African American HBCU grad makes history as new president of MSNBC

Now more than ever, being a graduate of a Historically Black College and University is the epitome of black excellence, and the newest alum to join the ranks is television executive Rashida Jones.

Jones, a Hampton University graduate, majored in broadcast journalism and got her start working as a morning show producer at WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia. She has now worked her way up to becoming the first African American president of MSNBC in 2021.

The Wall Street Journal was first to announce that Jones will replace current President Phil Griffin in February, making her the first African American and woman of color to spearhead a major cable news network.

“Rashida knows and understands MSNBC, in part because it’s where she started when she first joined NBCU seven years ago,” said NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde. “She knows that it is the people who work here that make it great, and she understands its culture. She also appreciates the impact and potential of the brand.”

The promotion comes as NBC announced that they would strive for their staff to be made up of 50 percent women and 50 percent people of color.

Currently, the network is comprised of nearly 27% minority, with an equal percentage of 8% each for Black, Latino and Asian workers.

Jones definitely has a lot of pressure on her shoulders, but she is not alone.

More women are shattering glass ceilings and stepping into leadership roles. The fact that a lot of these women are HBCU graduates and women of color just makes the victory sweeter.