About me
Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, Ph.D, MBA is a Happiness Scholar and TEDx speaker who currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Communication, Art, and Design at Gardner-Webb University. Her expertise in positive psychology has led her to train news leaders and journalists at institutions such as the Radio Television Digital News Association, Report for America, and the American Press Institute, with a focus on enhancing resilience and positive culture in newsrooms. Dr. Lemon is certified in Mental Health First Aid and is known for her advocacy of workplace well-being through her "Kourting Happiness" podcast. In addition, she is an advisory board member for the Carter Center's Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism, where she guides global journalists in behavioral reporting. As a founding Co-Chair of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Wellness Task Force, she is dedicated to promoting members' physical and mental health. Dr. Lemon is deeply involved in NABJ, where her husband, Ken Lemon, serves as the 23rd National President. She holds a Ph.D. from the College of Journalism and Communication at University of Florida and an MBA from Morgan State University.