How I got my job: Sheletta Brundidge

Age: 36

Home: St. Paul

Job: Host and executive producer of "Crossroads," airing at 7:30 a.m. Sundays on KSTC-TV Channel 45

Salary: About $1,500 a month

Education: A bachelor's in radio and television broadcasting from the University of Houston

How did the "Crossroads" job come about? It was a long-standing, long-running minority affairs program. ... I asked them if I could take over the show. Of course, they said, "No."

Well, you got the job eventually. What was the show like when you began hosting in 2007? We started at 5:30 on Sunday mornings. The ratings got better, so they moved us to 7:30.

What is the show about? We talk about everything from education in minority communities to current events. We spent a whole half-hour on [Barack Obama's] presidency and what it means. Every week it's not something hard-core and heavy. One week we had LL Cool J on talking about his new clothing line.

What's been your favorite show so far? Anytime the Steeles come on. They're just the most fun and heartwarming people. So whenever they come on we always block out a half-hour because we're gonna talk like old cousins. ... This is a particular segment of the Twin Cities community -- the minority community. It's a big community but it's a small world.

How do you make your money? When I took over the show, the station said, "We don't have the money to pay you, but you can go out and find advertisers for your show, and we'll pay you a commission from the sales." My husband said, "Why don't you go out and contact these small, minority-owned businesses?" Sometimes we had too many commercials to run, which is a good thing. I've worked with businesses who'd never been approached about advertising. Sometimes it's their first time shooting a commercial.

What's the importance of using humor to discuss some of the show's more serious topics? It breaks the fear. Sometimes I've had people come on to talk about serious topics, and you know the guys were real reserved. They don't know me, and they don't know if they can trust me. ... If I can make them laugh and make them smile, then they can trust me and tell me what they really feel.

You have a 2-year-old son. Is it difficult to balance work and home life? He goes to meetings with me. ... Any mother who's working right now with children has to balance and has to make it work.

ANDREW NEWMAN

Andrew Newman is a U of M student reporter on assignment with the Star Tribune.