About Ashanti
Award-Winning Journalism & Broadcasting Career
Ashanti launched her career as a Field Producer for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s broadcasting unit, delivering high-impact business reports for WTVJ-NBC 4 and conducting investigative interviews for WSFL-TV. She transitioned to on-air reporting as a Morning News Reporter and Fill-In Anchor for KFOX-TV in El Paso, TX, before moving to KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, NV, where she won her first Emmy Award for outstanding continuing coverage.
Her expertise in breaking news and investigative reporting led her to KXAS-TV NBC 5 in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, where she was recognized by the Lone Star Regional Emmy Chapter with two Emmy nominations for news anchoring and news writing.
Higher Education Leadership & Student Media Development
Currently, Ashanti is the Interim Associate Dean of the Center for Media and Design at Santa Monica College, where she oversees 20+ career education programs and SMC’s only bachelor's degree program. Previously, as faculty advisor for The Corsair, she led the student-run newspaper to multiple national awards, including Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Awards—often referred to as the Pulitzer Prize of collegiate journalism.
Her commitment to media education extends to Loyola Marymount University, where she served as Assistant Director of Student Media, overseeing the award-winning student-run TV station, newspaper, and yearbook. She has also taught journalism courses at USC Annenberg, Loyola Marymount University, UCLA Extension, and Richland College.
Industry Leadership & Advocacy for Press Freedom
Ashanti made history as the first Black woman elected President of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) national board of directors. She also led the Greater Los Angeles chapter of SPJ, where she collaborated with major journalism organizations, media unions, and First Amendment advocacy groups to successfully lobby for stronger press freedom laws in California.
Education & Thought Leadership
Ashanti holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Columbia University, a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Miami, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership and Innovation at Arizona State University.
Book Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins as a Speaker or Consultant
Looking for an expert media consultant, keynote speaker, or journalism educator? Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins brings unparalleled expertise in broadcast journalism, media strategy, higher education, and press freedom advocacy. Contact her today to discuss media consulting, public speaking engagements, or strategic communications training.
