Ruth Allen Ollison, an African-American journalist based in Houston, Texas, who became the first African-American female news director in a top 10 market for her work at KDAF and spent over 20 years in broadcast journalism in various positions.[1][2]
Ruth Allen Ollison | |
|---|---|
| Born | Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A.) & Wesley Theological Seminary (PhD) |
| Occupation | Broadcast journalist |
| Years active | Over 20 years |
| Employer(s) | NBC, KDAF, WTTG-TV |
| Known for | Broadcast journalism |
| Awards | NABJ Hall of Fame Honoree |
Personal
editRuth Allen Ollison was born in rural Texas where she worked as a waitress before her journalism career.[3] Ollison has a husband named Quincy and a son named Jacob. She pursued graduate degrees in divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A.) and mininistry from Wesley Theological Seminary (PhD).[4]
Career
editAs a journalist, Ollison worked in various news departments in Texas and Washington, D.C. She worked as the assistant news director at WTTG-TV in Washington DC.[5] Ollison also worked in various Texas news organizations in San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. She started the NBC affiliate in Tyler, Texas.[6] She also ran the KDAF and KXAS channels in Dallas.[7]
In 1989 Ollison began an eight-month campaign for the presidency of the National Association of Black Journalists.[3] Ollison reportedly received nearly $10,000 from her employer at WTTG-TV for the campaign.[8] Ollison ended up losing the 1989 election.[3] Ollison was the regional director of the National Association of Black Journalists for four years.[9]
After her career in broadcasting, she converted a crack house in inner city Houston into the Beulah Land Community Church.[10] Ollison also served as an adjunct professor at Houston Baptist University, Houston Graduate School of Theology, and B.H. Carroll Theological Institute.[4] In addition, Ollison is a government contractor through her work with Ollison/Elsberg. She is a coach for broadcast personalities and a specialist in helping failing news departments.[11][12] Ollison is the founder and spiritual leader of the Beulah Land Community Church.[10]
Notable works of journalism
edit
Ollison is well known for starting the news department at an NBC affiliate in Tyler, Texas.[13] Ollison is also helped enhance various failing news departments in Texas and Washington D.C.[1] Ollison has headed Emmy Award winning news departments in Texas and Washington D.C. and has a reputation as a turnaround specialist.[12] Ollison's work has inspired many women business leaders like Patricia Vice.[14] Ollison work can be seen on Women Who Lead show from HCCTV.[15]
Impact
editIn 1985, Ollison became the first African-American woman to become a News Director in a top ten marker due to her work at KDAF in Dallas, Texas.[1]
Ollison worked for 20 years in broadcast communication and helped to influence many struggling new departments throughout her career.[12] Ollison went on to become news director at KETK in Tyler, Texas and assistant news director for Fox Channel 5 in Washington D.C.[16] Ollison's worked as a turn-around specialist, someone who works with failing news departments, and through her work she helped improve many news departments over her career.[12] Ollison is a big proponent for diversity in the newsroom through actively seeking out African-American news casters.[17] Ollison sought to improve conditions in inner-city Houston by starting a ministry.[1]
Reactions
editAccording to the National Association of Black Journalists Ollison "...has shown renowned strengths in news reporting, anchoring, and management."[13] The Atlanta Daily World praised Ollison for her work as a news executive in enhancing various news networks.[1] Ollison has also been praised for her contributions to the Beulah Land Community Church.[10]
Awards
editOllison's work in broadcast journalism earned her a spot in the National Association of Black Journalist's Hall of Fame.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "CNN's Suzanne Malveaux to Host NABJ Hall of Fame Ceremony Jan. 26 in Washington, D.C.-Industry Star-Powered Event to Honor Gwen Ifill, Pat Harvey, Johnathan Rodgers, Ruth Allen Ollison, Wallace Terry, and Michael Fields". 7 January 2012.
- ^ "Black journalist group honors Houston pastor".
- ^ a b c O'Donnell, Frank (February 1992). "Confessions of a news producer". Regardie's Magazine.
- ^ a b "Women at the Feet of Jesus Conference". 27 March 2014.
- ^ Dawkins, Wayne (21 October 1997). Black Journalists: The NABJ Story. August Press LLC. ISBN 9780963572042 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Carey, Isiah (4 January 2012). "Isiah Factor - The InsiteHOUSTON MINISTER INDUCTED INTO THE..."
- ^ Mathews, Quin (August 1986). "Death of a Newscast". D Magazine.
- ^ Warren, James (August 15, 1989). "The Price Of Politics". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Dawkins, Wayne (2003). Rugged Waters: Black Journalists Swim the Mainstream. August Press LLC. p. 1 – via Internet Archive.
ruth allen ollison.
- ^ a b c "Third Ward church has plan".
- ^ "Ruth Allen Ollison in Houston Texas". government-contractors.insidegov.com.
- ^ a b c d "Bios". ollisonelsbergassociates.com.
- ^ a b c "National Association of Black Journalists". www.nabj.org.
- ^ "Small Business Magazine Today – Texas Security Shredding Houston". texassecurityshredding.com.
- ^ College, Houston Community. "HCCTV Shows - Houston Community College - HCC". www.hccs.edu.
- ^ CARMODY, JOHN (16 September 1987). "THE TV COLUMN" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
- ^ Chad, Norman (23 June 1989). "LOCAL ANCHORS A SHUTOUT" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
- ^ Hunter, Jeannine (23 January 2012). "National Association of Black Journalists to analyze industry at the Newseum". The Washington Post.