Dr. Eric J. Chambers: A Chat with Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Author, and Filmmaker

Dr. Eric J. Chambers is a 9-time Emmy and Golden Mike Award-winning TV/radio host, producer, documentary filmmaker, author, and native of New Orleans, LA. He is the dad to Aerica, a junior at the University of Southern California.

Courageous Men Magazine sat down with him to chat about his career and life as a journalist.

Tell us about your journalistic journey:

It started on June 22, 1976, as a 13-year-old Sportswriter for the Slidell (La.) Daily Sentry News. I Earned $3 per article. I launched my Jazzspel radio show on July 10, 1994, on Smooth Jazz KIFM 98.1 in San Diego. My TV career began at sea onboard the US Navy ship USS Belleau Wood. I was the sports anchor. In January 1986, while in my Navy uniform, I went to KGTV10, the ABC affiliate in San Diego, and asked for a job. I was hired in March 1986 as a messenger in the mailroom slinging mail and answering switchboard phone calls. I worked my way up to an assistant editor, senior video editor, and eventually reporter and part-time anchor. I left there after 7 1/2 years to become news and public affairs director at KIFM radio.

Name some of the celebrities you’ve interviewed, and who were your top three favorites? Beyonce´, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Tyler Perry, Muhammad Ali, Arsenio Hall, Mark Wahlberg, The Rock, Rosa Parks, Sugar Ray Leonard, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Tiffany Haddish, Luther Vandross, Frankie Beverly, Diana Ross, and countless others. My three favorites are Beyonce´, the nicest; Don Cornelius, my Soul Train idol; and Suge Knight, the most fun to sit and chat with.

What has been your most rewarding experience?

Personally, watching my daughter grow into a beautiful young adult. Professionally, hosting my Jazzspel radio show and being able to play independent artists’ music who wouldn’t otherwise get radio airplay.

Your book, “The Love I Have For You: Breaking The Baby-Daddy Cycle with Fatherly Love,” describes the importance of fatherly love:

As a child, I heard a preacher say, “The most important thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother.” I still believe that. Although my former wife and I divorced in 2006, I still love her as my sister in Christ. I didn’t want to create unnecessary pain in my daughter’s childhood with drama between her mom and me. To hurt her mom is to hurt her. I am not going to do that. A father should spend as much time with his child, speak positive life to them, and believe in their dreams.

Tell us about your upcoming books.

I am in the middle of publishing a Signature Series called “I Want To Know You.” Currently, “Mama, I Want To Know You” and “Daddy, I Want To Know You” are available at WhoDatPublishingHouse.com. When answered, they prompt you with questions that will help you record your family’s history.

Visit EricJChambers.com for my bio and links to other projects.