Meet Akilah, Race & Culture Reporter for ABC Owned Television Stations
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 2024 conference is here! We sat down with Akilah, Race & Culture Reporter for ABC Owned Television Stations (ABC OTVS) to hear her career journey and her personal connection to NABJ.
Tell us about your career journey with ABC OTV. How did you get your start?
“I accepted the role as the Fayetteville Bureau Reporter for ABC11 in July of 2017. It was quite the experience because almost immediately was I immersed into covering a military town. Fayetteville, North Carolina is home to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg). The sacrifices service members and their families make are seen daily. I was able to witness the heartache, countless missed holidays, the grief, the excitement, and everything in between. In 2020, I was given the opportunity to cover George Floyd’s funeral in Raeford, North Carolina where thousands flocked to honor him. I provided coverage to all of the ABC OTVS that day. The station group launched the Race and Culture content division, and I became the inaugural reporter at ABC11 covering the Triangle.”
Tell me about your role and your day-to-day responsibilities!
“My day-to-day responsibilities require me to amplify the voices of people in underserved and marginalized communities. I pitch high-impact content, often centered around national news with local ties. Frankly, I take pride in providing inclusive storytelling to our viewers. It is the most fulfilled I’ve been as a journalist as it’s been truly rewarding.”
What is a favorite project you’ve worked on?
“I declared Juneteenth of 2023 as ‘Hair Freedom Day.’ After years of wearing weaves and wigs while working in this industry, I decided to define my own model of beauty. The story went viral and was picked up by national media outlets, including all ABC OTVS. The truth is many Black women identified with the story because they could relate. The hair story and reveal was a matter of me reclaiming my identity. My hair has nothing to do with my journalistic ability. I received hundreds of emails from women across the world. I was able to follow up one year later with another story that showed how it impacted women living in the Triangle.”
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is important not just at ABC OTVS, but everywhere. How do you focus on DEI in your role?
“The existence of my role says that ABC OTVS has a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. It is part of the core values of the company. My newsroom leadership works to honor that commitment to the community each day by making room for stories that reflect our viewership. What I’ve learned is there is a DEI angle in nearly every general assignment story. You just have to find it.”
Journalism conferences have kicked off for the summer! What is your connection to the NABJ conference?
“I am a member of NABJ - Raleigh Durham. It’s been wonderful connecting with journalists that look like me and share my experiences. We have held meaningful panel discussions like, ‘The Impact of Black Fathers, Changing the Narrative’ and ‘Black History Month Game Changers in Local News.’ In March, there was a session held for Women’s History Month in which WTVD-TV’s Vice President of News, Bervette Caree, who made history as the first Black woman to lead the newsroom, attended. She shared her experience as well as provided tips to other women wanting to become newsroom leaders.”
Why do you think it’s important for ABC OTVS to attend the journalism conferences?
“It’s critical for ABC OTVS to attend journalism conferences like NABJ because newsrooms need to reflect the communities they serve. Historically, that has not been the case. When there is no representation in newsrooms, crucial facts and valid perspectives are missed. ABC should attend journalism conferences to connect with the diverse group of journalists who are preparing to move the industry forward.”
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