Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Skinner
Maya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I always enjoyed reading and writing. I loved English class and writing my own stories, poems and plays. While my mommy worked or ran errands, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ house where my grandma would tell me, “you can do anything you set your mind to.” We would read so many books together and she’d even help me with my essays for school. I remember watching a lot of Oprah and Montell Williams and seeing how their words and stories would impact the audience and viewers they had. I think a pivotal moment for me was in middle school watching The Devil Wears Prada and the Bratz: Rock Angels movie. Both of those movies have these characters that really glamorized the magazine industry and the adventures in covering entertainment, fashion and beauty. So I set my sights on becoming a journalist, and joined my high school’s newspaper The Falcon Flyer at Bishop Dunne Catholic School.
I went to college at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communication in 2018. My first job was a production assistant for Mizzou’s KOMU 8 News and in my spare time, reporting on the weekends. After making my first demo reel, I attended a journalism conference, where I was able to get my second news job at WSIL-TV in southern Illinois. I spent two years reporting and anchoring there during the beginning of the pandemic era. To get more reporting experience and possibly closer to NYC, I worked for a year in Buffalo, NY at FOX29. I covered various topics including the Buffalo Bills, major school district headline stories and the mass shooting at the Tops Friendly Markets. I also spent some time reporting and anchoring in West Texas.
In 2024, I decided to come back home to DeSoto, TX and forge my own path in media and become an entrepreneur. It was bound to happen anyways because my grandfather, James May, is the co-founder and a franchise owner of William’s Chicken and my mommy, Veronique Skinner, has made me her co-operator of our new fast-food restaurant The Tater Shack, which is opening later this Spring. We are family of businessowners and I’m excited to be her Social Media Manager and connect with the DeSoto and surrounding communities. I’ve also launched my own podcast, The Maya Skinner Show where I showcase other entrepreneurs, artists, and politicians. My long-term goal is to be this generation’s Oprah: a media personality you can tune into on my TikTok and YouTube platforms, your go-to host for events in the DFW area, and more.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think I’ve spent a lot my life with a chip on my shoulder, I’ve dealt with bullying throughout my childhood, my voice wasn’t the typical news reporter voice, and just dealt with miserable co-workers who gave me hard times on the job.
But I think being different helps you stand out. Believe in yourself.
I want readers to know, that as a 30-year-old, you really can do anything and it’s never too late to start over and chase your dreams. You’re stronger than you think! I believe God has a plan and I’m so excited for where this path takes me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m using my reporter and anchor skills to be a local media personality and manage The Tater Shack’s social media pages.
I’m also a content creator, where I focus on lifestyle, beauty and fashion surrounding my love for the color pink.
My revived passion for TikTok and YouTube came around 2023/2024, documenting day in the life, get ready with me and haul videos. I’m most proud that my videos attracted the attention of Paris Hilton after doing a TikTok with some of her kitchen sets.
I recently launched my podcast, The Maya Skinner Show, where you’ll get my own take on DFW news and national headlines as well as guests who are entrepreneurs, artists, politicians, athletes and others.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Please reach out to my email mayaskinner200@gmail.com to be featured on my show and collaborate and follow my social media pages to support my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mayaskinner.wordpress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mayanicoleeee/?igsh=MW13MW0xNjZ5c204cQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557389687377
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-skinner-73851216b/
- Twitter: https://x.com/_MayaSkinnerTV
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mayanicoleeee
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@_mayanicoleeee?_t=8m1ukywgzbb&_r=1
