Sharahn Thomas-Fulton was promoted to VP of content operations for NPR. Thomas-Fulton, who previously worked as senior director of news operations, joined the organization in 1999 as an assistant producer. She has also been an operations manager for WNJT in Trenton, N.J.
“This is a proud moment. To be honest, I really never thought that I would be a vice president at NPR because I didn’t see the path for my work here leading to it, especially not in the newsroom. I figured when I was ready to move into even higher levels of leadership I would look elsewhere. It’s what people do,” said Thomas-Fulton in a news release. “I’m happy to have the opportunity to take content operations to the next level, particularly at this pivotal time at NPR. Despite all of the trauma and stress that 2020 has brought, I think new and exciting things are on the horizon for NPR as we explore new ways to inform and entertain the broadest audience possible. Hopefully, my journey can serve as a bit of inspiration for others when the road ahead seems unclear.”
Thomas-Fulton has helped with planning and logistics for every live news event covered by NPR since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said Nancy Barnes, NPR’s SVP of news and editorial director. “She is always prepared and calm, and she is able to instill that in other people who may be crashing in the newsroom for any number of reasons, from technical difficulties to setting up bureaus in emergency situations wherever our coverage takes us,” Barnes said. “In her time at NPR, she has expanded her expertise to all aspects of content, including programming and digital.”
Houston Public Media announced two promotions.
Eddie Robinson was promoted to EP. In his new role, he will launch and host a podcast and radio program focused on racial equality and social justice. Robinson joined the station in 2014 as a morning news anchor and co-hosted Houston in Black and White, a special program. Before joining the station, he worked as a host for WNYC in New York City, at SiriusXM and as a manager of music programming for MTV.
Anessa Rios-Ezeude became director of membership and donor services. She has had several roles since joining the station in 2015, including development coordinator, community fundraising analyst and manager for studio society and community fundraising.
“Eddie and Anessa are innovative and respected leaders in the public media system,” said GM Lisa Shumate in a news release. “They have played key roles in Houston Public Media’s success over the last few years and share a commitment to community relationship building, collaboration, and mentorship that will continue to drive our station forward in the years to come.”
Nashville Public Radio announced two hires for its new music station.
Jewly Hight was hired as a music director. Hight previously worked as a reporter for Nashville Public Radio and as a music journalist for the Nashville Scene. She has also contributed to NPR Music, Morning Edition, All Things Considered and publications including the New York Times, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.
Marquis Munson was hired as a production coordinator. He previously worked as an EP for ESPN 102.5 The Game in Nashville. He has also been a program director and producer for Tide, a radio station for Alabama sports, and hosted a hip-hop and R&B program for WTUG in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Hight and Munson will work for WNXP, a new music station launching this fall. Jason Moon Wilkins, who was hired as PD last month, will lead the station. “Jewly’s work and her passion for Nashville exemplify WNXP’s mission of bringing context to the music and connecting with the community,” Wilkins said in a news release. “And Marquis may be the most open-minded music fan I’ve ever met and WNXP listeners will love his welcoming on-air style.”
Management
Vinnee Tong was named director of news for KQED in San Francisco. Tong, who joined the station in 2016, previously worked as a managing editor. She was also founding editor for The Bay, a KQED news podcast, and was a lead producer for the podcast Bay Curious, which answers listeners’ questions about the region.
Content
Gracyn Doctor and Maria Ramirez Uribe joined WFAE in Charlotte, N.C., to work on a one-year reporting project that will cover the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctor previously worked as an intern for WAER in Syracuse, N.Y. Ramirez Uribe previously worked as a freelance researcher for CNN’s international news desk. Stories produced for the project will be published in outlets that partner with the station, including La Noticia, a Spanish language newspaper; the Charlotte Ledger, a business-focused newsletter; and Qcitymetro, an online news source focused on the Black community. The project is funded by the Facebook Journalism Project, the Lenfest Institute, the Local Media Association, the Google News Initiative Journalism Emergency Relief Fund and the North Carolina Local News Lab Fund.
Fellowships
NPR announced this year’s Kroc fellows, who “will spend the next year receiving hands-on training in audio and digital journalism, including writing, reporting, producing and editing,” according to a news release. The fellows, who will change teams throughout the year, are Rosemary Misdary, Eva Tesfaye and Emma Peaslee. Misdary, who previously worked as a civil engineer, has been an intern for WNYC in New York and the New York Daily News and was on the city desk for the New York Post. Tesfaye previously worked as a producer, programmer and news head for WKCR, Columbia University’s station. Peaslee has been an intern for WABE in Atlanta, the National Journal and TPT in St. Paul, Minn.
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Congratulations to you, Sharahn!
NPR couldn’t have picked a better person for the job. I wish you all the success in the world.