MINNEAPOLIS — Longtime WCCO Radio host Jearlyn Steele understands the importance of living authentically.
"You absolutely take and live your life through your heart," Steele told KARE 11's Alexis Rogers. "The heart is where it is."
Just weeks ago, listeners were shocked to learn Steele would leave her show, "Steele Talkin'," after a career spanning 27 years. She admitted it was a quick, but fulfilling decision.
"I was able to say goodbye to my listeners and to so many, I talked about everything from the beginning, all of the challenges, and how I grew and grew and grew," Steele reflected. So I'm really grateful for the opportunity to be there that long."
Steele was the first African American person to be employed by the station, facing threats and skepticism all along the way. Despite the negativity that sometimes surrounded her, Steele stood strong in the face of adversity and resolved to combat her fear with joy.
"You cannot be afraid; you absolutely cannot show any fear, and that was my motto. Do not show any fear, bring joy instead. And that's what I did," Steele said. "I concentrated on that; I believed in that; I prayed on that; I lived in that. That was the thing that gave me strength."
To learn more about Jearlyn Steele, her work in the community and what's coming up next, watch the full interview above or click here.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch more KARE 11 News at Noon:
Check in with the friends of the show who stopped by KARE 11 News at Noon in our YouTube playlist: