About Me

I am a journalist with more than twenty (20) years of experience. Currently, I am the evening anchor for WATN-TV (ABC) in Memphis, TN. I received my bachelor's degree in mass communications from Alcorn State University and my master's degree in broadcast journalism from Jackson State University.

During my journalism career, I have covered everything from the Mississippi murder trials of Byron De La Beckwith and Sam Bowers to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in Texas. I have featured local Miss America Pageant contestants by following them to Atlantic City. My daily reports about the impact of Hurricane Katrina included an in-depth interview with Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. I also interviewed notable figures and broke many stories in the lacrosse rape investigation at Duke University in North Carolina.

I have also interviewed former NAACP president Myrlie Evers, presidential candidate John Edwards, the late Rosa Parks, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the Reverend Al Sharpton, basketball greats Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, and the late blues legend the B.B. King. And, my reporting on Emmett Till earned me an Emmy nomination.

I founded Katina Rankin Enterprises (KRE), a public relations firm. My public relations work took me to three countries: Israel, Egypt, and Palestine.

My passion truly is helping people. I have given back to the community by speaking to hundreds of church groups, schools, and universities through the years. I have also taught writing classes at Jackson State University. I was honored to give the commencement address at Alcorn State University. And, I was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

I am very humbled to add author to my vitae. I authored and recently published "Up North, Down South: City Folk Meet Country Folk," a children's book. My second children's book, "Kendall's Kitchen: Healthy and Hearty Recipes for Kids" has been written and will be published soon.

As we say in news, "stay tuned", for what's next.

Book Reviews

"I felt a unifying message... Her ministry about being united as one and togetherness is key for our time and generation*****"

"The colorful pages truly capture the moments of every part of the story line being told. My 12 and 10 year old absolutely loved it. They expressed each page with laughter and excitement. AMAZING! AWESOME! BRILLIANT! WONDERFUL! FANTABULOUS!!!!!!!!! "

"This book highlights that no matter where we are from and what our differences are, we are still the same....whether you live Up North or Down South!!!"

"Katina Rankin I have to tell you that this book sparked such a dialogue with my son and I! He had so many questions! He began to further process geographical locations and trying to figure out if he was city or country! Awesome awesome awesome!!"

"My babies really enjoyed the book and pictures were so colorful and captivating. This is definitely a must read book. I encourage any one with children to invest in this book. It also sends a great message that even though we may appear different but inward we are just alike."