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Nia Wong is a TV anchor and investigative reporter in Spokane, Washington! She has covered major national news stories, as well as local stories in both Spokane and Las Vegas! Her curious nature and natural storytelling and writing abilities make her the perfect person to highlight stories in the communities she serves. Keep reading to find out more about what makes Nia an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Name: Nia Wong
Heritage:Chinese & Korean
Hometown:SF Bay Area
Current City:Spokane, WA
Current Project: Evening Anchor/Investigative Reporter
What are some of your favorite credits/projects?
Though I’ve covered major national news, it’s always the sweet local stories that stick with me. A high school student with autism who made the cheerleading team, a long retired teacher who shared her first teaching assignment in a Japanese American concentration camp, and I could just go on. I love stories highlighting the everyday heroes that live among us.
What are some interesting facts about yourself?
I was once cast in a Hilary Swank film and even filmed a few scenes. Still haven’t watched the movie, so I have no idea if I made the cut!
Any advice for young people getting into the arts?
Get ready for a lot of rejection and for people that don’t understand you. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s definitely not a straight line, but it’s possible as long as you work hard and believe you can do it.
Who do you admire?
My grandparents. They all lived such remarkable and different lives through WWII. My Chinese grandfather was living in North Dakota when he was drafter into the American Army, my Chinese grandmother was on the run from the Japanese in Southern China, and my Korean grandmother was a daughter of high society in the Annexation of Korea by Japan. They all came out of it as kind and caring people. I really do admire anyone who can still remain soft despite surviving such tough circumstances.
What skills did you find to be the most helpful in your career?
Curiosity and courage
When did you know you wanted to have a career in journalism?
Since I was in middle school. I always enjoyed writing and knew I wanted to do something meaningful with my life. I originally grew up wanting to be a print reporter and I got a little bit of that done in my life before transitioning into broadcasting.
How do you pick the stories you report on and what goes into putting a story together?
A lot of it comes from my interaction with the community. I love picking the minds of taxi drivers, school teachers, and long-time locals to see how their neighborhoods have changed. My investigative stories involve lots of data, public record, and meetings.
What have you found is the biggest challenge in your career?
Sometimes TV news is cutthroat and the naysayers did get me down, but I bounced back up and kept working at my craft.
Where did you study at?
University of California, Irvine (Zot! Zot! To my fellow Anteaters!)
What are some goals you hope to achieve?
I would love to take my storytelling abilities abroad someday.
What do you love most about what you do?
The ability to connect with the community, help them realize they have power to do good and to highlight their stories to inspire anyone who watches.
To find out more about Nia, visit her at:
Instagram @NiapolitanTV
Twitter @NiaWong
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