Indy Style :: Amber Hankins in the Momlight
Indy Style anchor, Amber Hankins is a Master Class in balancing her personal and professional life, finding a way to celebrate her growth into becoming a mother in her profession while remaining true to her journalistic background.
Amber began her career as a live news reporter and spent over 8 years both in front of and behind the television camera. But when she began her family in 2013, she made the decision to take time off to focus on motherhood and her infant daughter. During that sabbatical, she reflected on her work and while she wanted to return to television, motherhood had changed her. She felt compelled to find a role with a positive focus, allowing her to have fun and show her personality. “When you have a child, your entire world changes, and I didn’t want to bring the negative news stories I was used to covering home,” Amber explained. “So, when the opportunity to join Indy Style came along, I knew it was the perfect fit!”
Indy Style is a one-hour daily live, lifestyle show airing on WISH-TV. It focuses on our Circle City and surrounding communities.
Amber and her co-hosts talk to guests about everything from fashion to fitness, cooking to current trends. “Whether it’s an upcoming performance, sale, shopping event, community gathering, etc., we keep people ‘in the know’ about what’s going on and how they can be a part of it,” Amber said.
Amber enjoys having her finger on the pulse of Indy, but she is really passionate about the stories that allow her to connect to her experiences as a mother. “When you become a parent, it feels like nearly every story affects you. You put yourself in that person’s shoes and ask yourself, ‘How would I feel if that were my child?’ In the news business, that’s tough,” she said. Amber feels lucky that Indy Style allows her to focus on the lighter side of motherhood. She loves sharing stories that us to get a better sense of parenthood. “I find myself gravitating toward stories that allow me to reach out and help another mother. After all, we can all learn from each other’s successes and mistakes.”
As she approaches her 5-year anniversary on Indy Style, Amber has really hit her stride on the show.
As the newest anchor, she found it difficult to share her personality out of fear of how viewers might perceive her. Eventually, she found the confidence to celebrate her authentic self. “Being confident in who you are as a person, especially on-screen, isn’t easy. But it’s also a take it or leave it notion. If you don’t like me, you’re welcome to change the channel, but in the meantime, I’m going to keep being me and showing up for those who do.”
It is that great sense of self-confidence that has helped Amber to navigate the world of television journalism in an era of social media, where viewers feel the need to share their every opinion about the show, a segment, and even the appearance of the anchors. As a hero to mothers everywhere, Amber spoke out when viewers criticized her pregnant body, saying she should stop standing to the side, because her belly sticks out 'too much’ or told her she was ‘too big.’ “I believe people need to be held accountable for their actions and their words. Often, viewers don’t know that I see every comment that is sent to us. I just want to remind people to be kind,” she explained. “You never know the battle that others are fighting, and words do more damage that you might think. It’s easy to hide behind a computer and type away, but you’re talking to a person- a mother, a wife, a friend- you’re talking to me. People forget that.”
WE LOVE FEATURING WOMEN IN THE MOMLIGHT:Have you met Sierra Holmes of Eclectic Kurves blog? You should.
Looking to the future, Amber and her husband are happy raising their two children in Indianapolis and she is excited to be a part of the growth of Indy Style. In her spare time, she is working on a children’s book inspired by her own daughter and her journey to love her appearance.
Catch Amber on Indy Style weekdays on WISH-TV from 10-11am or find her on Instagram at @hankins_amber for her own style tips, favorite bargain shopping finds, family adventures, and hopefully an announcement about her book soon!
