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Brothers follow their dreams as members of White House press corps

This story appears in the Summer 2017 issue of the Liberty Journal. Visit the Liberty Journal website to read more student and alumni stories.

Kadesh (left) and Mike DuBose outside the White House.

For brothers Kadesh (’15) and Mike DuBose, their interest in media began in childhood, when they toured broadcasting studios around Chicago.

Their parents homeschooled them and were always exploring opportunities for their sons to learn from professionals in different fields.

“Our parents had childhood friends who went to work for Oprah and Steve Harvey,” Mike DuBose said. “They took us to their studios. We always felt comfortable around cameras.”

In high school, while living on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., the brothers started their own production company. Their first big job was covering an appearance by then-President Barack Obama at a local grocery store near their house.

“It was a God thing,” Mike DuBose said. “The rest is history after that.”

They soon became freelancers for a variety of media outlets that hired them to broadcast or photograph news from the White House. Now, the siblings share office space near the North Lawn; they earned their hard credentials last year, which allow them to be stationed there as members of the press corps.

“It’s surreal,” Kadesh DuBose said. “You’re respected for your work and get to document things in real time. Even if it’s a bad day, you’re still working at the White House.”

Mike works on the broadcast side and has freelanced for clients such as the EPA and Fox News. Kadesh focuses on still photography and was asked by Associated Press journalist C. Anthony Miller help design a mural that features those who have worked in the press corps for at least 10 years; the piece was signed by Obama and is now on display in the White House press room.

As for daily life at the White House, the Duboses said each workday is different.

“I compare it to a fire station,” Mike DuBose said. “Sometimes you’re sitting around waiting for something to happen. Other days it’s crazy, and you’re running around nonstop.”

Mike earned his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Liberty’s online program in 2015. Kadesh is set to graduate this year with the same degree. Mike DuBose said he applied to three colleges after high school. Liberty wasn’t his first choice.

“Then I came and visited, and I just fell in love with it,” he said. “Ironically, on the first day I was enrolled in online classes, I was visiting the White House with my dad. I never knew that’s where I’d end up. It’s been beyond a blessing for us both.”

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