Valonda Calloway

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• WRAL anchor gets flying lesson from Peter Pan
• Lawmakers to consider lifting truck restrictions

Anchor/Reporter

Professional Experience:
I came to WRAL-TV in the fall of 2001 as the Durham Bureau reporter. I have reported on every shift at WRAL, including the 2:30 am shift. I was promoted to weekend morning anchor after a couple of years. I have been a weekday morning anchor since 2005. Before coming to WRAL, I was an anchor and reporter at WNCT-TV in Greenville, N.C. I began my career in 1994 as a writer and reporter at the Voice of America radio in Washington, D.C.

Awards & Recognition:
I was part of the team at WNCT-TV that won many awards, including an Edward R. Murrow award for continuous coverage during Hurricane Floyd. I have received numerous awards from the community recognizing my volunteerism and professional achievements including honors from The Greater Triangle YWCA and the Triangle-East Chapter of 100 Black Men of America.

News Philosophy:
First and foremost, I believe it is our responsibility to be fair and get it right. I enjoy telling stories that make a positive difference in the lives of viewers.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, 1994, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, N.C., graduated cum laude

Birthplace:
Richlands, N.C. is my hometown.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement:
I love to dance! I have been a cheerleader or a dancer since I was a young child. That includes cheering in college from 1990 to 1994 and professionally for the Washington Redskins from 1995 to 1997. Community involvement is extremely important to me. I believe in the verse, "To whom much is given, much is required." I am an active member of the Raleigh chapter of the public service sorority Delta Sigma Theta. I am most passionate about our work mentoring middle-school girls through the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy. I am an active member of the Wake County chapter of the Winston-Salem State University alumni association. We provide scholarships to Wake County students attending WSSU, provide books to Wake County libraries and assist needy Wake County families with everything from food to clothes to toys. I have also served as a volunteer cheerleading coach at Wakefield High School. I am also a member of the Board of Advisors for the Me Fine Foundation, which provides necessary resources and financial assistance to parents and caregivers with children being treated at Duke and UNC Children’s Hospitals.

Family:
Husband, Randal; daughter, Lilyn

Favorite Books & Movies:
Books: "Cane River," "Raising Fences" and "The Same Sweet Girls;" movie: "Coming to America." The dance sequence in that movie is outstanding!

Favorite Web Sites:
WRAL.com, washingtonpost.com, MediaLine and EURweb.com

Likes Best About North Carolina:
This is home. My family is here, and that's very important to me. Plus, where else can you get barbecue as good as the 'cue in Carolina?

Most Memorable Assignments:
I can't narrow it down to one, but the most interesting time to do interviews was during Hurricane Floyd in 1999. I talked with so many heroes, heroines and kind-hearted people during that period. Eastern North Carolina was devastated, but local residents and people from across the country expressed so much kindness and helped us get back on our feet.