Atyia Collins joined the First Coast News team in August 2021 as a reporter/multi-skilled journalist.
She traded snow for beaches when she moved to Jacksonville from Rochester, New York. There, she was part of a team that won an Edward R. Murrow Award for breaking news coverage on Rochester protests held in relation to a police-involved death of a Rochester man. She also covered numerous black lives matter protests, breaking news events and worked with community organizations to tell uplifting stories.
Before Rochester, Atyia began her journalism career in Clarksburg, West Virginia. There she reported on the 2018 West Virginia teachers' strike, one of the longest educational strikes in the state’s history. She loves engaging with the community and telling stories focused around organizations helping people in need. She hopes to bring that passion here to the first coast.
Atyia is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Film/Video with a concentration in documentaries. Outside of work, Atyia can be found at the beach where she is learning to surf or out exploring the nature parks in Northeast Florida.
Atyia is always looking to connect with the community.
You can send story ideas and tips to her at acollins@firstcoastnews.com
