Who is happiness scholar Dr. Kortni Alston...

Dr. Kortni Alston is a Happiness Scholar, TEDx speaker, and Transformational Trainer.  Her area of research is interdisciplinary combining the areas of positive psychology, business administration and media management.  Her research concentrations value happier workplaces, well-being, and meaningful work. 

She is a Podcast Host for Kourting Happiness, which helps listeners learn how to commit to well-being one episode at a time.  Dr. Kortni is the founder of Kourting Happiness Movement, which is an online community helping members live a positive life with positive psychology. Currently, she is working on two books focused on positive psychology and workplace well-being.  

Dr. Kortni is an in-demand and sought-after trainer. She has created customized training sessions focused on Workplace Well-Being, Resilience, and Happiness. The Carter Center invited her to serve as a trainer for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism. In a recent announcement, Dr. Kortni was appointed to serve on the United States Advisory Board for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism. You can find out more in this press release.

Report for America invited Dr. Kortni to serve as a facilitator for their Self-Care Session helping journalists build resilience. As Distinguished Lecturer at Middle Tennessee State University for School of Journalism and Strategic Media, she was invited to train faculty and students. In a university-wide session for faculty, staff, and administrators, Dr. Kortni shared how to leverage positive psychology in workplace well-being for in-person and remote work. Learn more about Dr. Kortni’s latest speaking engagements right here.

Dr. Kortni was the Director of News and Public Affairs for WEAA-FM, the leading public radio station for National Public Radio (NPR) news and information in the Baltimore market. She is a recipient of several fellowships by the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation including: Executive Development for Radio Executives at Georgetown University, Connections Mentoring Initiatives, and the Albert Fitzpatrick Media Institute at Cox Headquarters in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Kortni has launched several national news programs such as “The Takeaway” at the time hosted by John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji. The national public radio show is produced by Public Radio International (PRI), BBC, The New York Times, WGBH and WYNC. Additionally, she has served on the advisory committee for "Tell Me More" hosted by Michel Martin and produced by NPR.

Dr. Kortni began her journalism career as a Radio Personality and Entertainment Reporter at WAFL-FM in Delaware. Her commercial television experience began in Midland, Texas, as a General Assignment Reporter for NBC affiliate, KWES-TV. She later became a Reporter in the top markets in the country including New York City, Philadelphia and Houston. Many of her stories gained national news coverage including the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Dr. Kortni has made several appearances on CNN, covering the astronauts’ funerals, Hurricane Claudette and other news events.

Dr. Kortni has a Ph.D. from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communication. She received her Masters of Business Administration at Morgan State University and B.A in Mass Communications from Delaware State University. Dr. Kortni has been inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business honor society, that recognizes the top business students and scholars around the world.

Dr. Kortni is a proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), Broadcast Education Association (BEA), and the National Black MBA Association.