GeneralLast Updated on 1 month by General
Tuwanda embarked on her career at NewsChannel 5 just a fortnight after graduating with honors from Western Kentucky University, armed with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting. Her unwavering passion for television, kindled by witnessing Oprah Winfrey’s captivating news delivery, was the driving force behind her aspirations.
Hailing from Cadiz, Kentucky, Tuwanda’s initial role at NewsChannel 5 was that of a studio camera operator, a position she dedicated a decade to. During these ten years, she ventured into the world of producing, contributing to projects such as the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and the Children Miracle Network Telethon, benefiting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. As her responsibilities as a special projects producer grew, so did her desire to produce full-time. In 1992, the opportunity arose for her to join the “Talk of the Town” team as an assistant producer. Merely six months later, she earned a promotion to a full-time producer. In 2003, Tuwanda transitioned from behind the camera to in front of it, taking on the role of a field reporter for “Talk of the Town.” Beyond her duties there, she also hosts “The Plus Side of Nashville” and the “Talk of the Town” spin-off show, “Taste of the Town,” for NewsChannel 5+.
Tuwanda is deeply committed to her community, actively engaging with various boards and organizations. Her affiliations include the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Advisory Board, the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences, the Oasis Center, YMCA Black Achievers, Nashville Film Festival, and Youth About Business. She’s also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Tuwanda’s dedication and contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 1995, she received a Mid-South regional Emmy nomination for a series of Black History Month tributes. In 2007, her work on a NewsChannel 5 special spotlighting the hit Broadway musical “The Lion King” earned her another nomination.
In 2015, Tuwanda achieved national recognition when she was bestowed with the title of “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Television Media Person of the Year.” This honor celebrated her three decades of unwavering dedication to promoting and raising funds for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Beyond her professional life, Tuwanda cherishes her role as a bonus-mom to her stepdaughter, Yolanda. During her precious moments of leisure, she finds solace in traveling with her husband, Charles, as well as taking strolls and immersing herself in the world of books.