I'Jaz Ja'ciel

I’Jaz joined the WBFO family in September 2020 and serves as a weekend anchor reporting local news on Sundays. In 2019, she earned her B.A. in Journalism from SUNY Buffalo State and in December 2020, she will earn her M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Data Science and Analytics. She hopes to merge her two backgrounds to produce data-driven stories that will be both informative and inspirational.

I’Jaz began her foray into journalism at Buffalo State’s student-run news publication, The Record, where she first served as a reporter before advancing to news editor and vice president. While a student reporter, several of her original news and investigative pieces were picked up by prominent local print, radio, and television publications.

Born, bred, and based in Buffalo, I’Jaz has long been committed to telling the stories of the Queen City as a freelance journalist for various local publications. Having dedicated her career in journalism to print and web writing, I’Jaz was inspired to venture into broadcast journalism after participating in a 2019 mentorship program through the Buffalo Broadcasters Association that inspired her to expand the scope of her professional capabilities, especially after being taken with the operations of the WBFO newsroom.

A self-proclaimed “flower child,” I’Jaz’s interests are largely based around being in natural environments and indulging in 60s and 70s nostalgia. Some of her hobbies include indoor and outdoor gardening, collecting vinyl records, reading, writing poetry, and being a pet mom to her cat and frog.