Khadijah Torbert
age: 24
hometown: Opelika, AL
career: My journey into journalism after college led me to Mobile, AL, where I became a news producer and fill-in sideline sports reporter for WKRG News Channel 5. I recently began my second job as a producer and reporter with WVUA 23 News, located inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. My main duties are to produce newscasts and report. I pitch story ideas to the producer and news director, and I go after the stories if they approve. I set up interviews, gather media related to the story, and come back to the station to edit the material and piece it together. Currently I am a Master’s degree candidate for the Sports Business Management program at The University of Alabama. I see myself working in some capacity on the collegiate or professional level of sports communication after obtaining this degree.
growing up: My parents made sure my older brother and I never went without, and they always pushed me to my greatest potential. The desire they instilled in me to become a hardworking, intelligent, spiritual, outspoken African-American young woman of character has opened doors for me all throughout my life. I’m forever indebted to them, and they’ve shown me through all 24 years of my life just what unconditional love is.
education: I attended Troy University. My first college acceptance letter was from The University of Alabama, but college is not cheap and scholarship money was not coming in like I thought it would. My second acceptance letter came from South Alabama, followed by UAB. They’re all great schools, but nothing felt like “home”. My dad, a two-time graduate of Troy University, suggested that I go visit Troy’s main campus. I immediately fell in love— I applied the following week, got accepted, and was blessed to obtain two forms of financial aid over a four year period. While a freshman at Troy, I changed my major twice. I went from wanting to study dentistry to business. Going into my sophomore year, I changed my major for the final time to broadcast journalism and business marketing.
secret to success: Don’t let anyone rush your timing. Remember: It’s a marathon, not a sprint. There is no set age for when you are supposed to have your life together.
advice for teens: College is what you make it. Every time someone asks me if I enjoyed my time at Troy, I gleam because I had the best time, learned so much about myself and others, lost a few friends along the way, gained even better friends, and had fun. Each season, semester, and year taught me so much about myself.
can’t live without:
- Jesus
- Hot Chocolate
- Sweet Tea
fun fact: My name comes from Queen Latifah’s character in the popular 90’s show “Living Single.”
