The Human

People often ask journalists why we do this work. Why the long hours, the breaking news, the constant chase for stories. For me, the answer has always been rooted in people.

My name is Travis Cummings, and my purpose in journalism begins in New Orleans, a city where stories live in everything. In the music, the food, the traditions, the neighborhoods, and the people. Growing up there taught me early on that culture itself tells a story, and that every person carries experiences worth listening to and preserving. That understanding shaped the way I move through the world and ultimately led me to journalism.

I’ve always been drawn to the stories that live beneath the headlines. The stories about community, identity, resilience, culture, and the moments that shape who we are. That purpose has followed me throughout nearly a decade in journalism. Whether I’m anchoring at KSDK, reporting in the field, interviewing families after tragedy, or highlighting joy inside communities too often overlooked, my goal remains the same: humanity first.

I believe journalism should inform, but it should also connect. It should create space for people to tell their own stories in their own voices. My undergraduate degree from Spring Hill College in Communication Arts prepared me for not just journalism but public relations and advertising, digital video production, graphic design. St. Louis has become home for me, and serving this community has deepened my understanding of how powerful local storytelling can be. Through my work on-air, in the community, and through organizations like Black Pride STL, I’ve learned journalism extends far beyond a newsroom. It lives in relationships, trust, and showing up for people long after the cameras are gone. I also serve as the vice president of the St. Louis chapter where I’m helping support fellow storytellers and communication professionals across the and mentoring young journalists.

Outside of journalism, I’m usually pouring into community work, emceeing events, spending time with family and friends, or finding inspiration through music, film, and culture. I’m also pursuing my master’s degree as I continue growing alongside an industry that’s constantly evolving.

At the center of everything I do is a simple belief: stories have the power to move people, and people deserve to be at the center of the story.