Bruce Johnson (journalist) explained

Bruce Johnson
Birth Date:5 June 1950
Birth Place:Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Death Place:Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, U.S.
Occupation:Broadcast journalist, author, public speaker
Spouse:Lori Smith
Children:3

Chester Bruce Johnson (June 5, 1950 – April 3, 2022) was an American television news anchorman and reporter for WUSA 9 (CBS) TV in Washington, D.C.[1] He focused on politics and urban affairs as a journalist.[2]

In 2018, Johnson was honored by NATAS with its Board of Governors Award.[3] [4] He also won the Ted Yates Award in 1984,[5] given only with the unanimous consent of the NATAS Board of Directors. In 2003, the Society of Professional Journalists inducted Johnson into the Hall of Fame.[6] He was also a member of the Washington, D.C., Hall of Fame.

Early life and education

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 5, 1950, Johnson attended Kentucky State University for three years before beginning his broadcast career at the Cincinnati CBS affiliate, WCPO-TV [7] He transferred to 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]

Professional career

While still an undergraduate student, Johnson began his career at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio.[14] In 1976, he joined WUSA 9 TV, the CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C. He co-anchored Channel 9's 6 p.m. weekly newscasts. Until 2019, he also anchored "Off Script with Bruce Johnson," a weeknight 7 p.m. broadcast.[15] [16]

Johnson distinguished himself early with notable news stories, including the 1982 Washington Metro train derailment that killed three people and injured 25 others.[17] He covered the 1977 Hanafi Siege where 12 gunmen seized three Washington, D.C., buildings, held 149 hostages and killed a radio journalist colleague; a city hall police officer later died of a heart attack in hospital.[18]

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.

Johnson's assignments in 2010 included a trip to Port-Au-Prince to cover the deadly earthquake and aftermath in Haiti.[19] [20]

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.[21]

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 Councilmember Marion Barry, including Barry's arrest at the Vista Hotel for smoking crack cocaine, his prison sentence and return to elective political office.[22] Before his death, the "Mayor for Life," Marion Barry, had instructed his family and staff that 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."[23]

In 1992, Johnson suffered a heart attack while covering a news story in Washington, D.C.[24] He had just interviewed drug dealers working next to a youth summer jobs program hosted by D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly.[25] He felt a tightening in his chest and his cameraman drove him to a local firehouse. 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. As part of his recovery, Bruce Johnson trained and completed the 26.2-mile Marine Corps Marathon in Washington Marine Corps Marathon.

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

Publication YearTitlePublisherNotes
2009Heart to Heart[28] iUniverse
2012All or Nothing: The Victor Page StoryeBook2goAmazon Digital Services for Kindle

Awards and recognition

Johnson was honored by many organizations as part of his journalism and volunteer work in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas.[29] [30] In 1983–1984, Johnson earned the Ted Yates Award[31] given only with the unanimous consent of 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. 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 captured multiple Emmys for his reports on the city's violent crack epidemic in the 1980s and '90s and the plight of D.C.'s inner-city youth. Over the years, he won 22 Emmy awards. The Capitol Press Club awarded Johnson its Communication Award of Excellence in 1990. He was an inductee to NATAS Silver Circle and a 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. in June 2018, he was honored with the Board of Governors Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

Advocacy

In 2018, Johnson became a life member of "Mended Hearts," the premier nonprofit advocacy organization for men, women, and children recovering from cardiac issues. Through public speaking, interviews and his website, Bruce Johnson Heart to Heart,[34] he advocated for heart-healthy lifestyles.[35] [36] His efforts included a three-part television series that won national recognition from the American Heart Association and a documentary for the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) titled "Before You Eat the Church Food, Watch This Video."[37] [38] [39]

Later life and death

Johnson was married with three children and five grandchildren. He enjoyed road biking and he practiced yoga.

Johnson was a Catholic seminarian before deciding to pursue both acting and journalism.[40] Johnson died on April 3, 2022, after a heart attack in Lewes, Delaware.[41] [42] He was 71 years old.[43] [41]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BRUCE JOHNSON WUSA-TV9 Reporter/Anchor Washington, District of Columbia reporter/anchor/author. BlogTalkRadio. 21 November 2010 . April 10, 2013.
  2. Web site: Bruce Johnson: 'Your family members are watching you.' Spring 2018 NKU Commencement Speech . May 6, 2018 . . July 2, 2018.
  3. 2018 Board of Governors Award Honoree Announced . The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter Of The National Academy Of Television Arts And Sciences . April 26, 2018 . capitalemmys.org . June 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180624093105/http://www.capitalemmys.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-Board-of-Governors-Award-Press-Release-Bruce-Johnson.pdf . June 24, 2018.
  4. Web site: Bruce Johnson NATAS Board of Governors Award Winner 2018 . June 23, 2018 . July 18, 2018 . YouTube.
  5. Web site: Ted Yates Award for Bruce Johnson cited by DC Council archived document.. June 24, 2018.
  6. Bruce . Johnson . Heart Attack Survivors Share Intimate Stories in Heart to Heart by C. Bruce Johnson . . April 10, 2013 . May 19, 2010.
  7. Web site: Bruce Johnson bio Audible . April 4, 2022.
  8. Web site: NAB Bruce Johnson profile. . June 26, 2018.
  9. Web site: Spring 2018 NKU commencement speaker, Bruce Johnson (33:26), May 6, 2018.. 6 May 2018. YouTube. July 2, 2018.
  10. Web site: Bruce Johnson: 'Dream big.' 2018 Northern Kentucky University Commencement Speech (45:14), May 6, 2018.. 6 May 2018. YouTube. July 2, 2018.
  11. Web site: Bruce Johnson: 'Reach out and help out someone who doesn't look like you.' 2018 NKU Commencement speech . May 6, 2018. YouTube. July 2, 2018.
  12. Web site: NKU Doctor of Letters: Bruce Johnson for class of May 2018.. June 26, 2018.
  13. Web site: Bruce Johnson accepts Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree: Spring 2018 Northern Kentucky University Commencement, May 6, 2018.. 6 May 2018. YouTube. July 2, 2018.
  14. Web site: Notable Alumni: Bruce Johnson. Northern Kentucky University Alumni Association. April 10, 2013.
  15. Web site: WUSA OffScripton9, Opioid trafficking takedown and live discussion with guests, April 17, 2018.. June 26, 2018.
  16. Web site: YouTube: Bruce Johnson WUSA9.. YouTube. July 18, 2018.
  17. Web site: 30th Anniversary Of Metro Crash That Killed 3 People On Blue/Orange Line (video). WUSA 9. https://archive.today/20130630165715/http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/184531/158/30th-Anniversary-Of-Fatal-Metro-Crash. June 30, 2013. dead. April 10, 2013.
  18. Web site: Hanafi Hostages: 35 Years Later (video). https://archive.today/20130630173530/http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/195407/373/Hanafi-Hostages-35-Years-Later. dead. June 30, 2013. WUSA 9. April 10, 2013.
  19. Web site: WUSA 9 CBS, Bruce Johnson coverage in Haiti, January 14, 2010.. January 14, 2010. June 26, 2018.
  20. Web site: WUSA 9 newscast, Jan. 25, 2010: Bruce Johnson reports in Haiti after earthquake.. January 25, 2010. June 26, 2018.
  21. Web site: TV Spy article on D.C. coverage plans for Pope Visit, Sept. 21, 2015.. 21 September 2015. June 26, 2018.
  22. News: Chuck Brown fans pay respects at Howard Theatre (including Marion Barry). Montgomery. Sonsyrea Tate. May 29, 2012. The Washington Post. April 10, 2013.
  23. Web site: CSPAN: Bruce Johnson speech at Marion Barry Funeral, December 6, 2014.. June 29, 2018.
  24. Web site: Martin. Michel. Journalist Tells Of Having Massive Heart Attack At Age 42 (radio). NPR.org. April 10, 2013.
  25. Web site: Mavity. Rachel Swick. Lewes resident Bruce Johnson promotes book in China. CapeGazette.com. April 10, 2013.
  26. Web site: Johnson. C. Bruce. All or Nothing, The Victor Page Story. Amazon.com. April 10, 2013.
  27. Web site: Victor Page: Bruce Johnson Report April 2009, Feb. 26, 2012.. 26 February 2012. YouTube. July 18, 2018.
  28. Book: Johnson, C. Bruce. Heart to Heart. 978-1440170751. September 2009. iUniverse .
  29. Web site: 2006 Emmy ® Award Recipients. The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter Of The National Academy Of Television Arts And Sciences. April 10, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721131658/http://www.capitalemmys.tv/archive/_pdfs/2006_Emmy_Awardees_Final.pdf. July 21, 2011.
  30. Web site: Author Spotlight: Heart-Healthy Advocate and Author of Heart to Heart C. Bruce Johnson Wins Doctor's National Award. iUniverse. April 10, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20121214194244/http://www.iuniverse.com/Community/AuthorSpotlightCBruceJohnson.aspx. December 14, 2012. dead.
  31. Web site: Profile of Bruce Johnson on National Association of Broadcasters.. June 24, 2018.
  32. Web site: Ted Yates Award form & List of Winners from The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter Of The National Academy Of Television Arts And Sciences.. June 24, 2018.
  33. Web site: WUSA 9 article on Bruce Johnson's 40th year at the TV station.. 15 March 2016. June 26, 2018.
  34. Web site: BruceJohnsonHearttoHeart.com. Retrieve 2 July 2018..
  35. Web site: Award-Winning Reporter Adds a Heart Healthy Lifestyle to His Beat. Bruce Johnson Heart to Heart website. April 10, 2013.
  36. Web site: Johnson. C. Bruce. Marine Marathon (video). YouTube.com. 7 October 2009 . April 10, 2013.
  37. Web site: PGTVonline report: Before you eat the church food, December 18, 2015.. 18 December 2015. YouTube. June 29, 2018.
  38. Web site: Private Screening: Before You Eat The Church Food, May 3, 2013.. 3 May 2013. YouTube. June 29, 2018.
  39. Web site: BET.com: Before you eat the church food, March 12, 2013.. BET. June 29, 2018.
  40. Today's Friends of Nigel . McCarren . Andrea . andreamccarren . 968103793052344320 . February 26, 2018 . live . January 7, 2022 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20220107155558/https://twitter.com/andreamccarren/status/968103793052344320 . January 7, 2022.
  41. News: Silverman . Ellie . April 4, 2022 . Veteran WUSA9 anchor Bruce Johnson dies at 71 . . April 4, 2022.
  42. News: Retired Channel 9 anchor Bruce Johnson dies . April 4, 2022 . WTOP News.
  43. News: Longtime WUSA9 anchor Bruce Johnson dies at 71 . April 6, 2022 . wusa9.com . April 3, 2022.