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Tashara Parker

Tashara joined WFAA in the fall of 2019 as a morning traffic anchor and reporter.
Credit: WFAA

Tashara Parker is a traffic reporter and anchor featured on WFAA's Daybreak. She joined the Dallas, Texas station in 2019.

For over seven years, Tashara Parker has commanded the screen, covering the region’s most prominent news stories in a way that is effective, unique and undeniably her own. She is currently an anchor and reporter at WFAA News 8 in Dallas, Texas where she covers traffic, breaking news and inspirational stories throughout the week. Featured as one of WFAA's preeminent voices, the Daybreak anchor brings experience, vibrancy and authenticity -- capturing the attention of DFW viewers in an engaging and informative way, all the while creating loyalty.  

Historically recognized as the first black woman to anchor CBS affiliate KYTX’s primetime evening newscasts, the then Tyler, Texas anchor was commended for her coverage of the 2017 Van Zandt County and 2019 Alto tornadoes, in addition to two high-profile executions, of which she wrote and executive produced the majority of the content.

Distinguished by innovation and progression, Tashara’s work produces both social and civic impact -- spanning her stint as an evening anchor/reporter at College Station’s NBC affiliate KAGS News, to her behind-the-scenes efforts at Houston’s KTRK, to her work at KBTX, the CBS affiliate in Bryan, Texas, as well as Comcast Sportsnet Chicago, an ABC affiliate.

While a master’s degree candidate in Chicago, Tashara delivered firsthand reporting of the Chicago district closings of 54 elementary schools (the largest single wave of school closings in U.S. history), and then co-authored and produced an in-depth exploration of the ‘Decline of Inner-City High School Athletic Championships’ in Chicago thereafter.

Currently, the award-winning anchor is coined as a "community-focused storyteller”, a title received for her valiant efforts in highlighting organizations and people who have historically been underrepresented and misrepresented in mainstream media. As a visionary and one of Dallas' most influential voices, she utilizes her platform to volunteer hundreds of hours to many organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and to her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. 

In October 2020, Tashara sparked a global conversation following backlash for a natural bun hairstyle she wore on-air. Praised by viewers, her response achieved virality (even prompting the attention of the Today Show online), igniting a national discussion surrounding natural hair discrimination, and evolving organically with the launch of her “Bun Ministry” movement -- a rapidly budding space to celebrate, educate and empower individuals on the journey and love for all things natural hair. 

In the spirit of innovation, her acclaimed original series “Rooted” for the ABC network affiliate WFAA, was met with rave reviews for tackling the taboo subject of Black hair and professionalism within the workplace, with many of DFW’s prominent leaders as the central focus of the interview. 

A noted influencer and respected thought leader, Tashara has garnered over 162,000 followers across her multiple social media platforms, recently earning her the honor as the “Best Broadcast Journalist” by the Dallas Weekly. With a dedicated following both on and off the air, the journalist is described by viewers as "someone who truly cares about people and this community.” With this powerful mantra lighting her path, Tashara continues to carve her slate within the industry -- poignantly bringing both DFW and the best in community storytelling to the forefront and beyond.  

Tashara holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Texas A&M University, as well as a master’s degree in journalism from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

Follow Tashara on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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