Celebrating the Class of 2025 and the Next Chapter of Lealer Sim’s Legacy

Image Credit: Lealer Sims

Lealer Sims has a passion for journalism and has worked hard through school and into her career to forge her own path. Sims grew up in Houston, Texas—the 5th Ward, to be exact. And she’s known that she has wanted to pursue journalism since she was in High School. When asked if she participated in the yearbook in High School, her immediate response was yes.  

“How did you know?” Sims said, laughing. 

Sims loved her Yearbook class, and aside from the love for the work she got to do in that class, it was a connection with her teacher, who encouraged her, that pushed Sims to go down the path of journalism and communications in college and beyond. 

In 2022, Sims graduated from Southern University and A&M University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a degree in Mass Communications with a focus on broadcast journalism. She loved her time in Baton Rouge, getting to experience the city and meet a lot of different people. In undergrad, she worked at a TV news station in Baton Rouge called WPRZ, where she was able to refine her interests. But when she decided to pursue her Master's, she decided to go back to her roots in Houston, Texas. This year, Sims graduated with a Master's in Digital Communication from Southern Texas University. 

During her time in graduate school, Sims had the opportunity to hone her skills across different publications in Houston. She was a staff writer for the Houston Digest, TSU Harold and Forward Times; she also worked for NBC Sports. 

Sims’ visual thesis for her graduate program was a highlight for her - she recreated Jerry Springer’s show with the Lealer Sims twist. 

“I made a show where I was the host and people aired relationship dramas, family drama, etc.,” Sims said. 

Her versatility in the media industry also extends to print and broadcast journalism. Now, after graduating, she has her own radio show in Houston on the station 953 Jamz called the Lela Show. She covers pop culture, breaking news in the Houston area, and features artists on her show.  Being in Houston, Sims says that there is a rich market for media that she’s excited to be a part of. 

“There’s a lot going on. Like, we are a major city. Houston is definitely up next,” Sims said. In that special city, Sims has spread her wings and worked in all areas of journalism and enjoyed every aspect.

“I love it all,” Sims said. 

She started as an on-air radio personality in 2023 and wants her work to leave an impact. Sims hopes that she makes her guests feel special. She wants to give them a space to discuss unique experiences.

“When I have guests on, when I’m interviewing people, I’ll try to ask what I really want to know; what the people want to know. Like, I try to ask what no other journalist or personality has asked them before,” Sims said.

 Though she just recently graduated, Sims has already made great strides in the media sphere. 

“Honestly, I still feel like I’m at the beginning stages of my career. I’m always looking for the next opportunity, but I'm definitely proud of how far I’ve come,” Sims said. 

This year alone, Sims has embarked on some incredible ventures, covering the BET Awards, and being able to attend the Essence Fest were two honorable mentions, and she’s excited to see where her career takes her next. 

“I’m on my way,” Sims said. 

The end goal for Sims is to eventually be a Red Carpet correspondent; she also wants to host her own TV show. She loves the freedom and creative control that has come with hosting her own radio show - why not bring those talents to broadcast? 

But unfortunately, success doesn’t come without hardship. The job market today is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate, especially for media professionals. She’s pitched her show, which would be a talk show (among the likes of Wendy Williams, Oprah and others), to more people than she can keep up with, and is still waiting for the green light. 

“I plan to keep pitching that show and, you know what, maybe in the next few years you’ll see it on TV,” Sims said.

Sims has dealt with rejection in her time as a media personality, and says it’s been an obstacle she's had to overcome. She’s been passed over for jobs she thought that she would get, and even had guests on her show cancel at the last minute. To Sims, it’s all in how you handle the hard parts of the job. 

“It’s all part of the growth,” Sims said. 

Being able to adapt and be in the right place at the right time, Sims said, is important. She is always striving to make new connections with people and network in any way that she can to get her name out there. Nobody can do everything alone, though. Having a support network of coworkers at her radio station has been crucial to Sims’ development as a professional. 

“We always encourage each other to move up to the next level… just always looking out for each other,” Sims said. 

This kind of tight-knit community is important, especially for communications and media-focused graduates. Sims said keeping up with classmates and looking out for the people around you is important to getting your foot in the door. 

“Everybody knows everybody. Your professors are always looking out for you, but sometimes it’s different when you go into the real world. I just feel it’s important to have a community,” Sims said. 

To get to know Sims more, check out the Lela Show on 953 JAMZ every Sunday from 1-3 p.m., and follow her on Instagram: @lealerimani.