The Washington Post Appoints Its First Black Woman To Become A Managing Editor
by Dana Givens

July 30, 2020

The Washington Post Appoints Its First Black Woman To Become A Managing Editor

Diversity within journalism has been a hot topic of conversation with more and more Black journalists coming forward about the open discrimination they have faced in the newsroom at some of the most prestigious publications in the country. This week, The Washington Post announced its history-making appointment of the first Black woman to become a managing editor for the publication.

Krissah Thompson will be the publication’s new managing editor for diversity and inclusion moving forward. Her hire is a result of the publication adding several new positions to its staff roster in an attempt to diversify its current workforce. According to The Grio, as of last year, the publication reported that its newsroom consisted of 71% of individuals who identified as non-Hispanic, white with their top managerial staff consisting of 79%.

“A diverse staff makes our reporting better,” Thompson said in an interview with The Post, according to The Grio. “We’re better when we have more perspectives and we can cover communities as deeply and widely as possible.

“Krissah will be in charge of ensuring significant, consistent progress on diversity and inclusiveness in everything we do—our coverage of race, ethnicity, and identity as well as improved recruitment, retention, and career advancement for journalists of color,” said Executive Editor Marty Baron in an official statement regarding the new appointment. “She will have the strong backing of the newsroom’s senior leadership in that highest-priority effort. She will require the support of everyone.”

“Today, after two decades in our newsroom, she is among its most trusted voices,” Baron continued. “Krissah is also a generous listener, and you can expect her to move quickly to hear your aspirations for both The Post and your own professional development.”

Thompson took to Twitter to express her excitement, sharing the announcement with her followers


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