BRIANA SMITH OF KDKA-TV, JESSICA FAITH OF WPXI-TV
by Marcia Liggett, For New Pittsburgh Courier
The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that WPXI-TV meteorologist Jessica Faith is exiting the station, and moving to the Washington, D.C., area to work for NBC 4, WRC-TV. Her final day at WPXI is April 21.
“I appreciate the way I’ve been able to serve here in Pittsburgh and how well I’ve been received in Pittsburgh,” Faith told the Courier exclusively. “I can honestly say my experience at WPXI has been lovely, and uplifting. I will always cherish my time at WPXI and in Pittsburgh. I have so much love, respect and admiration for my co-workers and bosses as they have helped me grow and continue to make me better. My colleagues at WPXI are some of the best people in the business. The entire time I’ve been in Pittsburgh has been nothing but positive.”
JESSICA FAITH, STANDING IN FRONT OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Faith shared that she and husband, Renaldo Pearson, will always have a huge love for Pittsburgh, explaining they “put down roots, and (will) always be Pittsburgh sports fans.”
“During our time here, we really fell in love with Pittsburgh. We talked about staying here and buying a house, but when the opportunity came up to go to D.C., we thought about the future of our family and what that would look like, and we decided it would be great to be near family. It’s also a great move professionally, as was WPXI. I had a three-year contract that’s wrapping up, which allowed me to go to D.C. We really think this will be the best thing for the future of our family. My husband is from the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia area), and our family there is ecstatic that they can now watch me locally on their favorite news station. Nothing negative is making me leave.”
Faith, who was born in Montgomery and raised in Clanton, Ala, graduated from Alabama A&M University with a degree in communication. She later completed her Broadcast Meteorology degree from Mississippi State University.
In December 2016, Faith landed a position as a meteorologist at KLTV-TV (7 News) in Tyler, Tex. Next, she joined the First Alert Weather Team at WAFF-TV (48) in Huntsville, Ala., where she was a former intern. Applauding WPXI’s committed to diversity, Faith expressed gratitude for being sought out by the powers at WPXI. In June 2020, two weeks after marrying Pearson, the couple relocated to Pittsburgh, where Faith made history as the first Black female meteorologist to have a regular role on Pittsburgh local news for an extended period.
“I don’t think that Pittsburgh, WPXI or the other stations are against hiring Black female meteorologists,” Faith told the Courier. “Every job and every company can do better with recruitment for Black talent, people of color, diversity in general.”
She noted that many Black on-air talents desire positions in major cities with large Black viewership, such as Atlanta, Chicago, D.C., New York City, etc., which makes it difficult for news stations in smaller cities, such as the Pittsburgh market, to recruit and maintain Black talent.
A larger viewing area will afford Faith the opportunity for greater impact and visibility. “A lot of what I plan to do in D.C. is what I’ve already been doing in Pittsburgh, which is reaching out to the community, being a great (representative), and I think in D.C. because there is a large population of Black women, I may have that opportunity a little bit more.”
However, she encourages everyone, regardless of their race, to pursue an on-air career in Pittsburgh, as she feels the city is welcoming to everyone.
Faith told the Courier she wanted to publicly dispel rumors that are circulating. “It’s been said online that Pittsburgh can’t keep Black talent. I don’t think that’s what it is. If you see Black talent leaving, they may have an opportunity to move back to their hometown. Everyone has their own personal reasons for leaving.”
“Many people are leaving TV in general,” Faith pointed out. One such drastic move was recently made by WPXI’s Sarafina James, a Pittsburgh native who joined Channel 11 as a freelance reporter in September 2020, worked as a staff reporter in early 2021, then abruptly departed WPXI in January of this year. James shared on social media: “After almost a decade in TV news, I’m taking a step away to focus on a new goal and dream.”
She is now the Senior Public Relations Analyst for Allegheny Health Network.
WPXI is still home to two African American female TV personalities. Talia Kirkland, a Penn Hills native and Duquesne University graduate, joined WPXI in January 2022 as a general assignment reporter. She previously worked as a multimedia reporter for WTXF-TV in Philadelphia and WDTV-TV in Clarksburg, W.Va.
Emmy Award-winning reporter Lisa Sylvester joined the WPXI family in October 2013. Her experience includes working for multiple news outlets, including CNN, and ABC in Washington, D.C. Sylvester currently co-anchors Channel 11 News at 5, 6 and 11 p.m., and Channel 11 News on Fox 53 at 10 p.m. Sylvester is the only African American female weekday evening anchor among Pittsburgh’s three local news stations (KDKA, WTAE, WPXI).
Briana Smith leaving KDKA-TV for Philadelphia
BRIANA SMITH OF KDKA-TV
Weekend morning news viewers are familiar with Briana Smith. She’s been anchoring the KDKA-TV morning news in that position for about two years.
But on Monday, April 3, she announced via Twitter that she will be leaving KDKA for a reporter position at 6 ABC in Philadelphia. Her last day at KDKA is May 24.
“I can’t thank you enough for providing me with love, growth and memories these past 2 years!” she wrote on Twitter.
Smith’s pending departure leaves KDKA-TV with two African American women on its local airwaves — Mikey Hood, who is a host on Pittsburgh Today Live, weekdays at 9 a.m. Hood is also a New Pittsburgh Courier “Woman of Excellence” from the 2022 class, and will host the Courier’s “Fab 40” celebration on April 14. She also hosted the “Women of Excellence” event in 2019. And Lisa Smith, who hosts “Intersections” on KDKA-operated “The CW,” Sundays at 11:30 a.m.
– Rob Taylor Jr.
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