Dakarai Turner

In my career, I've gotten the opportunity to tell some amazing stories and meet the amazing people there to tell them.

I'm lucky.

My career in journalism started in Chicago while I was in school, as the intern that asked too many questions, spent my weekends in TV newsrooms and listened to every word of advice I could solicit. Now, it's taken me to Baltimore, where I've covered the rioting, looting and violence that spread through the city after the death of Freddie Gray. I was there when police, draped in riot gear, met face-to-face with an angry community in west Baltimore, when law enforcement resources were deployed throughout the city, and I was there when a nearly-completed senior center burned on Baltimore's east side. A series of stories I've done on "Stolen Valor" is leading to law changes in Maryland.

In Columbia, SC, I reported at WLTX, a CBS affiliate. There, I covered the story of George Stinney, Jr., the youngest person to be executed in America in modern history in 1944. I was there as his sister told a judge her brother was innocent of murder, 70 years after his death. And I was there when a judge agreed, throwing out his conviction. To date, I am the only TV reporter to interview his family. I also made a name for myself for fiercely covering local politics, as well as government, crime and courts.

And its all started with looking for a story to tell.