Sabirah Rayford

KPRC 2, the NBC affiliate, Houston, Tx.

Sept. 2021- Present, Anchor/ Reporter

• Anchor live weekend morning newscasts with energy and enthusiasm. While, working alongside co-anchor or solo to deliver clear and concise information to the community.

• Conducting live interviews in studio, speaking with political analysts, community leaders or local business owners.

• Working alongside news producers to brainstorm and execute creative, innovative ways to deliver relevant information to our viewers, while increasing viewership, especially in the 25-55 demo.

• Frequently fill-in on weekday newscasts, including morning, midday and evening broadcasts.

• Fill-in as co-host for "Houston Life," the station's lifestyle show. 

• Work with photojournalists to tell accurate stories centered around social issues in the community.

• Built an engaging social media profile with thousands of active followers.

 

WPTV-TV, the NBC affiliate, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Nov. 2017- Aug. 2021, Multimedia Reporter/ Fill-in Anchor

• Presented enterprise stories daily and produced special projects for TV and online for WPTV. Wrote, shot and edited compelling stories centered around visual storytelling. 

• Posted web stories/pictures/video from both the field and television station.

• Gathered information through exclusive sources, interviews, research and daily beat checks.

• Anchored both morning and evening newscasts. 

• Built relationships with government officials, law enforcement and community members, specifically tourism, business and economic professionals. 

• Helped launch a statewide special on race relations for Scripps Media.

• Maintained an ongoing calendar of events and an engaging social media presence.

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WKYT-TV, the CBS affiliate, Lexington, Ky. Oct. 2015- Oct. 2017

Reporter, fill-in anchor and web producer

• Report, shot video, edited video, posted web stories/pictures/video from both the field and television station to deliver compelling stories.

• Delivered scripted and ad-lib material with professionalism and purpose while anchoring newscasts 

• Wrote, edited and reported content for wkyt.com while working closely with producers, reporters and digital executive producer to promote best practices and grow social influence. Posted web stories, pictures and other content for WKYT, WKYT.com and its related platforms.

• Assisted in gathering information, making beat checks, and generating compelling news content for wkyt.com.

 

UK Student News Network Aug. 2012 - April 2016

Reporter/Producer/Anchor                                                       

• Reported, anchored and produced live daily newscasts on Channel 16 in the Lexington, Kentucky DMA.

• Independently shot, edited and packaged stories for newscast. Wrote stories, cut SOTS/VOSOTS on deadline. Potential DMA reach of 200,000 homes.

 

ESPNU Campus Connection Oct. 2014- Oct. 2015

Reporter/Photographer

• Served as a SEC Recap Reporter. Interviewed other students about their experiences with ESPNU Campus Connection and helped produce a package that aired on SEC's website. 

• Assisted in the production of a live sports broadcast for ESPNU at the University of Kentucky.

• Assigned by Senior Production Manager to take pictures for the official ESPNU Facebook page and Website.

• Assisted with talent needs, video and audio production.

 

UK Athletics Lexington, Ky. Aug. 2014-May 2015

Media Relations Intern/ Sports Reporter

• Transcribed player and coach interviews at media days and post game.

• Assisted with the production of UK Football and Basketball games.

• Wrote, shot, edited video and interview players for UK Athletics "Cat Scratches Blog."

 

WKYT-TV, the CBS affiliate, Lexington, Ky. Aug. 2013- Jan. 2014

Sports Intern

• Edited video for live news sports broadcast, assisting with the production of the show.

• Conducted and logged interviews during Kentucky’s Basketball and Football Media days.

• Hosted and edited pre-game sports package for Pelicans vs. Wizards NBA preseason game.

 

Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky Student Newspaper Jan. 2013 – May 2013

Sports Reporter

• Researched and conducted interviews for sports related stories.

• Collected stats, wrote and edited all track and field stories.

 

Sideline Reporter

Niles Media Group, Kansas City, Missouri (2012)

• Reported live on the sideline at high school men's basketball games for KSMO Channel 62.

• Conducted live interviews with players and coaches.

Metro Sports, Kansas City, Missouri (2011-2012)

• Reported live on the sideline at high school football games for Metro Sports TV.

• Conducted live interviews with players and coaches for pre-game and post-game show.

 

435 South Magazine, Overland Park, Kansas (2011-2012)

Broadcast Journalism and Media Intern

• Shot and edited video packages for website and Facebook page, promoting upcoming stories in the magazine.

• Served as official reporter for Ex-NFL star Eddie Kennison's Lupus Foundation Event and official reporter for “Tasty Tuesday.”

• Helped to generate story ideas at meetings, performed various research and editorial task that assisted in the production of the magazine’s website and Facebook page.

 

BVTV, Overland Park, Kansas (2010-2012)

• Produced and anchored live news and sportscast shows.

• Wrote anchor scripts, shot and edited video packages.

• Received a national award from NSPA for a feature story on a high school dropout, gang member who became an honor roll student and anti-violence advocate.