Award-winning journalist Tammy C. Barney to write columns for Louisiana Illuminator

Tammy Carter Barney,  an award-winning columnist who spent most of her career writing for The Times-Picayune and The Orlando Sentinel, will be writing a column twice a month for the Louisiana Illuminator.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Loyola University New Orleans, she covered city government and education for The Daily Comet in Thibodaux and wrote a weekly column for the editorial page. She was eventually promoted to managing editor of the Comet, the first Black woman to hold that position. 

While working at The Times-Picayune as a bureau chief, assistant city editor, TV editor and columnist, she earned a MBA from Tulane University. At The Orlando Sentinel, she served as an editor and wrote a weekly column for the lifestyle section.

Tammy has won several writing awards, including the prestigious Vernon Jarrett Award for Journalistic Excellence in 2006  for a series of columns regarding the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

A native of Detroit, Tammy moved to New Orleans with her parents and two younger sisters when she was 13. It did not take her long to fall in love with the city. The people, the culture, the food, the music and the history are now in her blood. Except for her 10-year stint in Florida, she has not wanted to live anywhere else. 

In addition to writing, Tammy is passionate about quilting and singing with the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Praise Team and Contemporary Choir. She also serves as chair of the New Orleans Human Rights Commission.

For 17 years, Tammy was married to the late Keith G. Barney. She has one daughter and one granddaughter.