Alicia Smith

From reporting live at the site of the World Trade Center for the 9/11 Anniversary in 2002 to helping cover Hurricane Jeanne as it roared onto Florida’s coast, Alicia has appreciated every opportunity to tell compelling stories throughout her career.

Alicia joined WXYZ in January 2007 as co-anchor of Action News This Morning. In June of 2010, she was awarded an Emmy for Best On-Air Talent from the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

She has also earned Emmy Awards for her reporting. In March 2007, Alicia hit the streets of Wayne County at night to reveal a prostitution rehabilitation program that’s turning around lives… one woman at a time. The eye-opening special report earned her an Emmy Award for covering societal concerns.

During her time as anchor/reporter at WWMT in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, Alicia produced a special series featuring two missing Michigan children’s cold cases. Her work won her another Emmy Award for reporting. In addition, a series of reports entitled "Facing Racism: A Daily Battle" received a Michigan Association of Broadcasters Award for Community Involvement.

Alicia is passionate about her work and is equally passionate about the community organizations she works with. Being a volunteering construction worker on some Habitat for Humanity homes in Detroit has been one of the highlights. In 2010, she was humbled to be named Habitat for Humanity Detroit's Ambassador of the Year. She admits she is far from the most skilled worker on any Habitat site, but she is pleased to have the opportunity to spread the news about how Habitat is rebuilding lives through new, affordable housing for families in need.

Another important cause for Alicia is fighting breast cancer. She runs in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure every year.

“Some of my dearest friends have battled breast cancer. So this race has special meaning for me as it does for so many people," said Alicia.

Alicia also volunteers during the school year as a tutor. She helps at-risk elementary school children improve their math and reading skills through the "Bound Together" program in Pontiac.

The animal lover is also a big cheerleader for the Michigan Humane Society. Alicia has helped lead Channel 7’s team in the Michigan Humane Society’s Mega March for Animals for the last four years. Co-hosting the annual telethon benefitting MHS has also been a thrill for Alicia over the last three years. She was also honored to help with MHS's Bow Wow Brunch fundraiser in 2008 and 2009.

Alicia also co-hosted WXYZ’s Education Town Hall Meeting in April 2007. The televised event included dignitaries, community leaders, educators, parents and students from around the state.

Since arriving at WXYZ, Alicia has enjoyed interviewing a few stars including Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, Leonardo DiCaprio, Drew Barrymore, Jerry Seinfeld, Angela Bassett, Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards and others.

Alicia is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism. She majored in Broadcast News and minored in Political Science. Before graduating Alicia was honored by the Young Alumni Council for the University of Georgia Alumni Society as the Senior Female of the Year.

Alicia spends her spare time checking off a long list of “Must-see” sites and “Must Do” adventures in Metro Detroit. She also enjoys ballroom dancing, running in local 5K races, walking, biking, movie-watching, and reading just about anything while sipping a nice, hot cup of Joe.

If you have any stories or questions for Alicia, email her at asmith@wxyz.com .

Follow Alicia on Twitter @wxyzalicia and become her fan on Facebook .