Karidia Shelby

Before graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with my bachelor’s degree in communication, I often parked outside WCIA 3, my hometown news station, to do homework —dreaming of the door of opportunity to someday open for me there. That dream became reality—I not only worked there but also became the first Black host of the Lifestyle Show, ciLiving.

I write. I create. I speak. I inspire.