Louis Fernandez Jr.

Executive producer, WRAL Sports+

Professional Experience:

WBIR-TV | (2016-2021)

Awards & Recognition:

Emmy nominated, Two-time AP Sportscaster of the Year (Tennessee)

News Philosophy:

Authenticity is one of the most important aspects of our jobs, from start to finish. When you’re true to yourself and the community you cover, the work you do makes the most difference and impacts the most amount of people.

Education:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA Media and Journalism

Birthplace:

Bellflower, California

Hobbies, Interests, Community Involvement:

Sports (obviously) of just about all kinds. College athletics, the NFL and the NBA are my the ones I spend the most time with though. I love to read on just about any subject and listen to people discuss their passions, especially in the form of video essays and podcasts. I really enjoy watching anime as well, from the classic series like Cowboy Bebop and One Piece to beautiful movies like Your Name and anything Studio Ghibli. As for community involvement, I always love supporting local. Mentoring kids is also incredibly important. None of us reach our goals and potential without a community of caring individuals leading the way.

Family:

There were four of us growing up – my mom, dad and younger sister. We started in California and made our way over to North Carolina when I was young. I’ve spent the majority of my life in North Carolina and went to school at UNC.

Likes Best About North Carolina:

This one is really hard! The food is top notch (I tend to think with my stomach) and being able to see the ocean and the mountains without leaving the state is definitely a plus, but the college basketball rivalries are top notch. Being in the thick of so many great fans and so many great teams is a unique experience and is without a doubt my favorite part of North Carolina.

Most Memorable Assignments:

I’m going to go a little somber on this note. Sharing stories is my favorite part about this profession and I’ve been very fortunate to tell the stories of a few people who just lost a loved one or had a terminal illness. These stories always stand out to me because of the immense weight and pressure you feel. The trust someone gives you to share their story or to share the story of their family is overwhelming and something I will never take for granted.