WBAY-TV news anchor Aisha Morales is the WBA Young Professional of the Month for the month of September.
The WBA Young Professional of the Month is a nominee for the WBA Young Professional of the Year Award. The award seeks to recognize young broadcasters who have made a significant impact on their stations and communities. A subcommittee of the WBA Board of Directors will select the Young Professional of the Year, who will be recognized at the 2025 WBA Summer Conference on June 18 in La Crosse.
Aisha was nominated by fellow WBAY-TV anchor Emerson Lehmann who wrote of Aisha, “Aisha is the definition of a ‘team player’ when it comes to the WBAY newsroom. Over the past year, she has led the charge in our new ‘Safety’ campaign, bringing new and innovative content to our viewers every morning from our First Alert Safety Desk. She has set the standard for Gray Television and many Gray stations around the state, and even the country, have reached out to her for guidance as they start their own versions of the concept.”
“Not only does Aisha do all of this work well, she does it proudly. She serves as a mentor to younger reporters and anchors and is a voice of reason in what can be a hectic profession.”
Here’s more about Aisha:
Company: WBAY-TV 2
Position: First Alert Safety Desk Anchor
Years at station: 8 years
Started in broadcasting (year): 2011
- How did you get into broadcasting?
I always lost myself in reading and writing as a kid. I loved reading newspapers too, and knowing what was going on in the world. In high school, a local TV news anchor spoke to my class and a lightbulb went off in my head. I knew at an early age that I was destined to be a writer or journalist, but it was that “ah-ha!” moment that sent me down the path of researching what it takes to get there. I was fortunate to live in Arizona, home of one of the most prestigious journalism schools in the country, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I graduated from the program in 2011. It is an honor to be a “Cronkite Kid.”
- How do you view the role of young professionals in broadcasting?
It’s about building each other up. Learning and growing together in a fast-paced career and society. Young professionals in broadcasting are the future and we have such a big responsibility of carrying on the journalism excellence that came before us. We can’t do this job without working together and helping to create well-rounded/informed communities.
I work alongside the best in the business who inspire me every day.
- What advice would you give to other young broadcasters?
My advice is to not be so hard on yourself. This job can be hard. I am a huge mental health awareness advocate. This job can be tough – but you are tougher. One great piece of advice I received from a mentor and friend was “remember your ‘why.’” Why are you in broadcasting? Why do you love this job? Why do you still do it?
Always remember your ‘WHY.’ Most importantly, take care of yourself.
If you step with gratitude, grace, and learn from your mistakes, you will be successful. Challenge yourself to learn from each day, and never be afraid to ask for help.
- What does the future of broadcasting look like to you?
To me, the future of broadcasting looks diverse. Diverse in technology and diverse in the people. It is already changing. I think our audiences want more authentic conversations and coverage. We have focused on our digital platforms lately through livestreaming – and I can tell, that is what the future looks like. We can still inform our communities and relay important information, but in a new, extended, and fresh way.
