Rashida Jones
The First Black American to Lead a Cable News Network
On February 1, 2021, the first day of Black History Month, Rashida Jones, an MSNBC veteran, made history by stepping into the role of president of the cable news network. She is the first black person to hold that office. Rashida replaces Phil Griffin, who was president of MSNBC for twelve years and served in other capacities since MSNBC’s inception in 1996. Being named network president at 40 years old is also a milestone for the black millennial, who amassed nearly two decades of experience working in the arenas of cable and local news.
In her role as executive producer, Rashida spearheaded news programs that delivered breaking news and covered major events for two networks, MSNBC and NBC News. She managed creative teams in producing content during election nights, political conventions, and Presidential Debates. She also determined the editorial focus of each show and directed the network-wide coverage related to COVID-19. In her previous role, she oversaw daytime and weekend programming as senior vice president of both NBC News and MSNBC. She is credited with overseeing the 2019 launch of the streaming network NBC News NOW, which allows the media giant to stay on the cutting edge. As president of MSNBC, her focus continues to be on the cable news network.
Rashida Jones was born on January 11, 1981, but she keeps her personal life private, so there is currently no available information about her childhood or marital status. She attended Henrico High School in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, and on the school’s Facebook page, Rashida, when asked if she had a word for the folks back home, said:
“I often think back to walking the campus of Henrico High School where my teachers pushed me toward academic excellence and emboldened my passion to lead through my work. I have Henrico County Public Schools to thank for inspiring me to achieve goals beyond my dreams.”
Rashida then attended Hampton University, from which she graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s in Mass Media Arts and Broadcast. While in college, she started her career in television news as a producer for the Norfolk, Virginia station WTKR-TV. While at the local station, she produced the 11 pm newscast and coordinated live coverage and weather reports. She transitioned to the Weather Channel in 2004 and remained there for a little over seven years. Rashida started as a producer at the Weather Channel, tasked with weekend primetime programming, and she moved through the ranks from senior producer to executive producer to director of live programming. NBC purchased the Weather Channel while she was in this senior role.
Greater responsibilities came after she moved to Columbia, South Carolina to work for the NBC-affiliate station WIS-TV. As news director, Rashida overhauled the news team, rebuilding and rebranding it to achieve more in-depth investigative reporting. Under her leadership, WIS-TV was the number one station in Columbia, South Carolina. Her time at MSNBC and NBC News began in August of 2013, and her journey from executive producer to president of the entire network was underway.
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This article appears in 21st Century Black Changemakers.
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Ralph Bunche was an activist and international civil servant with a storied career. He has the distinction of being the first black recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.