Phylicia Ashley - Reporter/Anchor and Host

First thing's first,  it's not a stage name. I really do have three first names (there’s proof on my birth certificate). The three first names package deal comes with some puns.

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Example 1:

(Operator) "Hi Ashley, what’s your last name?"

(Me): "Ashley"

(Operator): " Wait, Ashley, Ashley?"

( Me): Facepalm

 

However,  the meaning of my name and its significance to me outweighs the misspellings, outrageous pronunciations, and the story requests.

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Phylicia means happiness. Samantha, listener. Ashley means from the Ash tree.

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My name encompasses everything I am and represents all I know I will become.

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Within five seconds of meeting me you'll find out I'm a PROUD New Yorker who claims everything the city has to offer: from the overcrowded subways, to the bright and busy Times Square. I love everything about the city. As a matter of fact, I was born in the heart of NYC at New York University Langone Hospital. It’s funny how the circle of life works, because years later I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Broadcast Journalism and Sociology from New York University.

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I grew up in Westchester, New York (not upstate) in a town called Chappaqua. I was the student who was involved in everything, I even gave sports a try. While I only ran track for a week, I did muster up the grit to stick through basketball and volleyball for a season or so. But hey, don't let my failure in sports disappoint you. I was the first African American Class President of Horace Greeley High School. I danced for 16 plus years at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Dance Theater of Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts and Broadway Dance Center.  I spent most of my weekends in the city dancing, starting at the young age of three. I was blessed with the opportunity to dance with people from different backgrounds, mindsets, goals and ambitions. This exposure to so much diversity ultimately led to my impeccable skill of being able to share and report on stories from both sides of the aisle. The exposure allows me to find the core of a topic and connect it to the community and sometimes even the world. The exposure makes me feel at home in any city or state I’m in.

 

As a child I always found myself asking too many questions or as my parents would say “ In somebody’s business.” I was quick to point out when someone’s story didn’t add up and would suggest resources that could help them. Thankfully while watching the Today Show in middle school I found a career that appreciates the skills that often sent me to time out.

 

There's a lot more to my life story...probably enough for a two-part Lifetime movie. Thankfully, there's a Contact Me section on this site. Check it out! I’d love to chat.