Content creator McKenzie Rankin joins Axios Charlotte
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Mckenzie headshot
We’re very excited to welcome McKenzie Rankin to the Axios Charlotte team. She started Monday as our new lifestyle reporter.
Why it matters: McKenzie will spearhead coverage of things to do in Charlotte — where to eat and drink, what to do after work and over the weekend, and what people are talking about.
Background: She’s originally from Gastonia and recently moved back to Charlotte in 2020 after spending time in New York City as an NBC Page. Before that, she studied communications at UNC Wilmington.
- Ultimately, she decided Charlotte’s cooler than New York — her words, not mine.
- With experience working for Cosmo, Humor and Puberty, McKenzie is officially our resident cool girl. It’s why she’s the perfect person to compile and update our various guides to everything from best bars in Charlotte to best ice-skating rinks during the holidays.
What’s more: You might’ve already seen some of McKenzie’s work on TikTok and Snapchat. Notably, she created one of TikTok’s viral lenses— “Toxic Trait,” which has been used by more than 600K people, including celebrities like Hank Green and Camila Mendez.
What she’s saying: “I want others (from life-long residents to transplants) to know how good we’ve got it here. Great food, even better people, and an unparalleled sense of community are all waiting outside your door. It’s been so exciting to watch Charlotte grow, even just in the last year. From the big-name storefronts and restaurants to the hidden gems and small businesses that deserve a bigger spotlight, I’m so honored and excited to get to tell those stories. (Now, we just need a Zara. Joking. Kind of).”
Zoom out: McKenzie will tag-team local coverage with our lifestyle and real estate reporter Alexis Clinton. Together, they’ll write about important trends shaping how we live, such as real estate, new businesses and events.
My thought bubble: McKenzie has, arguably, the coolest job in Charlotte; maybe even the world? I’m excited to see our city through her lens.