Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyla L. Wright.
Hi Kyla L., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Where do I start? Growing up, I was always overly ambitious. I was always the kid in the class who’d finish her work first, and I even recall on multiple occasions, my teachers having me grade other students’ work, or play games on the classroom desktop while others finished. Looking back on experiences like that as a kindergartner (yes, really) at Detroit’s Old Redford Academy, they set me up to always stand out. I would cry if I got an A- or God forbid a B on a test, assignment or my report card: that “extra-hard-on-myself” trait is one that I fully attribute to my late maternal grandmother, Ninotchka Jackson, who taught me how to read and use the computer at age 3, would take me on weekly trips to the Detroit Public Library to read books to her aloud, and learn the Scripps Spelling Bee words published in the newspaper: if I did any of them incorrectly or ineffectively, I’d get a stern talking to, and to avoid those, I tried my best to get things correctly as quickly as possible. Was it always healthy for a young child? Maybe not; but it taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance and striving toward excellence, and for those lessons, I’m forever indebted to her. For every accomplishment in my adulthood, I can relate it to a moment and/or lesson rooted in my childhood. They all show me that life truly is full circle.
Here is a breakdown:
– Every day after school, I’d love eating dinner and watching Rhonda Walker, Diana Lewis or Glenda Lewis on Detroit’s local news stations with my parents and/or my grandma. One of the ways that I learned how to read, was by reading the Detroit Free Press while sitting on my grandmother’s lap. Over a decade later, I have a bachelors and masters degree in journalism and my first job out of college was as a reporter at the Free Press.
– I always play back in my mind, my parents – my mother with a bachelors degree, and father who completed some college – and my grandmother – who never went to college – telling me, “don’t be like us, be better.” In the next two to three years, I will be the first doctor in my family.
– In the fourth grade, I was nominated by one of my teachers to go to Europe for two weeks, as a People to People Student Ambassador and about a year later a was a part of a cohort of students from America who traveled to England and France with said ambassador program. Now, as we speak, I am conducting doctoral research with primary and secondary schools in Tanzania, East Africa.
– As an eighth grader, I said I “thought it’d be cool” if I participated in the pageant, “Little Miss PACE,” at my school, Southfield’s PACE Academy. Over a decade later, I won Miss Michigan North America and ultimately won – and am – Miss North America 2024, preparing to crown the next Miss North America in a few days.
These are just a few examples; but furthermore, I am a living example of the combination of what God’s grace, manifestation and a strong village will bring into fruition.
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 know it’s a cliche, but it’s true: nothing worth having, is going to come easy. And that, is a central theme of my life. Being a part of a social media-fueled generation, it’s easy to assume that people who are ambitious or accomplished don’t come with adversities. Speaking for myself, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Online is often the highlight reel of what we want people to see, but they don’t see the tears cried when you don’t get the job; when your doctor calls with the diagnosis that will change the trajectory of your life; when friends turned their backs on you; when the car accident immobilizes you for nearly a year; when you endured racism and sexism; when your anxiety kept you up at night; or when your imposter syndrome crippled you beyond self-recognition. They just see the photos smiling; the acceptance letters; the motivational speeches; the awards won; the quotes reposted; the feature stories and the jet setting.
Two of my greatest accomplishments to date, are starting my Ph.D., and winning Miss North America: in the same year. I was on cloud nine and there was nothing that could or would take me down… I thought. A month after winning Miss North America and a few weeks before starting my doctoral program, I found myself in the hospital. Ironically, earlier that day, I visited the Detroit Lions Training Camp as Miss North America: I was in a full face of makeup, a sequined Lions dress, crown and sash; I was smiling, hugging and taking photos with fellow Lions fans, but I didn’t look like what I felt like. A few hours later, I was in the emergency room in debilitating pain with tears running down my face, barely able to explain to doctors what was wrong, I just knew I was hurting…bad. After several tests and referrals to doctors, I was discharged with a big, “I don’t know what’s wrong with you.” For months, I’d have flare ups of pain, fatigue and overall sickness that kept me from going to class and having to postpone other personal and professional obligations. I was going from doctor to doctor to doctor with pain and frustration building. Seven months later, I received a phone call from the rheumatologist I’d seen the week before with news that elicited bittersweet feelings inside: “you have lupus.” Since receiving that phone call, I’ve understandably had good and not-so-good days, but they’re my days to have, and for them, I’m grateful. I’m grateful to be able to tell my story, to tell others that every day is not going to be easy, but telling your story will surely resonate with someone, and that is what keeps me going.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m not sure if it’s easier to answer what do I do, or what don’t I do, haha! I’m a Ph.D. student at Michigan State University, I’m a pageant queen: Miss North America 2024, I’m a journalism and communications professional and I’m a serial entrepreneur of both for-profits and a nonprofit organization. At their core, most of the things that I do involve community, communications and/or creativity. As a Ph.D. student, I research the way that Black women are represented in the media, from the way we wear our hair and how it impacts our internalized images of beauty; to using storytelling as a tool to improve literacy of youth in Black communities. As Miss North America, I’m always connecting to people whether it’s talking to students about my journey, giving a keynote speech, collecting and donating toys for local families or visiting an elementary school to let little Black girls know that if I could do “it,” they can, too. As a journalist, I’ve written for several publications from ESPN and ESSENCE to the Detroit Free Press; and started my own digital marketing and PR agency for pageant queens, Crown & Prestige PR. My mother and I have an event planning company, Ninotchka & Co., my nonprofit organization, Operation S.A.S.H. advocates for, assists and raises awareness for survivors of sexual assault, I’m a national ambassador for the Lupus Foundation of America and the American Cancer Society and I’m a content creator for multiple lifestyle, food, sports and nonprofit brands. I’m extremely proud of each of these steps I’ve made in my life, because they all represent me holistically, and that’s also what sets me apart from others. From every peak and valley, I know that my purpose is to be a connector, no matter the environment. I’m a chameleon. I’m adaptable and proud of my ever-changing journey and the ability to touch multiple people, through my work, in each phase; whether it’s with a shiny crown on my head, telling my own story, or listening to and/or writing someone else’s. None of it is work to me, because I love everything I do and the people I meet while doing it.
What are your plans for the future?
I get this question often, and the best answer that I have for now is: only time will tell… at least long-term. In the near future, I will be launching my nonprofit organization, Operation S.A.S.H.: Sexual Assault Stops Here; a call to action: to Stop secrecy, demand Accountability, offer Support and Healing for survivors of sexual assault of all ages. Operation S.A.S.H. has been my community service initiative in every pageant I’ve competed in since 2016. Now, it is time to continue and expand this work. Operation S.A.S.H. is officially a 501(c)3 organization, and I’m extremely proud to be hosting the official launch, the “It’s Okay to KNOT be Okay” sneaker ball, in Detroit on October 18, 2025. Feel free to follow my organization on Instagram @operationsash for my updates, details on the launch, other events, and resources for survivors. In addition, I’m entering into my second year of my Ph.D. program, and am looking forward to continuing my research on media representations of Black women as well as connecting literacy in Black communities through journalism. Is there more? Absolutely. So I will summarize by saying, this queen will continue to do queen things whether she has a crown atop her head, or not. Stay tuned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kylawrites.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kylawrightmedia
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kylalwright
