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Katina Rankin, a native of Magee, is a journalist. She is the evening anchor for WATN-TV (ABC) in Memphis, TN. She received her bachelor's degree in mass communications from Alcorn State University and her master's degree in broadcast journalism from Jackson State University.
While attending ASU, Katina began her journalism career as an intern at WLBT. After six years on the air in Mississippi, Katina's career led her to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, where she co-anchored the main newscast at Eyewitness News.
During her journalism career, Katina has covered everything from the Mississippi murder trials of Byron De La Beckwith and Sam Bowers to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in Texas. She has featured local Miss America Pageant contestants by following them to Atlantic City, and she has traveled to San Antonio for the Final Four tournaments. Katina's daily reports about the impact of Hurricane Katrina included an in-depth interview with Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. She also interviewed notable figures and broke many stories in the lacrosse rape investigation at Duke University in North Carolina.
Katina has 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 blues legend B.B. King. Katina also distinguished herself as a journalist by earning several awards.
After more than seventeen years in broadcast and print media, Katina felt entrepreneurial, and she founded Katina Rankin Enterprises (KRE), a public relations firm. Katina's public relations work took her to three countries: Israel, Egypt, and Palestine. During her travels, Katina interviewed world peace advocate and recording artist Fred Nassiri and the Governess of Bethlehem, Palestine Salah Al-Ta'mari -- just to name a few.
Katina's passion is helping people. She has given back to the community by speaking to hundreds of church groups, schools, and universities through the years. Katina believes proper training can help individuals realize their potential and help them get to the next level. Katina has also taught writing classes at Jackson State University. Katina has also given the commencement address at Alcorn State University. And she has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Katina has authored and recently published "Up North, Down South: City Folk Meet Country Folk," a children's book.
Reviewed by Tshombye K. Ware for Readers' Favorite
Up North, Down South: City Folk Meet Country Folk by Katina L. Rankin is a wonderful children's book about a family's fun-filled travel to a place they never visited before. The author takes readers on an unforgettable journey to Mississippi, while addressing common labels attached to southerners in comparison to northerners.
This is a highly illustrated book written for children. It's captivating and educational. It encompasses the distinct personality between northerners and southerners. I've had the opportunity to travel north and south and I agree the dialogue is quite different. The book meets all expectations that one would expect from a children's book. The author has inserted illustrations to help the story along. The dialogue is appropriate and, overall, the book is well-written by an obviously talented author.
This book will touch all emotions. I found myself smiling in delight at some parts. Only someone with experience traveling from north to south could write such a real-life story. This is one of those books that children of all ages will not only appreciate but genuinely love. The writings therein are not too advanced. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys family oriented books. This is one of those books that should be read to children during pre-school and beyond. I can see young readers smiling in excitement as the story unfolds.
