Antoinette Essa: A Life of Warmth, Storytelling, and Service

 

Early Life and Education

Antoinette Essa is a beloved voice and face in Richmond, known for her warmth, graceful storytelling, and genuine connection to the community. Originally from Monrovia, Liberia, Antoinette attended St. Teresa’s Convent and graduated in 1976, already showing signs of the poise and purpose that would define her life’s work.

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After completing a semester at the University of Liberia and working in broadcasting at ELBC/ELTV, Antoinette’s parents were presented with an opportunity that would change everything. In 1977, she left the familiarity of home and crossed the ocean to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist, enrolling at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. It was a bold move, high risk, high reward, and she never looked back.

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Building a Life in the United States

She later made Staten Island home, staying close to family while raising her daughter and building a life grounded in love, resilience, and ambition.

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Career in Broadcasting

Antoinette’s professional breakthrough came in 1989 when she moved to Richmond and joined W-A-N-T, the city’s groundbreaking Black radio station. Her voice quickly became a trusted companion across the airwaves, especially as host of The Quiet Storm on Radio One Richmond’s 99.3 & 105.7 KISS FM, a show that built a fiercely loyal following and a lasting legacy.

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In 1995, Antoinette transitioned seamlessly into television, joining WWBT/NBC12 as the “12 About Town” reporter. For more than a decade, she brought Richmond’s stories to life and later took her place at the anchor desk for the noon newscast. After a brief pause, she returned to television in 2009 at WTVR/CBS 6 as the A-List reporter. Whether covering community events, entertainment, or uplifting human-interest stories, Antoinette was a trusted and joyful presence, someone viewers felt they already knew.

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Service and Education

Beyond the spotlight, service has always been important to her. Volunteerism is not a side note in Antoinette’s life, it is her core strategy. She consistently shows up for Richmond, investing time, heart, and energy where it matters most.

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Her commitment to faith and care led her to earn a Master of Divinity in 2019 from Virginia Union University Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. She further deepened her calling through VCU College of Health Professions, specializing in Patient Counseling and Chaplaincy.

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Family and Personal Life

Family remains her anchor. Antoinette is closely connected to her mother and sister in Staten Island and her brother in Austin, Texas. Her daughter, grandson, and granddaughter live in Atlanta, and time with them is her greatest treasure. Though she has lost her father and younger sister, their presence continues to guide her with quiet strength.

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Recent Work

After more than 30 years in radio and television, including 16 years at CBS 6, Antoinette has placed the microphone gently on the table to answer a new call. She now serves as a Resident Chaplain at Bon Secours Mercy Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, offering presence, compassion, and spiritual care when it matters most.

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Whether on air or at the bedside, Antoinette Essa brings heart, purpose, and authenticity to every space she enters.

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You can keep up with her journey on social media Facebook and Instagram where the conversation, as always, continues.