Phenomenal Woman of the Month: Nia Wesley

Nia Wesley 

Age: 23 

Occupation: Digital Journalist 

The University of Texas at Austin 

Nia Wesley, Digital Media, KENS-5 TV San Antonio, TX

1. What does Phenomenal Woman mean to you? 

She is someone who wakes up every day motivated and striving to be a little better than they were the day before. She constantly sets goals challenging herself and is rooted in a community of supportive people around her. 

2. What is your brand and how did you get started? 

My brand is still being developed, but I want it to scream confidence, creativity, and passion! I got my start in journalism during my junior year of high school writing for my community newspaper.  

3. What is your dream goal and how do you plan on achieving it? 

My ultimate goal would be to report/anchor for a national news outlet and impact society in a progressive manner. I also want to be able to use my platform the help at-risk adolescent women in poor neighborhoods make it to college and/or forge their own paths. On top of that, I want to start my own social media company. 

4. Name a moment that inspired you to feel more confident and inspired you to be comfortable in the skin you are in.   

I grew up with a dad who constantly told me how beautiful, perfect, and smart I was so I can usually get myself out of moments of low confidence and self-worth. With that being said, I am still a woman in the era of Instagram and sometimes I do struggle with my body image, I just try to remember that I can only be the best version of Nia and that starts within.  

Nia with actor and stuntman, Steve O at KENS-5 Studios

A moment that made me feel extremely confident was when I interviewed the president of my University on a whim for a story I was working on during my sophomore year of college. I was really nervous but I killed it and got a great answer out of him and my professor was really proud of me. That gave me confidence that I could ask a powerful person tough questions and stand my ground as a young journalist. That moment was so crucial and important for me because in this industry you have to be fearless. 

5. Name a person (dead or alive) that you look up to and why?

Gloria Steinem because she's simply a badass. She's made strides for women everywhere and she started out as a journalist just like me. Her tactics and fearless way of doing things set a precedent for activism and fair journalism that really held feet to the fire. 

Nia celebrating Fiesta in San Antonio 

6. When it comes to being a woman, what do you feel should be the three core values that a lady should uphold?  

Staying true to herself and never living on someone else's terms. Know who you are while standing on your own two feet. 

7. Favorite quote and what it means to you?    

"She believed she could, so she did." - R.S. Grey.  

For me, this quote exemplifies the fact that by just simply believing in yourself, you can get yourself absolutely anywhere you want in life. And if you don't fully believe in yourself, fake it until you make it. 

8. Piece of advice that you would give to young girls who aren't confident with themselves? 

 Work on positive affirmations every morning before you walk out the door. Do things that make you happy and put yourself first! Know that even if you didn't have the most ideal upbringing you are worthy and phenomenal just by being you.