Cleveland Media Academy hear about storytelling from WKYC's Danielle Wiggins during a session on Jan. 31.
From left to right, WKYC producer Mea Griffin, reporter/anchor Danielle Wiggins and Russ Mitchell, Anchor and Managing Editor, address students participating in the Cleveland Media Academy at the WKYC facility on Saturday, Jan.
31, 2026.CLEVELAND, Ohio - On a quiet Cleveland morning, before most of the city has shaken off sleep, the lights inside WKYC Studios are already glowing. Danielle Wiggins sits at the anchor desk, notes neatly stacked, posture calm but alert. When the cameras roll, her voice is steady and warm—familiar to viewers who have welcomed her into their homes for years. To them, she is more than a journalist. She is a storyteller, a listener, and, increasingly, a symbol of resilience. On Jan. 31, Wiggins told the story of her career and her passion for news as she talked at WKYC Studios with students participating in the Cleveland Media Academy. Wiggins’ path to the newsroom did not begin under bright studio lights. It started in classrooms and college hallways at Kent State University, where she first learned the power of words and the responsibility that comes with sharing them. As a student, she earned an internship with NPR’s All Things Considered, a formative experience that taught her the value of careful listening. There, she discovered that journalism wasn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it was about asking the right questions and letting others be heard.After transitioning into television, Wiggins said she quickly developed a reputation for reporting that went beyond headlines. She didn’t just cover stories; she connected with them. Whether she was reporting from a school hallway, a neighborhood block, or a crowded community meeting, she approached each assignment with curiosity and empathy. Over time, her work at WKYC Studios earned her a prominent role as co-anchor of the weekend edition of 3News Morning Show and lead reporter for the station’s Education Station. Education, for Wiggins, was never just a beat — it was a mission. She saw schools not as systems, but as ecosystems filled with students, parents, and educators whose stories often went untold. She highlighted classrooms fighting for resources, teachers reinventing learning, and students pushing past circumstances stacked against them.That balance became the foundation of one of her most impactful projects: the “Rising” initiative. Through Rising, Wiggins told the stories of local residents overcoming adversity — people rebuilding their lives after loss, fighting for their futures, and finding strength in community. These were not polished success stories; they were honest ones. Recognition followed. Wiggins received multiple regional Emmy Awards and national Gracie Awards for her storytelling — honors that celebrate excellence in journalism and the authentic representation of women’s voices.In 2022, Wiggins faced a story she never expected to tell — her own. After being diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer, she made the decision to share her journey publicly. It was not an easy choice. Journalists are trained to stand behind the camera, not in front of it. But Wiggins understood the power of visibility. By speaking openly about her diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, she hoped to encourage early detection and remind others to prioritize their health. Her honesty resonated deeply. She said viewers sent messages of support, shared their own stories, and scheduled checkups they had been putting off. Through vulnerability, Wiggins turned personal experience into public service. Throughout treatment, she continued to embody the same strength she had documented in others for years. She showed that resilience does not always look like bravery — it sometimes looks like showing up, asking for help, and moving forward one day at a time. Today, Wiggins continues to do what she has always done best: tell stories that lift people up. From the anchor desk to the field, she remains grounded in the belief that journalism can be both informative and humane. In a media landscape often dominated by urgency and outrage, she hopes her work offers something quieter but more enduring — connection. When the cameras power down and the studio lights dim, Wiggins gathers her notes and prepares for the next story. Somewhere in Cleveland, another voice is waiting to be heard. And Danielle Wiggins, Emmy-winning journalist and devoted storyteller, will be ready to listen.and The Plain Dealer in partnership with WKYC Channel 3, News 5, Signal Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists.
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