Akilah Davis Bio, Age, ABC 11, Husband, Family, Net Worth, Salary

Akilah Davis is a respected American broadcast journalist and Race & Culture reporter for ABC 11 WTVD Eyewitness News in the Raleigh–Durham, North Carolina market. Known for tackling complex social issues with clarity and empathy, she has built a reputation as a thoughtful storyteller and community voice in local journalism.

From Chicago’s South-Side curiosity to the first Race & Culture reporter at ABC11 WTVD, Akilah Davis has turned neighborhood questions into headline-changing journalism. Below is the most current deep-dive on the Emmy-nominated storyteller.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Born and raised on Chicago’s west side, Akilah’s inquisitive streak started early—peppering her parents with “why?” until they bought her a children’s encyclopedia set. At Austin Community Academy High she commandeered the morning announcements, calling it “my first anchor desk.”

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – B.S. Journalism (2011).
• University of Illinois Springfield – M.A. Communication (2013) while interning at WICD-TV Champaign.

Career Journey

Early Reporting Years

Davis began her career in local news, honing core skills such as field reporting, live shots, source development, and investigative follow-ups. These formative years helped establish her credibility and versatility across beats.

ABC11 (WTVD)

Akilah Davis later joined ABC11, one of North Carolina’s most influential local news stations. At WTVD, she reports on:

• Community and human-interest stories
• Local government and public safety
• Breaking news and developing events

Her reporting style emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and audience relevance—qualities essential in a competitive, fast-paced local news market.

Recent Activity (2024–2026)

In recent years, Davis has continued covering high-impact local stories while expanding her digital presence through station platforms and social media. Her work often bridges traditional broadcast with online storytelling, reflecting the industry’s shift toward multiplatform journalism.

Signature Coverage

• George Floyd memorial – Raeford, NC (2020) – live shots viewed 1.8 M times on Facebook.
• COVID’s toll on Black maternal health – 3-part investigation prompted county-level grants.
• “Untold Fort Bragg” – rare sit-down with female Black paratroopers facing bias.

Career Stats & Recognition

Personal Life

Marriage & Family

• Wed Jonathan Taylor, Charlotte-based tech consultant, in an intimate Chicago rooftop ceremony (Aug 2018).
• Daughter Zora Menelik Taylor born March 2021 – announced on-air with matching mother-daughter head-wraps.

Community Role

• Board member, NC Black Alliance; mentors 10 HBCU journalism students yearly through NABJ-ABC11 fellowship she co-founded.

Hobbies

• Locs-care lives on IG every Sunday (#LocLoveWithAD).
• Races 5 k’s for charity; PR 28:45 (2025 Turkey Trot).

Physical Statistics

• Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
• Weight: ≈ 137 lb (62 kg)
• Dress Size: 6 US
• Shoe Size: 8 US
• Hair: Mid-back natural locs
• Eyes: Dark brown

Quotes

“Stories find me when I stop talking and start listening with my whole face.”
“My locs are not a ‘look’—they’re lineage. Every twist holds history I refuse to mute.”

Controversies & Challenges

• 2020 Facebook troll attack after George Floyd coverage—station publicly backed her; troll account removed.
• 2023 traffic-stop live-tweet – viewers debated reporter safety; Fayetteville PD later invited her to officer bias-training panel.

Favorites

• Morning drink: almond-milk chai
• Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston
• Music: Lauryn Hill, H.E.R.
• Vacation spot: Tulum, Mexico (annual girls-trip)
• Wardrobe staple: thrifted blazers + bold lipstick

Salary & Net Worth 2026

• WTVD base salary – ≈ $125 k
• Freelance hosting / speaking – ≈ $35 k yr
• Real-estate equity – Raleigh town-home ($390 k)
• Retirement / 403 b – ≈ $190 k
• Net worth estimate: $650 k (2026)

Interesting Facts

1. Still owns first reporter notebook from WICD—uses it for speech notes.
2. Alpha Kappa Alpha line name: “Story” (because she “always had one more question”).
3. Can recite entire Maya Angelou Phenomenal Woman—performed it at 2022 NABJ gala.
4. Collects vintage typewriters; displays 1958 sky-blue Smith-Corona in office.
5. Once swapped roles with a 5th-grade class for “Akilah Takeover” literacy piece—kids directed her live-shot.

Did You Know?

Akilah’s 2021 investigative piece on Black maternal mortality was cited in North Carolina’s 2022 House Bill 507 allocating $6 million toward doula coverage—proof her reporting changes law.

Social Media Links

• Instagram (personal): @akilahdavistv
• Instagram (work): @davisabc11
• Facebook: AkilahDavisWTVD
• Twitter/X: @AkilahDavisTV
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/akilah-davis-7968a4112

FAQs

How old is Akilah Davis in 2026?
36 years 9 months old years old.

What is her ethnicity & background?
African-American; native Chicagoan.

Is Akilah Davis married?
Yes—married Jonathan “J.T.” Taylor 2018; one daughter, Zora.

Where did she go to college?
Undergrad: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Graduate: University of Illinois Springfield.

What does a Race & Culture reporter do?
Uses data & storytelling to spotlight systemic inequities in housing, education, health, policing; hosts town-halls and solutions-oriented segments.

Conclusion

From school-announcement whiz kid to boundary-breaking Race & Culture journalist, Akilah Davis proves that curiosity plus compassion can re-shape local news. Whether unpacking Fort Bragg disparities or celebrating Black hair on-air, she keeps the microphone firmly planted where community meets change.

Share this profile with anyone who believes journalism should look like the people it serves—and follow her journey as she turns more “why’s” into action.