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nd-1982-APRIL

By Alfred Edmond, Jr. | Published August 8, 2010 | Full size is 500 × 320 pixels

In April 1982, BLACK ENTERPRISE covered a media milestone: Bryant Gumbel being named co-host of NBC’s Today, the first black to anchor a network morning program. The 33-year-old former sportscaster and host of the network’s leading NFL program – one that reached 70 million television viewers – replaced Tom Brokaw out of a field of the toughest veteran competition at the time. When asked by our editors would his promotion provide another opening for blacks in media, he responded: “I think there has been less than a terrific effort on the parts of all the networks to find new people. You’re dealing with people who have been in the business a long time and [they] have been white males.”

In April 1982, BLACK ENTERPRISE covered a media milestone: Bryant Gumbel being named co-host of…