#MediaMonday – Aziza Shuler
Today’s #MediaMonday features Aziza Shuler, who is reporter, producer and anchor at KYMA/KECY-TV in Yuma, Ariz.
Tell us how you got your start? Tell us your story!
Growing up, I was raised by my grandmother. She was extremely strict and religious. We didn’t have cable growing up. Disney Channel wasn’t an option… I also missed out on all of the Harry Potter books and movies. So, most mornings and evenings I would watch the news! I would also sneak and listen to the radio. My favorite station was 93.9 WKYS, I’ll never forget it. This was before we all had iTunes and Spotify. I was obsessed with listening to the Russ Parr Morning Show. As a kid, I never knew what the radio personalities looked like, and nor did I care. It was their voices, stories, and their conversations with callers that drew me in. I would even envision what they looked in my mind while listening.
I would say as young as first grade, I fell in love with writing and knew from then I wanted to be a journalist.
After high school, I attended UCLA. However, in my junior year, I transferred to St. John’s University in New York City where I received my B.S. in Communications.
I graduated in 2015, and return to Los Angeles to compete in Miss California USA. While living in L.A. I had a random encounter with one of my role models, Cari Champion. Throughout college, my father would actually call me and tell me to model myself after her!
At the time, she was an Anchor on ESPN.
When I finally met her, I asked her for advice and she offered me the opportunity to work with her as her assistant. I’ll say, from there, the rest is history.
Tell us how you came to start working in the media scene?
After applying to news reporter openings from Vermont, upstate New York, to almost every state in the country. I landed a job in Yuma, Ariz…right on the border of Mexico!
I’ve been here for a year.
Where did you grow up?
Washington, D.C.
Where did you live now?
Yuma, Ariz.
Favorite type of music?
R&B
Favorite color?
– I don’t think I have one. I actually love prints; leopard, marble, snake print!
Three things readers would be surprised to know about you?
– I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 25.
– I’m somewhere between a vegan and vegetarian.
– I was in foster care as a child.
Do you take pitches? If so, any guidelines?
YES! I love to hear other’s ideas.
What is the lead time you need for content or pitches?
Anytime.
What is the best way to reach you?
Email: Aziza.shuler@kecytv.com
IG: @AzizaShuler
