We recently connected with Karina Yapor and have shared our conversation below.
Karina , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
One of the biggest trends I’ve seen in the media industry in the past few years is the victimization of certain groups. Minorities such as the Hispanic and African American communities are constantly told that they’re oppressed and not treated fairly in this country. As a Latin woman and immigrant myself, I truly believe that this kind of approach, far from helping, is holding our communities back.
Karina , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am originally from the city of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México. I have five, yes, five beautiful children (one of them diagnosed with autism) that I fully take care of after I divorced several years ago. My professional career began here in the US, fifteen years ago. I worked for Telemundo, in El Paso, Tx, where I had the amazing opportunity, as a producer, to create and launch our very first Newscast in the area.
In November of 2014, I took over a new professional challenge as I became the Morning News Anchor for Univision in Dallas. A few months later, I was chosen by the company to be the female News Anchor for the Texas Regional Morning Newscast airing live from Houston. The show was live for four years in the lone star state’s “Big Four”: Houston, Dallas, Austin & San Antonio, creating a huge impact on the Latino community.
For almost 8 years I worked from either 12 am to 8 am or 1 am to 9 am, Monday through Friday, sounds crazy huh? At this point, you might be wondering how I was able to manage my professional career and my mom/dad duties (with five children). Well, let me tell you I’m still trying to figure that out myself. But of course, I don’t regret it at all, because that effort allowed me to work while my children slept, take naps while my kids were at school, and finally be with them as they came back home. I truly believe that one of the biggest mistakes a woman can make, while pursuing a professional career, is leaving the education and values of their children in someone else’s hands. There’s nothing more important than our children’s lives.
Through these 15 years of my journalistic career, I’ve had many joys and priceless experiences along the way. However, especially in recent years, I have witnessed the values of the Hispanic community get left out.
For that reason, this past May I took on the challenge to join the founding team of VOZ Media led by Orlando Salazar as an Executive producer/News Anchor. VOZ is a news platform whose main goal is to reconnect the Hispanic community with their conservative values of faith, family, and gratitude for this country. Being the new kid on the block in such a competitive industry is most definitely a big challenge, but our values are something worth fighting for.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I’ve faced many challenges in my life that if it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be here today. Getting divorced with five children, (one of them with autism), and becoming the only provider for them was extremely difficult. Most of my kids were very little, they weren’t fully aware of the difficult situation we were going through. I didn’t have any money, any savings, anything to rely on. My oldest one became my little helper and was the one who gave me the strength to keep going. Even when he was just a kid, he always said to me: mom you taught me how to trust God and have faith, don’t lose yours. In the hardest moments of uncertainty and pain, that little boy kept me from giving up.
Through the hardest moments, we see the greatest things in life: who our real friends are, what we can live without, and above all that God really listens to our prayers. Through the difficulty, He brought an angel named Lorrie Castaneda into our life. For months she took care of us until I finally made it back to the surface.
When you are broken, it’s hard to keep going, but I’ve learned that just because you have fallen to the ground, it doesn’t mean you’re defeated, you’re only defeated the moment you stop pushing. Don’t let your pain be wasted, God can use it for your and others’ well-being.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
It is a waste to live a life without a purpose. God prepares us through our experiences not only for us to be able to succeed but to create an impact in others’ lives. My new professional challenge with the creation of VOZ MEDIA has everything to do with my purpose: positively impacting others.
Contact Info:
- Website: Voz.us
- Instagram: @karinayapor. @vozmediausa
- Facebook: @karinayaporoficial. @vozmediausa
- Linkedin: @karinayapor. @vozmediausa
- Twitter: @karinayapor @vozmediausa
- Youtube: @karinayaporoficial. @vozmediausa