths. 

“Pongo coming back to SIUE was an amazing moment,” said Dixon. “He’s relatable and aspirational.”  

"His advice about ​navigating a creative career is especially important to me,” she added, “given my interests in screenwriting and production.” 

“It's crucial for students to witness connections between the intellectual and cultural work they are doing at SIUE and visions of the professional intellectuals they can be in the future,” said Elizabeth Cali, PhD, associate professor in the Department of English, Language and Literature. “Pongo provided a pathway from student to professional in a way that Black students could see themselves in the present and imagine their own futures.” 

The Pongo event marked a special occasion for the Arts & Issues Director Grant Andree, who will retire in May. Since 2007, Andree has booked 103 events, including three additional CAS colloquium speakers. 

In 2011 for the CAS colloquium, Andree booked journalist and author Ta-Nehisi Coates, who had not yet achieved national prominence. Pongo, who was a student at the time, met with Coates.   

“To have an SIUE student who attended the Ta-Nehisi Coates appearance and was inspired by the event as our final Arts & Issues speaker, was a perfect way to finish my career here at SIUE,” said Andree. 

“The SIUE Arts & Issues series, over its 38 years, as well as the CAS colloquium, presented world class speakers and performing artists the community would never have had an opportunity to see,” he continued. 

Andree also noted that because people from across campus made suggestions about speaker and performances, the Arts & Issues series was an SIUE community effort. 

Photos:
Dometi Pongo, MTV correspondent and host and 2011 SIUE alumnus. 

(L-R): SIUE graduate student Nicole Dixon, Pongo and Distinguished Research Professor of Literature Howard Rambsy II.