The tides are changing!
Krissah Thompson was named managing editor for diversity and inclusion at The Washington Post, making her the first Black woman to hold the title in the company’s 143-year history, The Grio reports.
Thompson is a veteran at The Post, with more than two decades of service under her belt at the news publication. She holds a Bachelors of Journalism degree from University of Texas at Austin and a Masters of Journalism degree from University of Maryland College Park. Thompson has covered various topics from politics to culture with a special emphasis on civil rights and race, receiving multiple awards and accolades for her work.
Under this new role, the Emmy nominee will be tasked with “ensuring significant [and] consistent progress [in the publication’s] coverage of race, ethnicity and identity as well as improved recruitment, retention and career advancement for journalists of color.”
Marty Baron, Executive Editor at The Washington Post, spoke about Thompson’s new appointment, saying, “This is a historic moment in American history and in race relations. It requires us to re-examine our coverage and concentrate resources on the issues of race, ethnicity, and identity that clearly deserve heightened attention.”
As managing editor, Thompson will be responsible for spearheading newsroom efforts in recruiting, hiring, promotion, and mentorship. She took to social media to share the good news, saying, “I’m so excited I get to work!! A diverse staff makes our reporting better. We’re better when we have more perspectives and we can cover communities as deeply and widely as possible.”
Congratulations Krissah!
Photo Courtesy of LaTosha Francis/The Washington Post