Katiera Winfrey
Throughout November, the Herd will highlight local leaders across various professions, showcasing how they navigate career pressures and maintain their mental health in an effort to #StressLess. This week’s feature is Katiera Winfrey, a multicultural reporter who breaks down barriers and gives voice to diverse communities.
Katiera Winfrey, a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, graduated from Texas Southern University with a degree in broadcast journalism. In the last decade, she has worked in multiple news markets in Texas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, covering breaking news, general assignment news and special reports. Since taking on the role of multicultural reporter for WISH-TV in 2019, she has been able to give voice to diverse communities in central Indiana.
Being a journalist is challenging due to constant competing deadlines and the never-ending need to sort through and share information. Katiera noted the daily difficulty of identifying stories that fit within her focus and the challenge of accumulating all the elements needed to present a full report. She often gives herself personal deadlines to control the stress of multiple assignments being due simultaneously. Sometimes, she even relies on timers to keep her on track.
Working in a fast-paced career demands intentional self-care. Katiera highlighted the importance of taking time to decompress. “If it's been an exceptionally hard week, I totally tap out on the weekends to give myself time to breathe and regroup,” she said. “Sometimes, I just need to unplug from everything.” Managing stress sometimes requires some additional help. Katiera has found that leaning on therapy and her circle of friends and family keeps her grounded.
Even though journalism can be stressful, Katiera is fulfilled and motivated by her career. “The most rewarding part is simply being able to have a platform to do these stories,” she shared. Katiera is inspired by the opportunity to bring stories to light that resonate with her spirit. She also finds her ever-changing schedule engaging, allowing her to continuously learn and experience new things. “The fact that each day is new and I'm allowed to have creativity keeps me doing this work,” she said.
To keep up with Katiera, you can visit her website or follow her on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. To learn more about her work at WISH-TV, visit wishtv.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
