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Pioneer Charlotte Broadcaster Bea Thompson Leaves The Mic

Courtesy Bea Thompson

A story on a pioneer. Broadcaster Bea Thompson deserves that title.  In 1980, Thompson was a reporter at WBTV when she was promoted to morning anchor. She became the first female black TV news anchor in Charlotte. Thompson is also a rarity in the industry – she spent her entire 40-year career in her hometown.  And her style is also distinctive. She’s easily recognizable for her “tell it like it is” demeanor. 

Last month, Thompson stepped away from broadcasting full-time. She’s now doing PR for a mental health non-profit. But we wanted to get her in a recording studio at least one more time. She stopped by WFAE to talk about her broadcasting career.

DMT022516BeaExtend.mp3
Extended conversation: Bea Thompson discusses memorable stories and her concerns about television journalism.

Marshall came to WFAE after graduating from Appalachian State University, where he worked at the campus radio station and earned a degree in communication. Outside of radio, he loves listening to music and going to see bands - preferably in small, dingy clubs.