About Kiya Edwards
Kiya Edwards has worked in U.S. and international news for more than 13 years, with nearly 7 of those years reporting for KARE 11 in the Twin Cities, her hometown market.
Kiya calls herself a global reporter because her TV career began in Nairobi, Kenya.
There wasn’t a job waiting for her when she landed that day in 2011, but within weeks, she found meaningful work at Africa 24 Media. Kiya became a co-host of “Africa Journal,” the company's internationally aired show produced in partnership with Reuters.
For two years, she remained based in Nairobi but traveled to cover stories in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Morocco, and Italy.
After moving back to the U.S. in 2013, Kiya worked as a video journalist for KWQC-TV6 News in the Quad Cities, where she independently shot, wrote, edited, and presented daily news stories under tight deadlines. She also filled in on the anchor desk.
Kiya then jumped 80 TV markets for a multi-skilled journalist position at KSDK News Channel 5 in St. Louis. In addition to covering daily crime, the station sent her to Houston and New Orleans, where she provided live breaking news coverage of Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Cindy respectively.
She also participated in the National Association of Black Journalists conventions in Detroit and Miami.
Growing up, Kiya went to South High School in Minneapolis and spent sophomore year as an exchange student in Germany. She later double majored in journalism and theater at the University of Minnesota, where she also made a lifetime commitment to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Today, Kiya mentors a high school student through Big Brothers Big Sisters and was named a Game Changer for the nonprofit after emceeing its annual fundraising gala for five consecutive years. She continues to emcee various events throughout the Twin Cities area.
Experience
KARE 11 News | Multi-Skilled Journalist | Twin Cities | June 2018 – Dec 2024
Met tight deadlines by pitching, shooting, writing, voice tracking, video editing, and presenting daily TV and web stories, often working independently on all tasks
Covered breaking news, politics, high-profile court cases, housing and urban development, employment trends, public health, education, science and technology, environmental issues, severe weather, sports, the arts
Broke the news on a business deal between Broadus Foods and Post, securing an exclusive interview with rap legend and serial entrepreneur Master P
Created, hosted, and executive produced “The Show with Kiya,” a platform for music artists to share updates and perform
Emceed highly attended community events, including the inaugural “Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant,” Big Brothers Big Sisters’ annual gala, St. Paul Area Chamber’s "Powerful Political Women” panel, a USPS stamp reveal
Improved workplace culture by serving on a small DEI team, bringing in experts from D.C. for a newsroom-wide training
Selected to mentor newly hired reporters; coached photojournalists in the field and during video editing when paired
101.3 KDWB | Fill-in Host | Twin Cities | May 2019
Covered for Falen on “The Dave Ryan Show,” co-hosting alongside renowned broadcaster Dave Ryan
KSDK News Channel 5 | Multi-Skilled Journalist | St. Louis | May 2016 – May 2018
Co-created a pilot show that led the city to expedite an elder’s sidewalk repair request
Covered Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Cindy for sister stations KHOU and WWL-TV
KWQC-TV6 News | Video Journalist | Quad Cities | Feb 2014 – April 2016
Interviewed presidential hopefuls during Iowa caucuses and served as political debate moderator for state lawmakers
Earned the opportunity to anchor newscasts when needed
Africa 24 Media | Host and Reporter | Nairobi | Oct 2011 – Oct 2013
Co-hosted company’s internationally aired “Africa Journal” show and frequently traveled across continent to cover stories
Led a team tasked with producing 30 feature stories surrounding 2012 London Summer Olympics
Education
Bachelor of Arts
Double major in Broadcast Journalism, Theater Arts
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Additional Training
Online AI ethics course through TEGNA Inc.
Innovation Summit at TEGNA Inc. headquarters in D.C. area
Local Journalists Workshop at Council on Foreign Relations in NYC
National Association of Black Journalists conventions in Miami, Detroit
Bloomington Police Department’s first Shifting Forward Program
Illinois Quad Cities Citizens Police Academy
Honors & Awards
V3 Sports 2025 Victory Leader
Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities 2024 Game Changer
Planting People Growing Justice 2023 Excellence in Education Award
Reports included in multiple Regional Emmy Award wins for KARE, KSDK, KWQC
Partners & Affiliations
