Reyna Harvey didn’t let the media define how she would wear her hair

How has your journey in the media been?

My journey in the media has been nothing short of amazing. The diverse people I have encountered during my career have all played a role in shaping my perception of life in a major way. My love of journalism and storytelling has taken me to several corners of the world.

 I have lived on the West Coast,East Coast, Midwest and traveled out of the country to cover stories along the way. I currently work in the Bay Area as a Traffic Anchor where I was born and raised. 

I have worn several different hats in my career from Anchor, Weather and Sports Anchor to Reporter, each position teaching me the importance of versatility. I learned to shoot and edit my own stories and run my own live shots without a photographer. I started my professional career as the morning reporter covering breaking and current news events in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. I remember one of my first stories in my small market went viral during my first week on air. I was mortified at the time because I believed I had done something wrong due to all the attention it was getting, but it helped me realize overtime that there was nothing I couldn’t handle after this. 

After my time in the midwest, I accepted a job in Bakersfield, California to be closer to family, While there I worked as a Reporter, Anchor and Weather Anchor. I covered everything imaginable including the raging wildfires and mudslides across the state, including politics,sports,crime, and weather.    

Prior to these on air roles I was laying the groundwork, I worked as an intern in the communications department at The White House and for the Mayor of Riverside. During my time at The White House, I worked closely with the broadcast team, helping craft the message of the President to the American people. During my time working in the broadcast department, I met many seasoned reporters who offered mentorship and inspired me to continue pursuing my dream of a career in broadcast journalism.

Before the White House opportunity while receiving a degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside, I worked as a news assistant at KABC in Los Angeles, where I fell in love with journalism and storytelling. At KABC, I helped produce content for the hourly newscasts, and worked on the assignment desk. I also worked in production for networks including, The Oprah Winfrey Network, PBS, The Arsenio Hall Show, and KTLA Channel 5 News in Hollywood. I am also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists which I feel has helped me build life-long friendships and find mentorship. 

Do you have any new anchors, reporters or journalists you look up to?

There are several legendary journalists who have paved the way who I admire greatly. 

Oprah Winfrey being one of them, I admire her drive, passion, and her ability to connect with the soul in people who she interviews. It is so effortless for her, Oprah went from being a reporter, to a nationally syndicated talk show host even after they tried to demote her. She now owns her

own network, which I was fortunate to work for during the beginning of my career. Oprah has laid the blueprint for what is possible if you trust in yourself and lean on faith. 

I also admire Sara Snider who also worked here in San Francisco during her career. She currently anchors her own show at CNN. I have watched her cover some of the most amazing moments on air from war torn countries overseas to civil unrest and protests here in the United States.  

What are some obstacles you faced and overcame?

I remember when I first decided I wanted to Anchor in one of my first on-air jobs it seemed like I would always get overlooked. I remember being told I would get the chance and when the time came someone else was given the opportunity. Often the person they selected had less experience than me. When I expressed my frustration to a mentor, who was well meaning in their advice, they told me that I needed to lose weight and I needed to close my gap because it was going to be harder for me to occupy that role if I did not.

I remember feeling really upset by this advice because I felt like I was being told I needed to change who I was in order to pursue a role I felt I was qualified to do. I continued to push and advocate for myself and was finally given the chance. This taught me you should never have to change who you are at your core in order to receive an opportunity that you know you are qualified to do. Yes, health and image is an important part of the career field I am in but it should not close doors for you before you are given an opportunity because the world is a diverse place with people of all shapes, colors and sizes.  

I also remember how nervous I felt before I wore my braids on air. I had gone years wearing wigs and I did not see many other seasoned journalists who I admired wearing natural or protective hairstyles on air and I thought I needed to keep my hair in a certain style in order to be given an opportunity. Once I moved back home to the Bay Area, I remember telling my News Director I wanted to wear braids and he was very supportive of my desire to wear my hair in a protective style. I wore them a week before a vacation and never took them out when I returned.I received so much outpouring of love from viewers who appreciated that I was able to show up to work so authentically myself that it overshadowed all the negative hate filled comments I received regarding my hair and appearance. This taught me no matter what style you choose to wear there is nothing unprofessional about wearing your hair how you like on air. 

Did you ever have moments where you wanted to quit? What kept you going? 

I have never wanted to quit, because I love the work I do, and I feel like it is such an integral part of who I am. I worked so hard to manifest everything I am doing today and when you put in the work it’s not easy to forget the journey that led you to this moment. I always remember my why on days that are more challenging for me, the reason why I started, this is what keeps me going. I started because I knew telling stories and being of service to the community is the reason why I started in the first place. I knew that representation was so important. When I                                                                                                                                                                     think of all the stories that would not have been told if I had not pushed for them to be told, I am reminded why it is so important for me to do the work I am doing. 

What are some of the major misconceptions people have about working in the media?

I think some think that a lot less time and preparation goes into what we do. This is a career that doesn’t just shut off after you are off work. I personally am always in some way keeping up with the current news of the day locally and around the world.

People will often ask me, “So when you are not on screen, what are you doing,”I tell them, as a  team of reporters, producers,assignment editors we are all working around the clock doing research, confirming information, making phone calls, building graphics, cutting video, preparing scripts, and building a show. 

I have also heard people tell me that they are sure I have a huge makeup, hair and wardrobe team and that is also not true. I have had to become my own makeup artist, stylist for all the years I have been working in news. This teaches you to become creative, practice and Youtube have really helped me with my on-air look. 

What advice would you give someone, especially a black woman trying to break into the industry

I would say always stay true to yourself. Your voice, your creativity and passion is needed in this space. Live in your truth and be who you are, show up authentically in all ways. At times, you may feel as if your opinions are dismissed but you absolutely deserve a seat at the table. Your perspective is just as important as anyone else. I would also say keep a supportive team of friends, colleagues and mentors around you to encourage you along your journey.