Sydney
Simone

I’m a Midwest girl currently living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Although I moved around as a kid, faith, sports, food, music, and media kept me grounded. I grew up playing basketball, running track, playing instruments, and taking dance classes. Now, I still enjoy watching WNBA games, making playlists, skating, riding my bike, and traveling when I have free time. My experiences growing up instilled traits that make me a creative, caring, and relatable journalist. Which shaped my proven ability to seek, create, and tell unique stories through multiple platforms. 

 

Let's start from the beginning... 

I was born in Detroit, Michigan. Around the age of eight, my mom and I moved to East Lansing which is about an hour from Detroit. We stayed on the campus of Michigan State University while my mom pursued her doctorate. Shortly after my grandparents passed away, we moved to Waukegan, Illinois. It was closer to Gary, Indiana, which is my mom's hometown. I spent all of middle school and a portion of high school in Illinois. After attending Warren Township High School in Gurnee for two years, I transferred and graduated from Merrillville High School in Merrillville, IN. I went on to earn my bachelor's degree from Purdue University in May 2019. I studied Mass Communication, Spanish, and Organizational Leadership and Supervision. At Purdue, I joined my illustrious organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. I gained valuable leadership skills as president of the Zeta Theta Chapter and Purdue's National Panhellenic Council. Through my classes, organizations, and internships at Purdue, I developed an unbreakable bond with the broadcast media industry. Among other things, I am a part of another well-known organization, the National Association of Black Journalists. 

 

Where am I today? 

I joined the WVLA/WGMB (BRProud News) team in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a Weekend Anchor and Reporter in November 2022. I'm excited to grow, learn, and embrace the culture of living in the area of the state's capital. In March of 2024, I won the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Prestige Award for “Reporter of the Year.” Before my current position, I was a reporter and multimedia journalist for the CW39 Houston Morning Show. I started my career in late 2019 at KTAL NBC 6 Shreveport-Texarkana. I worked as an outgoing, community-focused visual storyteller, multimedia journalist, and reporter in the Four States Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas). I gained experience in news and sports media. 

 

Before jumping in front of the camera, in 2019, I launched my own radio show called the "College Playground". I interview college athletes about their collegiate career and their plans after school. College Playground is a show 30-minute show produced weekly. I used to broadcast on the "Stationhead" app. In the summer of 2023, I rebranded as a podcast and digital show on YouTube. 

 

Why journalism? Let me tell you... 

Journalism is more than just providing insight; it’s artistry. Everyone has a unique story. I feel a sense of responsibility to discover the story and shed light on the situation without bias. 

I'm a community-focused journalist, committed to building trustworthy relationships in the community through my storytelling skills. By conducting in-depth research and telling longer stories, I build personal relationships with people. Doing a quick day-turn is great. However, trust starts with transparency. I believe effective storytelling not only strengthens your credibility but it builds rapport with viewers. Giving the community more information sucks them in. It makes the people around you feel like you’re invested in them. This inevitably impacts lives. That's my goal! At the end of the day, I'm a people person. 

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The broadcast media industry is home. I love entertainment and sports, but I'm enjoying the detour I'm taking in the news business. I love it here! I have experience in television, podcasting, and digital content. Nonetheless, I'm a journalist who enjoys telling stories regardless of the medium. I value life experiences and giving a voice to the voiceless. Sharing the stories of others is a blessing. 

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I am so excited to be walking this journey to reach my dreams. I am eager to learn, grow, and perfect my craft as a journalist, in addition to contributing my skills and talents to a competitive industry. I'm truly grateful! My long-term goal is to become an anchor or daytime show host on a major network. 

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My name is Sydney Simone and I'm a multimedia journalist, anchor, reporter, on-air talent, and visual storyteller.

 

Strengths: Skilled visual storyteller, written and oral communicator, entertainer, public speaking, filming, editing, leading, making connections, and building relationships.