Today we’d like to introduce you to Tenikka Hughes.
Hi, Tenikka. Thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m an award-winning veteran journalist, having spent nearly 20 years working in television news. I currently anchor the 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts on CBS47 & FOX30 Action News Jax. Prior to coming to the River City, I worked in Charlotte, Memphis and Macon.
I knew I wanted to become a journalist from an early age. My mom says that when I was around 6 years old, I would use a hairbrush as my microphone, create an audience of stuffed animals and read issues of JET magazine to them like I was presenting a newscast. I’ve certainly come a long way since then! I’m fortunate to have my childhood dream become a reality.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story — has it been an easy path overall, and if not what are some challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a journalist is a very demanding and competitive career. After graduate school, I sent VHS tapes with samples of my work to dozens of news stations across the country to land my first on-air job. Once you get a shot, new challenges emerge. For many journalists just starting out, the pay is low and there’s a steep learning curve.
So, I spent much of my young adulthood navigating that while trying to ascend in my career. In addition, the life of a journalist revolves around constant deadlines and shifting expectations depending on what’s happening in the world. I also bear a lot of responsibility, from ensuring the content I produce and present is accurate and fair, to being mindful of the impact of my public platform. It’s a career that has come with its own set of professional and personal sacrifices.
Whether it’s working around the clock to keep the public informed during severe weather, gathering news in dangerous or hostile environments, navigating stressful newsroom environments, missing important life events due to not having the time off, facing public scrutiny for your coverage or physical appearance, or dealing with the mental toll of covering a tragic story, the list of challenges for any journalist can be varied and long.
I will say that over my nearly two-decade career, I’ve learned a lot about myself and the world around me. I’ve been embraced by the communities I’ve served and met some incredible colleagues who have become like family. I’ve also had the privilege of telling thousands of stories of people who’ve left me inspired, hopeful, awestruck and with renewed faith in the good that exists in this world.
So let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about you and your work?
I’ve gained a reputation for being an advocate and compassionate person with a high level of emotional intelligence. I’ve naturally taken on several roles over the course of my career, including that of mentor, friend and even “honorary Auntie.” As I’ve said, I know that the lives and careers of the people in my industry can sometimes present challenges and uncertainty. So it does my heart good to be a source of light and support.
Professionally, I’ve been honored with several industry and community accolades over the years, including two Emmy Awards, being named Folio Weekly’s Best TV Anchor, and receiving the Florida Literacy Coalition’s 2021 Mary J. Brogan Award for my efforts to support youth literacy. Being read to as a child and having access to books at home had a profound effect on me. It established my love of reading and writing, which essentially set me on course to become a journalist. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to use my platform to share the importance of youth literacy and education, as well as give the gift of reading.
I’m very proud of my annual book drive, Tenikka’s Books for Kids, also known as #TB4K. The campaign collects new book donations that are given to children who meet their reading goals while participating in Jacksonville Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. Thanks to incredible support from the community, we’ve put more than 13,000 free books in the hands of local children since #TB4K started in 2018. This year’s drive runs for two weeks in March and I’m hopeful we will get a record number of book donations for our children! You can get updates and donate here: https://www.actionnewsjax.com/tb4k/
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking?
I approach potential risks by having faith. I bet on myself, my worth, my talents and my instincts. I believe in my ability to thrive and elevate the spaces I occupy. I come from a family of sharecroppers. I was raised in a small town in eastern North Carolina where most families still live below the poverty line.
The notions of going off to college, pursuing a career in television news, and moving state-to-state every few years for work were all perceived as risks to some of the people I’ve encountered. I chose to focus on my goals and persist. Thankfully, I’ve found success along the way. I’ve been blessed to have an incredibly supportive family, husband, circle of friends and therapist. They cheer me on, lift me up, hold me accountable, respect my choices and accept me just as I am.
Have I experienced losses, challenges, naysayers and struggles along the way? Absolutely. Have I doubted myself or questioned my decisions at times? Sure. Am I still figuring some things out? Yes. Ultimately, I reflect on my purpose, motivation and intentions. Where do I want to focus my energy? How do I want to show up in this world? What brings me peace? What makes my heart smile? I check in with myself. I give myself grace. I affirm myself. I give myself permission to chart my own course and the freedom to change the destination along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tenikkahughes.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/tsmithhughes/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/TenikkaHughes - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
TenikkaANjax - Other: https://www.
actionnewsjax.com/tb4k/
