BIO
Current Position(s): Editor and Freelance Writer
Recent Bylines: Black Love and ESSENCE GU
Kayla Grant is an editor at Blavity Inc., currently serving as the Associate Editor at 21Ninety. The New York native has a deep passion for telling the stories of the underrepresented and amplifying the voice of the voiceless. In addition to her various roles at Blavity Inc. since 2022, she is also a freelance journalist, specifically writing stories in the entertainment and lifestyle space. Her byline appears on ESSENCE GU, Business Insider, Shondaland, theGrio and more.
Kayla graduated with Summa Cum Laude from both Clark Atlanta University and Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. While her official journalism career launched in Atlanta on the CAU campus, she always had a love for stories and the journalism industry. From watching celebrity interviews to binge watching Emmy-award winning television shows, everything in her life prepared her to become a journalist.
Outside of journalism, she loves to travel, spend time with family and read (or listen to) books. You can learn more about Kayla by visiting her Instagram @thekaylasgrant and following her on Twitter @thekaylagrant.
Read My Work!
Black Love - Freelancer
My bylines on Black Love center around pop culture, love and relationships, and parenting. Some of my most notable stories include a roundup of the top lessons from Reesa Tessa's "Who TF Did I Marry?," a Nelly and Ashanti-inspired piece on the do's and don'ts for "spinning the block" on an ex, a feature story on Taraji P. Henson's debut children's book and a roundup of the reasons fans fell in love with "Love Island USA" season 6 winners Kordell and Serena.
ESSENCE GU - Freelancer
On Essence GU, my work includes several top-ranking feature stories on a variety of topics, including late bloomers, sexual and mental health, beauty, summer natural hair styles and PRIDE.
TheGrio - Freelancer
I have 50+ articles on theGrio, with topics spanning from books to maternal health. I conducted high-profile interviews with talent, including WNBA stars, Samara Joy, Yolanda Renee King, Cord Jefferson, Judge Mablean, Judge Hatchett and more.
Blavity - Editor
At Blavity, I edit 6+ stories per day and collaborate with the brand lead to plan, assign and schedule daily content. In addition, I contribute a mix of trending, breaking news and evergreen stories to the site.
Formerly: Senior Copy Editor for Travel Noire, 21Ninety and Home & Texture.
Shondaland - Freelancer
My work on Shondaland covers books and culture. My works include:
- A Q&A with Tracy Deonn
- A Q&A with Deborah Falaye
- A Q&A with Liz Montague
- A listicle on Juneteenth Shows
- A listicle on Art and Mental Health
Poynter Institute - Reporter/Copy Writer
I interviewed faculty and staff at Georgia’s HBCUs about their feelings regarding the November 2020 election, and wrote an 830-word article representing their perspective. I also edited five articles ranging between 750 and 2,000 words.
Certification Earned: Poynter's Newsroom Readiness
Rolling Out - Editorial Intern
Throughout my time at rolling out, I published 17 articles, with the most engaged article reaching 3,200+ people. I conducted live interviews with celebrities on the Facebook page reaching 400+ people. In addition, I conducted telephone and in-person interviews with industry professionals, such as Raven-Symoné, Isaac Carree and Elle Clarke. I also pitched relevant, timely and trendy ideas to the editorial staff, such as articles about Megan Thee Stallion-inspired fashion and
Dorothy Butler Gilliam’s book release.