The NBC 12 News anchor will receive a Doing the Most Good Award for her contributions in the Richmond, Virginia, community.
For the past two years, Jasmine Turner ’15 has emceed the Salvation Army Central Virginia’s Leaders Doing the Most Good Awards Luncheon – an annual celebration of excellence across the Greater Metro Richmond Area. But this year, the Elon alumna was surprised to find herself being recognized.
The Salvation Army Central Virginia recently announced the recipients of its 2025 Leaders Doing the Most Good Awards, recognizing Turner and two organizations for their commitment to improving and uplifting the community. Turner will be formally honored with the organization’s Shield Award for Excellence at a May 1 ceremony.
“I always leave that particular event feeling uplifted and grateful for the people in our community, and so I was just really shocked,” Turner said.
An Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter, Turner serves as an evening news anchor at NBC 12 News in her hometown of Richmond. She’s also a member of the station’s investigative unit, 12 On Your Side, which focuses on solving local problems and, as Turner puts it, being “of service to the community.”
It’s that sense of service, she said, that keeps her motivated as a journalist.
“I get to help people and it’s a job that not a lot of folks have – one that I definitely don’t take for granted,” Turner said. “I’ve always found it important that people don’t just see the TV me, but they get an opportunity to interact with me as just their neighbor, their friend.”
A 2015 graduate who studied broadcast journalism, Turner praised Elon’s commitment to preparing students for the real world. She credits retired journalism professor Rich Landesberg for mentoring her and believing in her early on.
“There’s so much opportunity for real-world experience before you even get close to graduation, and it makes a difference in your success post-grad,” Turner said.
While Turner won’t be able to attend the May 1 luncheon in person – she’s expecting to give birth to her daughter, Summer, in the coming days – she recorded her acceptance speech ahead of the event.
While grateful for the recognition, Turner said accolades are never her motivation. What she values most is connecting with others and sharing their stories.
“I value a good conversation,” she said. “I value learning something new about someone else or meeting a new person.”