Tenikka Hughes, Action News Jax

Tenikka Hughes is an evening anchor at Action News Jax. She anchors the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. weekday newscasts on CBS47 and the 4, 6:30 and 10 p.m. newscasts on FOX30. Tenikka is a two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and has received several honors from the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists, including Best Anchor. She is also proud of her contribution to the Action News Jax team's regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in Large Market Television. Tenikka has a passion for storytelling and providing information that impacts the lives of viewers and their families. Her career in television news spans nearly 20 years. During that time, Tenikka has garnered a reputation for being a key contributor and compassionate leader. Tenikka is a youth literacy and education advocate. She has volunteered countless hours speaking to children and reading at local schools, libraries, daycares and community events. Tenikka is the driving force behind “Tenikka’s Books for Kids,” an annual book collection initiative that’s put nearly 20,000 free books in the hands of local children since its inception in 2018. The books are given to children who meet their summer reading goals while participating in the Jacksonville Library’s Summer Reading Program. As a result of her advocacy and service, Tenikka has been honored with the Mary J. Brogan Leadership Award from the Florida Literacy Coalition and the Media Friend of Education Award from the Florida State Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. Prior to making the move to the River City, Tenikka worked as a morning anchor and reporter with Action News Jacksonville's sister station, WSOC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has also worked at stations in Memphis, Tennessee, and Macon, Georgia. Her work has been featured on a variety of national media outlets. Tenikka's research has also been published in the Journal of Health Communication. Tenikka is from the small town of Whitakers, North Carolina. She graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in Mass Communications from Benedict College, a historically Black college in Columbia, South Carolina. She also earned a Master's in Journalism from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland at College Park. Tenikka enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants with her husband. If you have a story idea or would like her to visit your classroom or community event, email her at thughes@actionnewsjax.com.