Karen Graham

About

Karen Graham is a 20-year broadcast journalist and co-founder and CEO of Sign1News.Graham, an Atlanta native, started her television career in 1990 as an administrative assistant in the sales department at FOX-affiliate WTVT-TV in Tampa, Florida. In 1994, she was approached by the news director to offer her a position as a general assignment reporter. Two years later, Graham was promoted to sports reporter and fill-in weekend anchor.In 1997, Graham accepted the position as weekend sports anchor at ABC-affiliate WSOC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina. Three years later Graham moved back to Atlanta to work for FOX-affiliate WAGA-TV as the weekend sports anchor. Graham also co-hosted a weekly 1-hour NASCAR radio talk show with WYAY FM 106.7 radio personality Dallas McCade.Graham also worked double-duty as a fill-in feature reporter for WAGA’s morning show “Good Day Atlanta.” She eventually moved into the position of full-time co-anchor. In 2007 she was promoted to solo anchor of the 9am hour of “Good Day Atlanta.” The show’s infotainment format allowed Graham to cover captivating and hard-hitting political, business and international news as well as interviewing some of the biggest names in the entertainment world.In her sixteen years at WAGA, Graham won three Southeast Regional Television Emmy awards (2003, 2006, 2007) in recognition of her outstanding achievement in television and news excellence.Graham is fluent in sign language. She is a staunch advocate for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing rights. In 2005, She has served as keynote and motivational speaker at Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, Georgia School for the Deaf and Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency's respective graduations. She has also volunteered to assist Deaf citizens apply for employment, college admission and completion of high school graduation requirements. Graham accepted the Georgia Association for the Deaf’s Station of the Year Award for the Best Closed Captioning and commitment to the hard-of-hearing community on behalf of WAGA. She featured several news stories that highlighted social issues and personal achievements in the Deaf community. She served as leader of Ray of Hope Christian Church’s Deaf ministry. Graham is studying for her national interpreter’s certification.Graham is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Communication. She also earned an M.A. in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida.Graham enjoys dancing, hiking, photography, tennis and doing New York Times crossword puzzles.