The Roanoker - May/June 2021 - 40

Kianna Price
Host, Living Local, WFXR

Platinum Winner: Female Star of the Star City

L

iving Local TV host Kianna Price is
making her mark on the region. Her
impressive list of achievements, which
includes receiving the SCLC Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award
and singing the National Anthem at the
Virginia State Capitol Building (twice), can
now add the Platinum award for " Female
Star of the Star City " in our Best of Roanoke
2021 reader poll.
" I'm extremely humbled and surprised, "
she says. " I'm a hometown girl always trying
my best to do what I can for our community,
to make it a better place to live and work. I
don't see myself as a 'star!' "
Price's career includes a decade
as Program Director and on-air radio
personality for The Vibe. Her job brought
unique opportunities to interview various
celebrities such as Magic Johnson and John
Legend; President Biden; President Obama

40 MAY/JUNE 2021

and later, First Lady Michelle Obama. But for
Price, it's the local community that inspires
her every day.
While she never " in a million years "
thought she'd have the opportunity to talk
and interact with " extraordinary " people in
our community each and every day, Living
Local offers her a platform to introduce,
recognize and highlight the hardworking
people, creative minds ... and awesome
organizations and businesses that are here
in our community throughout southwest
and central Virginia. " To be that vessel, to
expose others to what I already know is
the greatness of our community, it's a real
honor. "
Growing up in Roanoke, Price felt she was
like most young people, excited to travel
outside of the area after graduating high
school. After a " wonderful " experience at
the University of Richmond, broadcasting

eventually brought Price back to her
hometown. When she started her family a
few years later, she realized why so many
people have always said that Roanoke was a
great place to raise a family.
" This community that raised me allowed
me so many extraordinary opportunities
and it's something to be said to have that
experience with my own family, " Price says.
" I never saw it for myself, but I am blessed
and grateful to have the same sort of
opportunities. I had a wonderful childhood
and it's great seeing that for my own family. "
Price's blended family includes her
husband, Donnie, and she's the proud
mother of five kids, each of whom are
heavily involved with extracurricular
activities. Price and her family took in " a lot
more hiking and biking " during COVID-19,
primarily due to more free time, as she says
she's " always dragging them to some kind
of event or festival, " be it for work or just to
support the community. Her husband, who
is not from Roanoke, always says there is
something to do here!
Community involvement was instilled in
her from her parents and grandparents, as
they were givers of their time and however
they could help others. " My mother, a
former educator, always demonstrated to do
whatever you can to help others. My father
was the same way, coaching Little League,
volunteering and giving his time. We help
just to see our community grow stronger,
and I'm proud my kids get to see that. "
Price has served in multiple positions
throughout the community, including the
Chairperson of Apple Ridge Farm; board
member on the Carilion Medical Center
Board; founding member and current
President of the Urban Professional League;
and member of various civic organizations
including Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She
also participates in nonprofit fundraisers,
raising thousands of dollars for the Salvation
Army, Roanoke City Public School's Healthy
Cooking and Nutrition Program and Family
Service of Roanoke.
" Roanoke is an extraordinarily unique
place and I'm just honored to be a part of it
... I love my job and I'm grateful that I get to
help spread the word about what others are
doing, and what they love, " Price says. " If I
can play a small part to help just one person
have a better life in some way, I consider
that a blessing. " -LL

TheRoanoker.com

TAYLOR RESCHKA

Best Of 2021  The Winners
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker - May/June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - May/June 2021
