Check Out Yolanda Harris’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Harris.

Hi Yolanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My start on local television was a stint as a host of the Fox28 Kids Club. It was a series of vignettes that wrapped around the cartoon line-up on the Columbus Fox affiliate. I read pictures, jokes, and letters. Performed with the Columbus Police band at schools with the “Safety City” program and reported for a show called “Take 1.”

It was a fun beginning that led to a career in local news when the station started a 10 o’clock news, I believe, in 1996. I went on to become a news reporter and eventually an anchor for WTTE Fox 28, WSYX ABC-6, and now WBNS 10TV.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not totally. It was a scenario of being at the right place at the right time. I was given opportunities with the chance to sink or swim. I’ve had great mentors throughout my career, people like Dan Fabrizio, who’s now a news director, and former anchors and reporters like Lorene Wagner, Deborah Countiss, and Carol Luper. Amazing, talented people.

My struggle in the early years of my career was just breaking out of that “Kids Club” identity to be taken seriously as a journalist. What you do is not who you are… I had a lot of fun back then but I had to prove myself as a news reporter.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a hometown girl. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I know this city, I love this city and I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m blessed to be able to do what I’ve loved in the city I love. Many news people travel from state to state to grow their careers. I was able to do it here and not have to move around.

There are benefits to moving around and experiencing different places as a news reporter. But, I was able to continue to move up in my hometown and I’m very thankful and proud of that. I like to tell stories from our community. I prefer the “feel good” stories over the crime, gloom, and doom. But, that’s part of the job.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is family. The older you get, the more you realize what’s truly important. The health and happiness of my family, great relationships with good friends, and the ability to help others… are some of the things that matter most to me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yolandaharristv/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YolandaHarris10TV
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/yolandaharrisTV