Jeannette Reyes is a seasoned reporter and influencer. In 2020, she was hired by FOX5, in Washington, in a morning news anchor role that shows off her multiple skills, from her values as a journalist to the fact that she speaks multiple languages. She has taken that even further on her social media channels, inhabiting a rare space: an influencer that has journalistic experience and integrity.
Reyes was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, and is the daughter of Dominican immigrants. She is a proud Afro-Latina, making content in both English and Spanish and spreading visibility wherever she goes. “We are a diverse, vibrant, joyful people with a passion and zest for life. It makes me proud,” she said in a TikTok spotlight series.
In her videos, Reyes shows people what it means to be an immigrant, whether at work or in her personal life. She’s made videos about her natural hair and has shared her complicated feelings on the matter, wearing it curly onscreen as an anchor, and sharing her experience with viewers.
“I do videos in Spanish about my culture as a Dominican. I’ll do some code-switching where I neutralize my accent and then do an “anchor voice.” I’ll dance to Spanish music, do lip syncs and talk about how Latinos come in different colors and backgrounds”
Reyes brings in herself to everything she does. She believes that her immigrant past allows her to be more empathetic, connecting with people on a deeper level.
Aside from her funny and inclusive TikTok content, Reyes is more than a charismatic face on a screen. As a journalist, she’s reported on a variety of tough topics, including the Amtrak trail derailment of 2016 and her own personal experiences with rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition that breaks down muscles due to subjecting them to too much stress.
© Courtesy - Fox NewsReyes is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists and is a prized voice in media, representing the union of influencers and journalists.
