Today we’d like to introduce you to Tisia Muzinga.
Hi Tisia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had an interest in journalism, even as a kid. I loved writing and was fascinated by history, so storytelling felt like a natural path. After graduating from Platteville High School in Wisconsin, I went on to study Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies at UW–Milwaukee from 2012 to 2016.
Not long after, I connected with my current agent and landed my first opportunity as a multimedia journalist in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at NBC 33/FOX 44. Moving there was a culture shock, but I’m grateful for the two years I spent learning and growing.
From there, I joined KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, where I worked for three years. Honestly, those were some of the best years of my life. People sometimes underestimate Iowa, but it’s where I really honed the craft of storytelling, working alongside some of the best journalists and photographers I’ve ever met. Leaving Des Moines was a tough decision, but I knew it was time to keep pushing myself.
That next step brought me to FOX 4 in Dallas, where I’ve been for the past three years. I’m having a lot of fun here, and I like to think our viewers connect with my big personality on-air.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not — it hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been many moments where I wanted to quit, because this is such a tough industry. When I see friends in the business walk away, I’m honestly proud of them for choosing peace, mental health, and privacy — sometimes even better pay.
For me, one of the biggest struggles has been with my own mental health throughout this journey. While working in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I was followed home after a newscast and robbed at gunpoint just days before my birthday. The man took my wallet and phone, but what stayed with me was the image of a gun pointed at my head and the feeling that my life might end in that moment. All I could think about was my younger sister, who was still very young at the time — who would be there for her if I wasn’t? That experience broke me in many ways, but seven years later, I’m grateful I’m still here. I believe it wasn’t my time to go because I have a greater purpose. I’ve chosen to forgive the man and even pray for him, because carrying bitterness only weighs you down.
Another struggle has been covering deeply painful stories — George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Uvalde. As a Black woman, those stories hit especially hard. Every image felt personal, like I was looking at myself, my father, my mother, my siblings. It’s something many viewers forget: journalists are human too. Holding composure on-air while carrying that weight off-air is a challenge I’ll never forget.
And, of course, being a dark-skinned Black woman in a predominantly white newsroom has had its challenges. The microaggressions, feeling unwelcome, being spoken to differently — those things are real. Too often, Black women are the most disrespected in any room, yet we’re expected to carry ourselves with grace and professionalism, or else we’re labeled “angry.” That’s triggering, but it’s also fueled my resilience.
At the end of the day, I lean on prayer, rest, travel, and even my emotional support dog, Cardi, to recharge. There have been many struggles, but I carry them as part of my story — proof that I’m still standing and still walking in my purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the Weekend Morning Anchor and reporter for FOX 4’s Good Day. My role is a little bit of everything — from breaking news and general assignments to feature stories and, my personal favorite, sports coverage. I especially love when I can step away from the anchor desk and get into the community, meeting people who are making an impact. Dallas is full of incredible people, and being able to share their stories is what makes my job so rewarding.
What sets me apart? Honestly, my personality. Talking has always been my “superpower” — it got me in trouble as a kid because I could never stop, but now it’s one of my greatest strengths on-air. I’m not afraid to be myself, speak my mind, and embrace my culture. That includes showing up authentically, whether it’s through the stories I tell or the way I express myself — like switching up my hair, because as a Black woman, I can’t (and won’t) straighten it every day. I think viewers connect with that realness, and I’m proud to bring it to everything I do.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
When I’m not at work, you can usually find me walking my dog, at the gym, or winding down with a podcast or audiobook. Gabrielle Union’s book really resonated with me because I identified so much with her experience of being the “only one” in predominantly white spaces — the challenges, the isolation, and the strength it takes to keep showing up. Plus, I’ve always been such a huge fan of hers.
One book that changed my life is Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. I first read it as a teenager, around 16 or 17, when I was tired of reading the books assigned in school that didn’t reflect my world or my voice. The Bluest Eye felt completely different. Even now, at 31, I can’t fully articulate the impact it had on me — it’s one of those books I’ll read for the rest of my life.
As for podcasts, I love Jay Shetty’s show for its wisdom and perspective, as well as athlete-driven conversations like The Pivot Podcast. I’m also inspired by voices like Sue Bird, Angel Reese, and Mariah Rose and her “Hoops for Hotties is great” — there’s so much more I could name.
Image Credits
Tisia Muzinga
