Kiya Cox-Bey has a childhood unlike the rest. Her childhood and life experiences have led her to where she is today, where she will go in the future, and the dreams wants to become reality. Kiya is a student majoring in Multimedia Communications with a concentration in film studies at Olivet Nazarene University. However, her passion for the industry started at a young age.
Kiya is spiritual, loving, kind, creative, and insightful.
Janell Cox-Bey
Actress
“At nine years old Kiya came to me and told me she wanted to be an actress” Janell Cox-Bey, Kiya’s mother explains. At the age of 10, Kiya landed her first of many roles in a Chicago play. After acting classes, roles in plays, and some experience in dance, she landed her first paying job in “Children’s Hour” at the age of 12. By the age of 13, Kiya signed with a talent agency in Chicago called Ambassador Talent. Through the agency, she got to act in many productions including a Black Hawks commercial, a Bulls’ commercial with Dwyane Wade, and short films with Columbia College.
It was not until high school that her interest in film exceeded her interest in acting. She was a producer for her high school’s student-run television and radio station, Viking Television Company, which led her to choose multimedia communications with a concentration in film studies as her major. However, she has not completely abandoned acting. Her mother states, “over the years Kiya’s heart for acting has changed, it’s no longer her number one priority but when she steps on stage you would never know it!”
Dreamer
Kiya dreams of having her own network or streaming business one day after she graduates in 2021. Her dream is to create a platform dedicated to letting viewers watch quality Christian movies that everyone wants to see. “Christian people can make well written and well directed Christian films,” she explains. Kiya’s dreams do not stop there; she also dreams of starting her own Christian camp. Her inspiration comes from her involvement in Kids Across America.
Camp Counselor
In 2011, she first attended as a camper after she was introduced to it by her aunt. Right away, she knew she wanted to become a counselor. She has worked as a camp counselor every summer since 2016. When asked about the camp, Kiya says it is in the middle of nowhere where kids can get away from the city and try many new activities; however, “Jesus Christ is the whole message.”
God, being in the center, brings us all together.
Kiya Cox-Bey
Her mother refers to all of Kiya’s camp experiences as life changing and adds that Kiya “loves working with the youth and watching God heal lives.” Kiya loves to interact with and understand the children that attend the camp. Most of them do not speak English, but she says, “God, being in the center, brings us all together,” adding that it is challenging, but amazing and worthwhile to witness the power of God firsthand. Mrs. Cox-Bey comments on what it was like to raise Kiya, saying, “It’s encouraging to see our daughter work and be self-sufficient. It’s also great to see Kiya doing something she’s good at and passionate about.”
Wanting More?
For more information about Ambassador Talent agency or Kids Across America, visit their websites:
