Alumna Kris Kaylin Bennett Guest Hosts on Popular "Breakfast Club" Radio Program

 

Big Bulldog kudos to Kris Kaylin (Class of 2016) who on July 19 was in New York sitting in with Charlamagne the God and DJ Envy for their popular "Breakfast Club" on Power 105 FM (WWPR-FM). 

Kris is a veteran of the Charleston radio scene, has produced documentaries and has her own video shows. She has expertise in social media and is obviously very well-connected!  

Kris, always loyal to her Charleston roots, gave a nice shout-out to fellow native Darius Rucker when the breakfast club was naming country music stars. 

Congratulations Kris and we will be watching for your next star turn! 

The Many Hats Worn By Multi-Media Talent and Social Media Influencer Kris Kaylin Bennett

SC State senior Arabia Green participated in a recent Zoom call with Class of 2016 graduate Kris Kaylin Bennett. In the call with students, Bennett, a Charleston native, spoke about what it means to be a so-called "social media influencer." It's a title we seem to hear about more and more. And Bennett helped break it down for us. Arabia wrote an excellent recap of Kris Bennett's busy life. The story is on Arabia's blog: 

Read Arabia Green's article here. 

Bennett has become a true queen of all media with her radio job at Charleston's Z-93, television appearances here and there, original video productions and now her alliance with Michiel Perry, founder of the Black Southern Belle, a prominent blogger, brand ambassador and social media influencer based in Walterboro, S.C. Bennett also handles social media for several companies, including her radio station. 

This fall, as part of her work with the Black Southern Belle,  Bennett stayed (for free!) at Emeline, a new boutique hotel on Church Street in Charleston. 

Arabia Green is a senior communications major from Adams Run, S.C. She graduated from Baptist Hill High School and is set to graduate from SC State in December. Check out Arabia's blog, Raye of Sunshine, here. 

Catching Up With Alumni During Homecoming 2019

If it reminded some in attendance of the ESPN documentary series "30 For 30" that was the idea.

Kris Kayin Bennett (Class of 2016) says that was the type of storytelling she and collaborator Dr. Justin Beaufort were going for with their 50-minute film, "The Peninsula Stories: Ralph & Sid." To view the video via Vimeo click here. 

They examine the lives of two talented Charleston athletes, Deljavon "Ralph" Simmons and Sidney Sanders, who were football and basketball stars at Burke High School 10 years ago.

Communications Graduate to Show Her Film During Homecoming

Multi-talented 2016 Communications alumna Kris Kaylin Bennett recently added documentary producer and director to her impressive list of accomplishments. 

Current Comm students and the rest of the campus community will have the chance to see her new film during SC State's Homecoming. They will also hear from Bennett in person, as she will be on hand for the event. 

The Communication Program and co-sponsor Communications Club will screen Bennett's 50-minute film on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium (Room 208) in the Crawford Communications Building (aka Old Engineering Building).

The event is free and open to the public. "The Peninsula Stories: Ralph & Sid" is a documentary based on Charleston park legends Deljavon Ralph Simmons and Sidney Sanders. The film highlights these two exceptional Burke High School football and basketball players who were and have remained best friends.

The film is narrated by Dr. Justin Beaufort, a Charleston native who in 2015 published, "Be YaSelf: The Autobiography," a book about his upbringing and overcoming obstacles.

The Ralph & Sid story may be the first in a series of "Peninsula Stories" directed by Bennett's KrisKaylin Productions.

According to Bennett, the series will seek to "unveil the underground truths to the athletic output of Charleston, S.C."

Bennett will speak before and after her film is screened on Oct. 17. 

Bennett can be heard on Charleston's airwaves at Z93 Jamz Radio, where she is a personality and event host. 

Alumni Tell Students to “Slam Dunk” Their Opportunities

Current SC State communications students should be better prepared for life after college thanks to the Communications Club's alumni forum on March 29.

From left, Jaylaan Riley, Breylon Jones and Kris Bennett

It won't be a bed of roses, cautioned Jaylaan Riley (Class of 2017), Breylon Jones (2015) and Kris Kaylin Bennett (2016).

"Do not allow people to put limitations on you," said Bennett, a radio personality at Charleston's Z-93 radio. "Always be about business."

Post-graduation depression can also creep in. Finding that first full-time job can be challenging.

Steps to Success: Three Recent Graduates Share Advice Friday

Life after college- making it in the "real world." This will be the theme of the next Communications Club Speakers Series forum.

Three recent graduates of SC State's Communications Program, each currently working in broadcasting and/or public relations, will return to campus Friday, March 29, to share their job and life experiences since earning their diplomas.  The event begins at 11 a.m. in the auditorium (Room 208) in the Crawford Communications building.  It is free to attend open to the campus community and the general public.

Each of the three speakers is working professionally in the broadcasting and/or public relations fields.  They are:

Breylon Jones, Class of 2015, on-air personality, SummitMedia Greenville (107.3 Jamz radio)

Kris Bennett, Class of 2016, on-air personality, Z-93 radio, Charleston, and community relations assistant, Charleston RiverDogs baseball team

1 Lt. Jaylaan Riley, Class of 2017, U.S. Army officer, Signal Corps, Fort Gordon, Ga.

For more information about this event, please contact Communications Club President Ashley Hendricks at (803) 290-4713 or ahendric@scsu.edu, or club faculty advisor Patrick Harwood at (803) 536-8839 or pharwood@scsu.edu.

South Carolina State University's Communications Club's mission is to offer students tools to advance in the communication industry. The goals are to promote responsibility and professionalism. Events include bringing successful professionals, especially alumni of the school's Communications Program, to campus to share their career paths, work experiences and advice to current students. 

Keeping Up With Kris

Kris Kaylin Bennett is one busy bee!  The 2016 SCSU communications alumna recently began a marketing/promotions position with the Charleston RiverDogs baseball team.  She also continues her part-time on-air work at Charleston's Z93 Jamz radio.

In February 2018 the Communications Club invited Bennett to speak to students. Her talk was motivational and very well received.  Read more here.