Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyia Young.
Hi Kyia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m from New Orleans, and if you know anything about my city, you know it stays with you. It’s in the way I talk, the way I move, the way I see the world. But in 2005, Hurricane Katrina forced my family to leave, and we ended up in Baton Rouge. I was young, but I remember the feeling….watching everything change overnight, seeing how the people in power responded (or didn’t). It made me pay attention in a way I probably wouldn’t have otherwise.
Politics first caught my attention in third grade when I did a book report on Sandra Day O’Connor. I didn’t know much about judicial ideology back then, but I understood power when I saw it. She was the first woman on the Supreme Court, and her vote carried weight as a swing vote. That stuck with me. By seventh grade, I joined Youth Legislature, but I stayed in the background. I wasn’t ready to put myself out there yet. I was fairly shy and rarely outspoken, but I knew it was in there somewhere. I just hadn’t found it.
By senior year, I took on a press runner role, which gave me my first real taste of media and politics working together. Earlier in high school, I worked under Mayor-President Kip Holden to help support First Lady Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaign. That experience showed me what public service could look like up close. Not including my experience in Louisiana Youth Seminar – where the business model was Tories & Whigs (inspired by the British Parliament).
After high school, my family moved back to New Orleans, but I went to Lafayette for college. At first, I majored in nursing. A choice based on my parents, it seemed practical. Nursing is stable, respected, something I could be proud of. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t for me. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, to challenging the way things are presented. So I switched to Communications, and that decision changed everything. I became the first African American Culture Writer at The Vermilion, the university’s newspaper. It wasn’t just about writing articles, it was about making sure stories got told that otherwise wouldn’t.
I knew Louisiana wasn’t my final stop. Two months after graduation, I packed up and moved to Atlanta to pursue my MBA at Clark Atlanta University. That’s where I really started connecting the dots between media, politics, and strategy…how the right message at the right time can change the entire conversation. LSU was my last stop to ensure I had the tools to proceed in this direction.
Looking back, every step of my journey has led me here. Katrina made me pay attention. That book report in third grade made me curious. Youth Legislature & public service showed me how decisions get made. The Vermilion showed me the power of media.
And now, I’m using all of it to help shape narratives, push for real change, and make sure the right voices are heard.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think my journey from birth to now has been anything but smooth, lol.
Between Katrina and set backs in between, moving to Atlanta on my own just to encounter a global pandemic was definitely not on my bingo card. Since 2020, I’ve been apart of 1 company acquisition, 3 contract layoffs, and 1 firm restructuring. Even after all of that, I’m still a firm believer in ‘everything happens for a reason.’ After all, my life got better and better through each chapter.
These experiences tested me in ways that I never expected. I was taught how to navigate uncertainty through tragedy and career setbacks, advocate for myself, and pivot when things don’t go as planned. However, every setback that I encountered pushed me towards something greater – which is why I can’t be mad at it. As of today, I’m exactly where I need to be because I refused to let life to push me over the edge.
My faith in God and my unwavering support from my family and close friends is the backbone of my resilience. I’ve been fortunate to have this group of people guide and uplift me throughout every obstacle challenge.
I want to emphasize to everyone that, although social media creates a facade around people’s stories to make them seem perfect, life is never linear and definitely far from perfection. I’m sure you all can relate.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve had the privilege of working across political communications, strategic messaging, and media engagement.
In my previous role, I leveraged these skills to craft compelling narratives that both inform and influence key audiences. My media experience spans traditional and digital platforms, including content creation, press outreach, and campaign strategy. Also, my project management expertise has enabled me to execute high-profile initiatives in economic development and communications with precision, organization, and measurable impact.
In my free time, I run a freelance practice under my LLC, Kyia B. Young, L.C., specializing in journalism, communications strategy, and proposal writing. The name may not be the most creative, but it reflects my personal brand and approach.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
As I’ve moved through my career, I’ve realized it’s not just about me getting ahead, it’s about helping others get there too. I’ve been fortunate to have some great mentors, and now, I feel it’s my turn to offer that guidance. I want to help others, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, find their voice and see that they belong in spaces that might feel out of reach.
I’ve got my sights set on the White House. Honestly, it’s a little wild to think about. When I started, I didn’t even know communications could lead to something like a press secretary role. But seeing Karine Jean-Pierre step into that role sparked something in me that I hadn’t really recognized before. It made me think, “Wait, this is possible. I could do that.” I’ve always been passionate about representation, and from my time at The Vermilion to now, I’ve worked to give a platform to those voices that don’t always get heard. (I’ve always wanted to write for Vogue because of Elaine Welteroth, but that’s a totally different story).
And when it comes to the future, I still hold on to the dream of a woman leading this country. It feels like we were so close, but it’s still a long way to go. But I’m not giving up on that. I know we’ll get there.
Pricing:
- Email me for freelance pricing and scope details!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kyiayoung.com
- Instagram: @whatkyiasaid
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyiayoung
