Tenikka Smith leaving WSOC to join WAWS/WTEV in Jacksonville

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tenikka Smith will be leaving WSOC-TV to join the Cox Media Group team in Jacksonville TV's WAWS/WTEV.
 
Jim Zerwekh, vice president and general manager of Cox Media Group Jacksonville TV's WAWS/WTEV, announced Tuesday Smith will be joining the team early this fall.
 
Smith comes to Action News from Eyewitness News at WSOC Channel 9 in Charlotte, where she is the weekday morning anchor for Eyewitness News This Morning on TV64.
 
Smith joined WSOC as a reporter in 2009 and was promoted to weekend morning anchor two years later.
 
"We were searching for a key team member to fill this anchor role at WAWS/WTEV, and Tenikka has everything we were looking for," Zerwekh said. "Her commitment to the community and journalism are qualities that will benefit our newsroom and our city."
 
"Tenikka is an exceptional storyteller," said Bob Longo, news director of WAWS/WTEV. "She's both smart and talented and has a knack for finding the exact right emotional tone to communicate those stories to viewers so they get the most from them. Whether it's on the set anchoring or in the field reporting, Tenikka always works to deliver the newest details and information that matters to them.
 
Smith graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in mass communications from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. She also earned her master's in journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park, graduating with honors.
 
Tenikka isn't done with her education. She plans to pursue her doctoral degree with an emphasis on media and minority studies.
 
"I am very excited to join the CBS47 and FOX30 Action News family as we continue our mission to provide viewers quality coverage and original content," Tenikka said. "My husband and I look forward to being a part of the community and calling Jacksonville home."
 
Tenikka is a newlywed and will be moving to Jacksonville with her husband Timothy. She enjoys mentoring young people, trying new cuisine and traveling.

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