Black Cap Technologies Presents...

Careers Exposed: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Sky is host for WUSF, primarily for the station's daily podcast 'The Bay Blend'. It’s a fun time, giving you the news, culture and events going on in the Tampa Bay area while telling a couple jokes on the way. Sky is also the back-up host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered. 

After graduating from the University of Florida, Sky got his public radio start in Jacksonville working as a reporter for WJCT News. He started there at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of the topics he covered had to do with its influences on nearly every aspect of life.

Following his time in Jacksonville, Sky returned to UF and worked as the Morning Edition newscaster and a multimedia producer for their local NPR affiliate, WUFT-FM. He launched a few student-run podcasts, worked on long-form reporting, and even taught a couple of classes, while also being on-air every weekday morning.

Sky grew up in Hollywood in Broward County, but has now lived across different cities in the state for about 10 years now. Florida just can’t get rid of him. When he's not reporting or hosting, you can catch him broadcasting college athletics for a few schools across the state. 

Kalisha is an Emmy® award-winning journalist and three-time Telly Award-winning digital storyteller who knows how to captivate audiences and create content that lasts. She has covered a range of stories from the United States 2008 historical presidential election, to one of America’s deadliest storm systems in 2011, as well as the 50th commemoration of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham. Her news reports afforded her the opportunity to be a vital member of an Emmy®, Edward R. Murrow, and the Alabama Broadcasters Association award-winning team.

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Kalisha also brings her storytelling expertise to global spaces. She has facilitated two storytelling boot camps with USAID in Ghana and Togo, equipping participants with practical tools to communicate impact and inspire change.

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She has received several Associated Press awards and has been nominated for two additional Emmy® awards. Her stories have been featured on NBC Universal, FOX, CBS, ABC, and CNN-affiliated platforms.

Kalisha completed her undergraduate studies at Florida A&M University and earned her Master of Science in Journalism, specializing in documentary studies, at Columbia University. She currently serves as Associate-In and Senior TV News Manager at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

Ryan is the news director for WWNO and WRKF and the Managing Editor for the Gulf States Newsroom. He has an 18 year career in public broadcasting with stops at Alabama Public Radio, where he was a reporter and host, and WUFT in Gainesville, Fla., where he was multimedia news manager, audio and led a largely-student newsroom. 

He's been an instructor and professor in journalism for 14 years at the University of Alabama, University of Florida, and Louisiana State University.  Vasquez serves on the diversity, equity and inclusion committee for the Public Media Journalists Association and the safety committee for the Radio Television Digital News Association.

Vasquez has a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and a master's degree from the University of Alabama.

Trimmel is a veteran journalist and trusted voice in strategic communications, with more than two decades of experience across radio, television, podcasting, and public affairs. He began his career as a radio and television newsman, earning his stripes covering stories for outlets like NPR, PBS, and ABC. His work has taken him across the globe, spotlighting critical issues and amplifying unheard voices.

As President of Gomes Media Strategies, Trimmel leads a boutique communications firm specializing in media relations, brand development, and public affairs consulting. He has advised nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporations on executive visibility, ESG communications, and stakeholder engagement. He also served as Chairman of the First Amendment Foundation, leading efforts to protect press freedom and government transparency.

Trimmel frequently moderates high-level panel discussions and on occasion contributes reporting to various media outlets.

He holds a master’s degree in Communications and Digital Media Studies from Florida State University, where he also earned a graduate certificate in Multicultural Marketing Communications.