Action News Jax Tenikka Hughes featured in Jacksonville Library’s Passion for Reading Campaign

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax Anchor Tenikka Hughes was selected by Jacksonville Public Library to be featured in its “Passion for Reading” campaign that is currently underway. The campaign includes video profiles of people from the community who amplify the importance and impact of reading.

Tenikka is an advocate for youth literacy and education.  She has spent countless hours reading to local children and is the power behind Tenikka’s Books for Kids, also known as #TB4K. The annual book drive, in partnership with Jacksonville Public Library, collects children’s books that are given to kids who meet their summer reading goals while participating in the library’s Summer Reading Program. The books are given at no cost to children or their families.

Jacksonville Public Library’s Assistant Director of Community Relations and Marketing Chris Boivin said the goal of the “Passion for Reading” Campaign is to energize, unify and inspire the community. Boivin said, “There’s no “borrow a book” call to action here, it’s much bigger than that, and it’s why Tenikka was among those selected for the videos. Her message is more than just ‘read a book,’ it’s ‘become a reader.’ It’s the lifelong habit that starts in childhood.”

Tenikka said, “I’m deeply honored Jacksonville Public Library wanted to include me in its “Passion for Reading” campaign. I harnessed the power of reading at a very early age and it propelled me down a path to pursuing and living out my dreams. I’ve devoted myself to paying it forward, doing my part to put that same power into the hands, hearts and minds of children.”

Tenikka is also a volunteer member of the Community Advisory Council of the UF First Coast Child Protection Team. During the height of the pandemic, Tenikka expanded her efforts by partnering with the team to add Tenikka’s Books for Kids “book nooks” across the agency’s eight-county service area. The free books are provided to children receiving part of team’s services as a means of providing comfort, hope and a sense of normalcy in their lives.

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You can see Tenikka’s “Passion for Reading” campaign video within this story and airing locally on CBS47 and FOX30 Action News Jax, Telemundo and MyTV.