BLACK EXCELLENCE: HENRICO HIGH ALUMNA RASHIDA JONES IS NOW PRESIDENT OF MSNBC

On February 1, Henrico High School alumna Rashida Jones became the first Black woman to take charge of a major television news network.

Ms. Jones took over as president of MSNBC, replacing Phil Griffin who served as president for 12 years.

Ms. Jones, 39, was promoted from her role as Senior Vice President for news at MSNBC and NBC News where she supervised daytime news coverage, breaking news, and specials for NBC’s broadcast news division.

Ms. Jones graduated from Henrico High School in 1998 (Rashida Adkins). “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,” is a quote attributed to Ms. Jones from the Henrico High Class of ’91 Facebook page. Ms. Jones is also a 2002 Hampton University Mass Media Arts graduate.

According to the NY Times: Ms. Jones, who once served as director of live programming for the Weather Channel, joined NBCUniversal seven years ago. MSNBC staff members took notice of what has been a steady ascent: Beginning last year, she was the executive producer for a pair of primary debates that set ratings records for a Democratic presidential contest.

This past April, she was handed oversight of MSNBC’s daytime news coverage, and within three months, she had added weekend news programming to her portfolio. By the fall, Ms. Jones produced two town-hall events with the 2020 presidential candidates and helped supervise preparation for Kristen Welker, the NBC correspondent who moderated the second presidential debate to glowing reviews.

Ms. Jones now controls a cable news network that reached ratings highs as a voice of opposition (and dare I say reason) during the Trump administration. She will be in charge of keeping popular personalities like Rachel Maddow and Joy Reid near the top of the cable news ratings.

The Cheats Movement is elated for Ms. Jones. Henrico stand up. #WESEEIT

cover photo: Virginia Sherwood/NBC