Bruce Johnson (journalist)

Bruce Johnson
Bruce Johnson
Born	Louisville, Kentucky
Occupation	Broadcast Journalist, Author, Public Speaker
Children	3

Bruce Johnson, also known as C. Bruce Johnson, is an American TV news anchorman and reporter for WUSA 9 (CBS) TV in Washington, D.C.^[1] Politics and Urban Affairs, Investigative and hard-hitting feature stories are his expertise.^[2] His personal story includes never knowing his natural father, studying to become a priest, and being the first in his family to graduate college. His mother later earned her degree at age 52.^[3]

Bruce Johnson is the author of two books, Heart to Heart, and All or Nothing, The Victor Page Story.

Johnson has been awarded 22 Emmys by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

In 2018 Bruce Johnson was honored by NATAS with its Board of Governors Award.^[4][5] He also won the Ted Yates Award in 1984,^[6] given only with the unanimous consent of the NATAS Board of Directors. In 2003, the Society of Professional Journalists inducted Bruce Johnson into the Hall of Fame.^[7] He is also a member of the Washington, D.C. Hall of Fame.

Johnson has been recognized by the D.C. City Council, D.C. Mayors, and hundreds of civic and community groups and charities for his service work.

Bruce Johnson is listed as a noted alumnus of Northern Kentucky University where he graduated in 1973 with a degree in Political Science. He later earned a master's degree in Public Affairs from the University of Cincinnati.^[8] In 2018, Johnson returned to NKU as Commencement speaker.^[9][10][11] He was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree.^[12][13]

Johnson is a member of the National Press Club (NPC), The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He is a national advocate for survivors of heart attacks and cancer.

Professional career[]

While still in undergrad school, Bruce Johnson began his career at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio.^[2] In 1976 he joined WUSA 9 TV, the CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C. For over 42 years, he has been an award-winning anchor and reporter for major news stories from the nation's capital.

He currently co-anchors the 6 p.m. weekly newscasts. Until 2019, he also anchored "Off Script with Bruce Johnson," a weeknight 7 p.m. broadcast.^[14][15] The show was replaced by "The Q&A with Bruce Johnson," a similar show designed to answer people's questions about the nation's capital laced with classic Johnson-style commentary.

Johnson distinguished himself early with notable news stories, including the 1982 Washington Metro train derailment that killed three people and injured twenty-five others.^[16] He covered the 1977 Hanafi Siege where twelve gunmen seized three Washington D.C. buildings, held 149 hostages and killed a colleague and radio journalist and a city hall police officer.^[17]

In 1988 Bruce Johnson traveled to Bangkok, Thailand for an Emmy-winning series, "Why Won't They Come Home," featuring American Vietnam War veterans who chose not to return to the US after the war.

The early 1990s saw him report and anchor for the acclaimed "Capitols of the World" documentaries. Johnson was dispatched to Moscow, Paris, Stockholm, Budapest, Tokyo, Dakar, and Bangkok.^[16] "Capitols of the World" aired during Sunday evenings prime time immediately after "60 Minutes" on CBS.

Johnson's assignments in 2010 included a trip to Port-Au-Prince to cover the deadly earthquake and aftermath in Haiti.^[18][19]

In March 2013, Johnson reported live from Rome on the election of Pope Francis. Years before he also covered the Vatican installation of Washington Archbishop Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. From Washington, D.C., Johnson covered the visits of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.^[20]

In 2017, using his own iPhone, Johnson traveled to Cuba to report on how American travel to the communist country had been altered after President Trump's rollback of travel changes under President Obama.

Johnson covered the rise, fall and rise again of D.C.'s best known and controversial local politician, the late D.C. Mayor and City Councilman Marion Barry, including Barry's arrest at the Vista Hotel for smoking crack cocaine, his prison sentence and return to an elected political office.^[21] Before his death, the "Mayor for Life," Marion Barry had instructed his family and staff that Bruce Johnson be the only journalist to speak at his public funeral which drew thousands. Johnson explained to the crowd, "I'm...thankful to Marion Barry. I owe him my career."^[22]

In 1992, Johnson suffered a heart attack while covering a news story in Washington, D.C.^[23] He had just interviewed drug dealers working next to a youth summer jobs program hosted by D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly.^[23][24] He felt a tightening in his chest and his cameraman drove him to a local firehouse.^[23][24] Firefighters transported Johnson to the hospital, where doctors discovered he had suffered a massive heart attack often referred to as a 'widow maker.' He was 42 years old.^[23] As part of his recovery, Bruce Johnson trained and completed the 26.2 mile Marine corp marathon in Washington Marine Corps Marathon.^[25]

Johnson also authored the book, Heart to Heart, featuring his story and the diverse comeback stories of 11 other male and female cardiac survivors.^[23][24] The book was also published by the People's Medical Publishing House in China.^[24] Johnson traveled to Beijing and Shanghai to promote the book.

Johnson authored a second book in 2012, All Or Nothing, The Victor Page Story, which documents the life of former NBA prospect Victor Page.^[26][27]

Awards and recognition[]

Johnson has been honored by many organizations as part of his journalist and volunteer work in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas.^[2][29][30] In 1983-1984, Johnson earned the Ted Yates Award^[31] given only with the unanimous consent from the Board of Governors^[32] of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding professional and personal qualities in their contribution to the National Capital Chesapeake Bay region's television news and public affairs.

In 2003 Johnson was voted into the Society of Professional Journalists' Hall of Fame. The D.C. City Council also recognized him as one of the nation's best urban affairs and investigative journalists. In 2007 Johnson won a local Emmy for his report that resulted in much needed repairs to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. He has captured multiple Emmys for his fearless reports on the city's violent crack epidemic in the 1980s and 90's and the plight of D.C.'s inner city youth.^[2][29] The Capitol Press club awarded Bruce its Communication Award of Excellence in 1990. He is an inductee to NATAS Silver Circle and member of the Washington D.C. Hall of Fame.^[33] Johnson received the Doctor's National Award from the Association of Black Cardiologists in 2011.^[30] in June 2018, he was honored with the Board of Governors Award^[4][5] from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

Advocacy[]

In 2018 Bruce Johnson became a life member of "Mended Hearts," the premier advocacy nonprofit organization for men, women, and children recovering from cardiac issues. Through public speaking, interviews and his website, Bruce Johnson Heart to Heart,^[34] he advocates for heart healthy lifestyles.^[35][25] His efforts have included a three-part television series that won national recognition from the American Heart Association^[35] and a documentary for the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) titled "Before You Eat the Church Food, Watch This Video."^[36][37][38]

Personal life[]

Johnson is married with three adult children and three grandsons. He enjoys road biking but is “appalled” at some other forms of recreational cycling,^[39] and he practices yoga.^[7][25]

Johnson was also formerly a Catholic seminarian, before deciding to pursue both acting as well as journalism.^[40]

External links[]

• Bruce Johnson Homepage
• WUSA 9 Official Website

References[]