Rashida Jones (television executive)

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This article is about the television executive. For the actress, writer, and producer, see Rashida Jones.
Rashida Jones
Born
Rashida Adkins

1980/1981 (age 40–41)
Alma materHampton University, Henrico High School
OccupationTelevision executive
TitlePresident of MSNBC

Rashida Jones (née Adkins; born 1980/1981)[1] is the president of the cable news network MSNBC, succeeding Phil Griffin on February 1, 2021. Jones is the first Black woman to lead a cable news network.[2]

Early life and education[]

Jones was born to Richard and Alice Adkins, the oldest of three children. She grew up in York, Pennsylvania. The family later moved to Richmond, Virginia where she attended Henrico High School and became editor of the student newspaper.[3]

Jones attended Hampton University, majoring in broadcast journalism. She graduated from Hampton in 2002 with a degree in Mass Media Arts.[4]

Career[]

In 2002, while a senior in college, she worked as a morning show producer at WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia. After several years there, she moved to The Weather Channel as a weekend producer, and became director of live programming in 2009.[5]

Jones later worked at WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, as news director, then moved to New York City as an executive producer for daytime shows at MSNBC. Later roles included managing editor at MSNBC and senior vice president of specials for NBC News and MSNBC,[5] in which she managed dayside and weekend news programming on MSNBC, as well as leading coverage of breaking news and major events across NBC News and MSNBC.[6] Jones is known for expanding the town-hall concept to a wider audience, notably with the criminal justice special filmed at Sing Sing correctional facility.[7]

Jones is a member of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications Hall of Fame.[8]

In 2021, Jones became the first African American woman to run a major cable news network.[9]

Personal life[]

Jones is divorced and has two children, a son and daughter. Her partner of six years is Edward Fisher, the community and government relations exec at Washington, D.C.’s American University.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ Grynbaum, Michael M.; Koblin, John (2020-12-07). "MSNBC Names Rashida Jones as President, Succeeding Phil Griffin". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  2. ^ "Rashida Jones replaces Phil Griffin as MSNBC president". Las Vegas Sun. 2020-12-08. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  3. ^ a b Grove, Lloyd (June 7, 2021). "MSNBC's New President Rashida Jones: 'I Was Constantly Underestimated'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "MSNBC President and Hampton University Alumna Rashida Jones to be 150th Commencement Speaker". Diverse Issues in Higher Education. March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Lacy, Lisa (December 9, 2010). "Rashida Jones". Adweek. Vol. 60, no. 32. p. 40. ProQuest 2329680972.
  6. ^ Battaglio, Stephen (2020-12-07). "Rashida Jones will replace Phil Griffin as head of MSNBC". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  7. ^ Steinberg, Brian (2020-12-07). "Rashida Jones succeeded longtime MSNBC employee Phil Griffin as President at MSNBC". Variety. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  8. ^ "Scripps Hall of Famer Rashida Jones revitalizing MSNBC, SHSJC". Wall Street Journal. 2020-05-01.
  9. ^ Barr, Jeremy (2020-12-07). "Rashida Jones, replacing Phil Griffin at MSNBC, will be first Black woman to run a cable news network". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
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