Alayna Tobo

Student Speaker, May 2024

Alayna Tobo, from Atlanta, Georgia, is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the UK College of Communication and Information, with a minor in coaching from the UK College of Education. She will deliver the student address at the 2 p.m. Friday, May 3 ceremony.

During her time at UK, Tobo has served as news director for WRFL-FM radio and hosted the UK student podcast “Bowman’s Friends” and her personal podcast, “The Honest Human,” dedicated to fostering honest conversations and celebrating individuality. She serves as vice president of the Bluegrass Chapter of the Association of Black Journalists, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Iota Sigma Chapter, where she has served as community service chair and public relations chair. In 2021, she was named Miss Black UK and Miss Black and Gold in 2022. She is also a student-athlete on the UK STUNT team.

Tobo says she is “incredibly honored” to have been chosen as a student speaker.

“Upon arriving at Kentucky, amidst the challenges of a global pandemic, I was determined to leave a lasting impact beyond my own journey over the course of my four years here,” Tobo said. “From all the things I’ve gone through to get to where I am today, I am confident that my story has the power to inspire countless individuals to persevere through their own life journeys. I want people to know that even though life doesn’t always go as planned, you are exactly where you need to be in this moment. Thank you, Kentucky, for taking a young girl from Atlanta and showering her with love and showing her a home away from home through community."

After graduation, Tobo plans to work as a podcast producer and radio personality, and is considering  graduate school to earn a master’s in media management. Her overall goal is to one day own her own media company and mentor and provide opportunities for youth and Black women in media.