In case you haven’t heard, HBCU graduates are taking over, from Vice President Kamala Harris to Stacey Abrams. And now Kimberly Godwin. The CBS News executive vice president has been named the first Black woman president of ABC News.
The upgrade also makes Godwin, who joined CBS News in 2007, the first Black executive to run a broadcast network news operation and one of the most powerful women in broadcast media. She will replace James Goldston, who left the network in March, after seven years in the role.
Under her new position, she will “oversee editorial and business operations for broadcast, digital, streaming and audio news across the organization which includes trusted and iconic franchises Good Morning America, World News Tonight, 20/20, Nightline, FiveThirtyEight, The View and This Week, according to a statement from ABC News.
Godwin starts her new position in early May.
Right Royal Woman for the job
With over 35 years in the field, Godwin is the perfect woman for the job. Previous boss roles have included vice president of News, CBS News executive director for Development and Diversity, and senior broadcast producer of the CBS Evening News. In November 2020, she was recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University with the Ida B. Wells Award. Both accolades honored Godwin for her work and dedication in advocating for coverage on communities of color, creating more diversity in the newsroom and mentoring young journalists throughout their careers.
Before her 14-year career at CBS, Godwin was an acting news director and assistant news director at WCBS-TV in New York City. She also served as vice president and news director at both KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, and KXAS-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth. Also, she served as vice president of News Operations, NBC Television Station, and news director at WOIO/WUAB in Cleveland.
“I have immense respect and admiration for ABC News,” said Godwin. “As the most trusted brand in news, they are to be commended for the extraordinary work and dedication of the journalists, producers, executives, and their teams across the organization. I am honored to take on this stewardship and excited for what we will achieve together.”
HBCU graduate
Godwin is a 1984 journalism graduate of Florida A&M University and is currently chairs the board of visitors. Her alma mater was the first historically Black university to have an accredited journalism program.
“The FAMU community is immensely proud of her accomplishment. Her hard work and excellence have carried her to the pinnacle of her profession as president of ABC News. This reinforces what we always tell our students: You can get anywhere from FAMU. ABC News will be in good hands,” said FAMU president, Dr. Larry Robinson.
Godwin is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., whose membership also includes Vice President Harris.
Congratulations to this amazing Royal Woman!
