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Receiving the Ten Outstanding Young Americans award in 1993 with the other recipients.

Holding the TOYA statue after the awards ceremony

About the TOYA

In 1993, Regina L. Burns was honored with the prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Americans award, given by the U.S. Junior Chamber (Jaycees).

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Bio of
Regina L. Burns

Regina L. Burns, M.A., Project+, is an award-winning multimedia editor and journalist specializing in Black History and African American stories at Harvest Reapers Communications. Her work has been published in Texas Highways magazine, WFAA-TV, The Dallas Morning News, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as well as The Commercial Appeal, the Tri-State Defender, The Flyer, and Black Enterprise magazine, among others.

She previously worked for a variety of news media organizations as a journalist, including The Associated Press in Mississippi and Texas. She was news director at WLOK-AM and WGKX-KIX 106 FM in Memphis. Burns scooped all media with the breaking news that Dr. W. W. Hereonton would campaign to become mayor of Memphis. She credits Memphis entrepreneur Ron Redwing for the tip, which she received during her morning drive newscast at WGKX- KIX 106 FM. Her breaking news story appeared on The Associated Press wire across the state of Tennessee and originated in Nashville, Tennessee. Hereonton won the 1991 election and became Memphis' first African American mayor.

In 1993, Abilene Christian University presented Burns with its Distinguished Alumnus Professional Achievement Award, known as the Gutenberg Award. ACU Professor Emeritus, the late Dr. Charlie Marler, said Burns was the first woman and the first African American to receive the Gutenberg in 1993. In addition to the B.A. in Mass Communication she earned at ACU, Burns graduated from The University of Memphis with the M.A. in Journalism Administration.. She is a doctoral student in history at the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas.

Burns' work has been recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists and the former Tennessee Associated Press Broadcasters Association, among other media organizations.
Updated April 10, 2023

About the TOYA

Bio of​Regina L. Burns

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Bio of
Regina L. Burns