Teresa Whitaker '85 Biography

Teresa Whitaker began her career in television in 1987 as a production assistant. After six months, she was promoted to news where she began her reporting career as a general assignment reporter. Not long after she became a reporter, Teresa was promoted to the anchor desk. She’s anchored mornings and weekends, and at noon. She now co-anchors the 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights. 

Teresa is passionate about service and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service sorority where she has served in her local chapter as Chair of the 60th Anniversary Steering Committee, Founders Day Committee,  Gospelfest Committee, and co-chair of the Scholarship Gala Committee. She now serves on the Membership Services Committee and as Chair of Public Relations. 

Teresa has also served on the  Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors where she served on the Faith Committee and the Public Relations/Fundraising Committee. 

Teresa’s work has been recognized by several organizations including the Associated Press, NAACP, Toastmasters International, Sister’s Inc., and Girl Scouts. In March of 2024, Teresa was inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from CVCC, where she was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame. She earned her BA in Mass Communications, emphasis in Broadcast Journalism from West Georgia College (now known as the University of West Georgia). She’s a graduate of Kendrick High School.

Teresa is proud of the fact that she’s an “Army Brat.” 

Teresa is a woman of faith, having accepted Christ at an early age. As a church member over the years she has served as a choir/praise team member, Director of Women’s Ministry, the prayer team, Evangelism and Outreach Team, and Harvest Team. As the Director of Women’s Ministry at her former church, teresa launched a successful Feed the Homeless program that provided hot meals to various tent populations in Columbus. She accepted her call into the Ministry on September 29, 2019.

Teresa is a published author. Her first book, “Behind The Smile: What The Camera Could Not Capture” was published in January 2021. The second edition of the book was recently published. They both chronicle her life from her childhood dream of becoming a television journalist to her realization that it was all God’s plan.

Teresa can be found emceeing several events, speaking at churches, and rolling up her sleeves to serve the poor throughout the year. She lives by the mantra “Blessed to be a blessing.”