HBCU Times Magazine-Winter 2025 Issue

K ris Kaylin describes herself as a charismatic creative with a resilient spirit that has sustained her throughout various trials in her professional career. As a 2016 graduate of South Carolina State University and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kaylin has made significant strides in the media industry with notable appearances on TMZ, Billboard, Complex Magazine and The Shade Room, in addition to guest hosting The Breakfast Club. Through a renowned digital presence, she has opened doors for Black women to expand their virtual platforms to millions across the internet. “South Carolina State was like the best decision I ever made; I am a second-generation Bulldog,” Kaylin said with pride. “My mom went to South Carolina State; and

when she enrolled, she became the first Black woman at South Carolina State to get a full ride scholarship to play basketball.” Her mother made a name for herself as a star on the women’s basketball team; and once Kaylin got to campus, she was faced with the question of how she would chart her own path. “One guy, he was from Chicago, and he was just kind of like, ‘are you going to use your mom’s legacy, or are you going to make your own legacy?’ And at that time, it stuck out to me, and I was like, you know what? You’re right,” Kaylin said. She was inspired by popular networks like MTV and BET, which encouraged her to switch her major from business marketing to broadcast journalism—a decision that would eventually lead her to create a hit show on campus

entitled “Bulldog Bite” that would garner over 80,000 views on YouTube. The confidence and momentum Kaylin developed from its success prepared her for the roles she now holds as a host for Diva Talk, What Was Said podcast, Princess Diary and In the Loop, which she envisioned and brought to life on her social media pages. Through each outlet, Kaylin believes she is propelling the next generation of artists to express themselves through digital media. “I feel like we just kind of had a new age Harlem Renaissance when we realized that if no one’s going to tell our story, we’re going to tell our story. So I think that’s the beauty in having Black media,” Kaylin said.

Twitter, Instagram, of these things, you just really realize the power that we hold when we tell these stories.” Her storytelling journey has been rewarding thus far, as she was honored as one of Charleston’s “40 Pros to Know” in 2023 and was a 2024 recipient of the Mu Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.’sScroll of Honor, along with the Blue Note Black Excellence Award. In 2022, she was named an Honors in Black honoree and became a member of South Carolina State University’s inaugural “Top 40 Under 40” class. Kaylin’s goal is to continue inspiring other like-minded people and creating compelling narratives online.

“We can make videos and create content about us. TikTok, Black

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