Who is Dr. Kortni...
Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon is a Happiness Scholar, TEDx speaker, and Transformational Trainer. Her area of research is interdisciplinary, combining positive psychology, business administration, and media management. Her research concentrations value happier workplaces, well-being, and meaningful work.
Dr. Kortni is hosting her second solo podcast, The Compassionate Newsroom, which focuses on providing evidence-based strategies for leaders in news organizations and journalists to elevate workplace well-being fueled by positive psychology. She continues to serve as a seasonal Podcast Host for Kourting Happiness, which helps listeners learn how to commit to well-being one episode at a time. According to Feedspot, the podcast is among the top 80 for happiness and the workplace. She is also the Department Chair and Associate Professor of Journalism and Communication for the Department of Communication, Art, and Design at Gardner-Webb University.
Dr. Kortni is an advisory board member with the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism at The Carter Center, where she guides journalists globally on effective, empathetic, and accurate reporting on behavioral health. Furthermore, she is an active and dedicated member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), where her husband, Ken Lemon, serves as the 23rd President. She is the founding Co-Chair of the NABJ Wellness Task Force. As a Happiness Scholar, her extensive experience in journalism and expertise in positive psychology have positioned her to train journalists, news managers, and media professionals in workplace well-being and resilience and foster a positive newsroom culture. She has trained and coached news leaders and journalists for the Radio Television Digital News Association, Report for America, the 19th News, the American Press Institute, and the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York.
As a distinguished lecturer at Middle Tennessee State University for the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, she was invited to train faculty and students. In a university-wide session for faculty, staff, and administrators, Dr. Kortni shared how to leverage positive psychology in workplace well-being for in-person and remote work. Learn more about Dr. Kortni’s latest speaking engagements right here.
Dr. Kortni was the Director of News and Public Affairs for WEAA-FM, the leading public radio station for National Public Radio (NPR) news and information in the Baltimore market. She is a recipient of several fellowships by the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation including: Executive Development for Radio Executives at Georgetown University, Connections Mentoring Initiatives, and the Albert Fitzpatrick Media Institute at Cox Headquarters in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Kortni has launched several national news programs such as “The Takeaway” at the time hosted by John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji. The national public radio show is produced by Public Radio International (PRI), BBC, The New York Times, WGBH and WYNC. Additionally, she has served on the advisory committee for "Tell Me More" hosted by Michel Martin and produced by NPR.
Dr. Kortni began her journalism career as a Radio Personality and Entertainment Reporter at WAFL-FM in Delaware. Her commercial television experience began in Midland, Texas, as a General Assignment Reporter for NBC affiliate, KWES-TV. She later became a Reporter in the top markets in the country including New York City, Philadelphia and Houston. Many of her stories gained national news coverage including the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Dr. Kortni has made several appearances on CNN, covering the astronauts’ funerals, Hurricane Claudette and other news events.
Dr. Kortni has a Ph.D. from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communication. She received her Masters of Business Administration at Morgan State University and B.A in Mass Communications from Delaware State University. Dr. Kortni has been inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business honor society, that recognizes the top business students and scholars around the world.
Dr. Kortni is a proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists, International Positive Psychology Association, Broadcast Education Association, and the National Black MBA Association.