EDNA RUTLAND

     Edna Rutland is a May 2023 graduate of Florida A&M University. Originally from Macon, Georgia, Edna has always had a love of words and a passion for storytelling. Starting her professional journey in 2017, Edna presented her paper, Fear. at Harvard University's AOCC conference. Continuing to share her story, she also appeared in NPR's Macon Conversations, where she discussed her experiences growing up in the South. In 2018, Edna became executive producer for Bibb County School District's W-VIPTV, where she created dynamic and relevant packages, including coverage of the Parkland shootings.

     In 2019, Edna was awarded the Diversity in Journalism Award from the National Press Club. While in college, Edna was a staff writer for the award-winning FAMUAN newspaper, was a desk, entertainment and weather anchor on FAMU's News 20 at Five. In 2021, she also helped launch the first ever Apple Campus Leaders program on FAMU's campus. Edna premiered her first documentary, Digital Kindergarten (2022) focusing on parasocial relationships, the relationship between famous/known personalities and their audiences.

     Edna was an inaugural Disney Storytellers Scholar (2023) and production intern at ABC's The View. Currently, Edna is a Production Associate for ABC NEWS LIVE.