Karia J. Christopher

From an early age, Mrs. Christopher has been a very outspoken child and has ever since found herself involved in the media, in one way or another.

Today, she is the owner of her own television show, “Real Talk with Karia Christopher” which is aired seasonally on CBN Channel 51.

While the talented young Virgin Islander enjoys the media, her major academic concentration has been focused in Human Resources and she is presently the Director of Human Resources at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC).

“It’s ok to be lawyer or doctor but if you love to do something unconventional then don’t let anyone stop you. I hope to inspire someone to tap into their internal resources, that hidden fire, and motivate them to do what they love,” said the multi-talented young Virgin Islander.

Mrs. Christopher who proudly hails from Sea Cows Bay is a product of the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School and the BVI High School now Elmore Stoutt High School.

At the early age of 17, she went off to further her academic studies at the Alabama A & M University where she received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Management (Magna Cum Laude) in 1999.

Upon her return to the Virgin Islands, the ambitious young woman landed her first job where she worked for two years as Senior Assistant Human Resource Manager with the Government.

Mrs. Christoher said this was a job she enjoyed but left shortly after to continue her studies, this time at the New School University in New York where in 2003, she acquired her Masters of Science in Human Resources and certification in Organizational Change.

The Human Resource Director, who enjoys studying, completed her final examinations in the hospital, one day after giving birth to her first daughter.

Hunter Christopher was born on December 7 and on December 8 and 9, Mrs. Christopher completed her examinations in the hospital, something that she agreed to do.

“I wanted to graduate in two years and I was so happy to be pregnant so I embraced the whole opportunity of motherhood while juggling academics,” said the proud mother.

The Virgin Islander is very thankful to be a product of the public service system and to have the Government pay for all her academic studies.

“I have been very blessed to have the Government pay for all my education and am eternally grateful,” said Mrs. Christopher.

While it was challenging for her to return home after living overseas and having opportunities surrounding her, she still remained committed to returning and giving back to her country.

Asked what was her main driving force to return home, Christopher said: “It was very fantastic being there (United States). I had so many wonderful opportunities to stay. But for me it was really the love of country and feeling deep in my soul that I have so much to offer to my community, I truly felt a deep sense of loyalty to come back.”

In 2003 after completing her Masters, Mrs. Christopher returned to the Virgin Islands to become the First Sister Islands Coordinator under the Deputy Governor’s Office.

“It was a fun experience. To date, of all the paying jobs I can say that has been one of the experiences I enjoyed most as I have gained a greater appreciation for the people of the entire BVI and by extension the entire Caribbean,” said the former sister islands coordinator.

She spent two and a half years there and felt she had outgrown the job in a positive way and wanted something more disciplined.

Her next job would be one that she was driven to get following a job interview where she realized she didn’t have the skills to balance a budget.

Being the type of person who challenges herself, and after learning that bank jobs are the most challenging, she applied to banks.

She was hired as a Corporate Manager at FirstCaribbean and for Mrs. Christopher, it was everything she asked for and even more.

“That was a big learning experience for me, the deadlines and time lines were very rigid, but I have no regrets,” the former bank employee said, noting that at the end of the two years there, she added to her portfolio her ability to balance and manage a million dollar budget.

“We only live life once and I really want to experience life and all that it has to offer so I constantly like to step out of my comfort zone so that I will never look back and have regrets. I have to attribute that to my mom who raised me as a single parent and taught me at a very young age to be fearless and not be afraid of a challenge. She always told me to defy the odds and put God first.” said Mrs. Christopher who is the proud daughter of Delrice Mactavious of Sea Cows Bay.

Noting that she has made several career jumps in her life, Mrs. Christopher said she did all of them for a reason as they were conscious efforts in her life as she endeavours to learn and achieve.

For the HR Director, everyone that knows her knows that her real passion lies in being a public person where she can be vocal, hosting functions, and talk shows among other things.

“I knew I liked to talk from very small,” she said with one of her kilowatt smiles.

She recalled her first involvement in hosting events when she was approached by surprise by Dave Douglas in 1996 and asked to host the BVI High School graduation. Christopher said she recalled him telling her that he thought she would have done a great job.

“About four days later I was hosting this graduation on VI TV and that was my first experience on TV. But as I had that microphone I felt at home. I was so excited. Hosting the graduation was fantastic,” said Mrs. Christopher who recalled at that time she was home from university in the summer.

That was just the beginning of her television appearances and when she returned to school at Alabama A & M, she was asked to be the first news anchor for the first campus television programme.

“It was such a fantastic experience,” she recalled.

While she noted of her college education being focused in business, the multi-talented young woman’s love for television led her to apply for an internship at Oprah Winfrey’s studio, Harpo Studios. It was during her final year in college and the television enthusiast was sure she was not considered.

However, two days after returning to Tortola, she got the call she had never expected, for an opportunity to intern at the famed studio. However, Mrs. Christopher said while it is something that she yearned for, she had to consider the facts that it was not a paid job and it was not something she could have afforded at the time or make arrangements in the short space of time that was available to assume the internship.

“To this day I can’t let go and ask what if, but I feel good that I was good enough to receive the call,” she marveled but still felt that she missed out on a great opportunity.

“I think the sky is the limit for anyone who has the drive and I use that mantra to challenge myself and push myself to get where I want,” she said.

Mrs. Christopher has been the host and owns the talk show “Real Talk with Karia Christopher” which normally comes on CBN Channel 51 every Tuesday. However, she noted that acquiring consistent sponsorship is always a challenge hence she has to maintain the show on a seasonal basis.

“I must apologize to all those who watch it that I am not able to come on all year through because I own it and have to find sponsors,” she explained while taking the opportunity to thank her sponsors who have remained on board.

Her show taps into issues in the community where she takes on a softer and more creative side dealing with current issues.

“I  always like to have the softer touch but I ask hard hitting questions but try to accomplish this  with grace and class,”  she described her show with her new season set to begin next month.

Explaining her passion for television, Mrs. Christopher said, “I love dealing with the public and consider myself to be very engaging, once the cameras are on there is an internal fire like no other evidence to my love for what I do.”

Mrs. Christopher who is the wife of Robelto Christopher and the mother of Hunter, 7, and Dakota, 6 says she enjoys spending time with her family including her mom and two siblings and thanked them for their continuous support.

She also loves to read, travel and enjoys giving back to the community. She is a member of the Rotary Club Tortola, Zonta BVI and an avid member of the Sea Cow’s Bay Methodist Church.

Her advice to other young professionals is that they should not take any opportunity for granted.

“In life you should not only strive for good, but try to be the best in anything that you do, and in turn set the bar higher for those that will follow you. This ensures a brighter today and an even more promising tomorrow,” she advises.