Rajah Maples-Wallace ’97
About Rajah Maples-Wallace ’97
Rajah Maples is founder and owner of Rajah Maples Media Productions in addition to serving as a former Executive Producer, Evening Television News Anchor, Broadcast Journalist, and News Manager for KHQA Television in Quincy, Illinois. She started reporting as an intern at KHQA. She later worked as a producer’s assistant at “The Today Show” and WNBC in New York City where she worked with and learned from Katie Couric, Ann Curry, Meteorologist Joe Witte, and other news talent. She reported and anchored at KMIZ (ABC-17) in Columbia, Mo. in addition to more training at KOMU. Rajah also has served as news director of KWWC radio.
She’s received awards from the Iowa Broadcast News Association, Illinois Broadcast Association, and Missouri Broadcasters Association. Rajah appeared on CBS’ “The Early Show” in June 2008, reporting on Mississippi River flooding. Her stories have been distributed through CBS Newspath, CNN Newsource, and Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Rajah covered many high-profile news events including protests in Ferguson, Missouri in August 2014. She’s also covered the presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump and the race for Illinois’ 18th Congressional District. Rajah also has reported on many Tri-State dignitary visits, including President Barack Obama, Prince Albert of Monaco, Stephen Covey and Mike Huckabee, and Emmy-award winner Ed Asner.
Rajah served as a legal correspondent for KHQA, working extensively with police departments, prosecutors, defense attorneys, crime victims, victims’ families, and defendants. Her fair, accurate, and compassionate Cold Case storytelling is sought after throughout her viewing area. Rajah has taught News Writing, Speech, and other college communication classes. She is a requested speaker for various community events. You may even spot her singing the national anthem before your favorite sporting event.
She serves as a board member for the Quincy Humane Society, the International Radio and Television Society in New York City, and on the Board of Trustees for Stephens College – a private women’s college in Columbia, Missouri- the second-oldest women’s educational establishment that is still a women’s college in the U.S.
She received her bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Stephens College, and her master’s degree from the Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia where she continued her doctoral studies in media effects and media law.