Tonyaa J. Weathersbee

Professor Tonyaa J. Weathersbee is the Hardin Chair of Excellence in Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Memphis. A distinguished journalist with over three decades of experience, she previously served as a metro columnist for The Commercial Appeal (2016-2022) and bureau chief for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Her work focuses on marginalized communities, racial justice, and media representation of the Afro-Latin diaspora.

• Education:
  • M.A. in Mass Communication (Intercultural/International Communication), University of Florida
  • Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies, University of Florida
  • B.S. in Journalism, University of Florida

Her research examines how media coverage influences perceptions of Latino migrants in rural America and explores pathways to address systemic inequities through journalism. She presented her work on Afro-Latin diaspora narratives at the 2019 Latin American Studies Congress and is preparing to publish her travel-based insights on Cuba and related regions.

Professional Affiliations:

• National Association of Black Journalists
• Association of Educators in Journalism and Mass Communications
• Society of Professional Journalists
• Latin American Studies Association