Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca Rae.
Bianca, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am from a small town outside Chicago and went to the University of Missouri for broadcast journalism. Following graduation, I moved to Palm Springs to be a news reporter and worked my way up to become the morning anchor. I spent nearly eight wonderful years on television there before moving to LA last fall to join Spectrum News 1 as a reporter and now I am so excited to be an anchor on the evening news.
In addition to news, I’m also extremely passionate about giving back to the community. In 2013 I started the Bianca Rae Foundation to be a voice for the voiceless: children and animals. After adopting my rescue dog, Jack, I immersed myself in the community and knew I wanted to use my platform to help causes I was passionate about. I am intrigued by the concept of influence: why it exists in society and how it can be used for good. I’m very aware of people who influence me, and I’ve also always been aware that though on a smaller scale, I have an influence on people being a public figure. I’ve always felt a responsibility to use that for betterment. From my days as a reporter to being an anchor and having a more prominent role in the community, I’ve never thought twice about what I wanted to stand for.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’m not a huge bowler, but there’s one metaphor I will use from the game that describes my life. I truly believe God has given me “bumpers” to keep me on course and bless my path. Early on those “bumpers” were my parents, and as I became an adult, I was blessed to meet the most incredible and caring mentors who took me under their wings. For a long time, I was afraid to admit this, thinking there are people who have gone through such hardships and THOSE are the sharable and admirable stories.
Yet as I grew into myself, I realized that while my path may have been without too many tribulations, it has also given me a rare positive and hopeful outlook on life that is needed in this world. I attribute much of my success to good decision making early on, and those “bumpers”, but I know many kids do not grow up with that. I want to pay that forward not only in my philanthropy but also my journalism.
I remember during an interview, I hugged a teenage girl who was sobbing as she talked with me about her boyfriend who was shot and killed. It’s that level of humanity and connectivity with people I interview that I believe allows them to open up to me and feel comfortable enough to tell me the most authentic version of their story. It’s fulfilling to know people trust me day in and day out to be the one to deliver them their news and community stories.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
As an evening anchor on our 5 PM weekday newscasts, I am a journalist, a storyteller, and a voice for the voiceless. Spectrum News 1 is a 24/7 hyperlocal content network that is focused on delivering news and information that addresses the deeper needs and interests of the diverse communities and neighborhoods throughout Southern California. We are journalists who are representatives of and deeply understand our communities and provide in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to viewers across Southern California.
What sets us apart is we are a hyperlocal news network focused on the stories that are most relevant to our communities. We’re not just covering the community, we’re in it! In November the network will celebrate its one-year anniversary, and we look forward to walking hand in hand with local communities to tell their stories for years to come.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Southern California is the most incredible place to tell stories because there are so many hidden gems of people and places to spotlight! SoCal is a mix of people from all over the world who all have the same love of this beautiful place, and there’s connectivity in that. Whether it’s a restaurateur who has the most inspiring American Dream story, a dedicated employee who worked their way to get off the streets or a celebrity using their platform to make change in our community, it is a journalist’s dream to work in LA and tell these kinds of stories.
Contact Info:
- Website: SpectrumNews1.com
- Instagram: @OfficialBiancaRae
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