Leon Bibb: A Pioneer in Ohio Broadcast Journalism A thesis presented to the faculty of the Scripps College of Communication of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science Brianna L. Savoca June 2010 © 2010 Brianna L. Savoca. All Rights Reserved. This thesis titled Leon Bibb: A Pioneer in Ohio Broadcast Journalism by BRIANNA L. SAVOCA has been approved for the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and the Scripps College of Communication by Mary T. Rogus Associate Professor of Journalism Gregory J. Shepherd Dean, Scripps College of Communication ii Abstract SAVOCA, BRIANNA L., M.S., June 2010, Journalism Leon Bibb: A Pioneer in Ohio Broadcast Journalism (117 pp.) Director of Thesis: Mary T. Rogus Leon Bibb became Ohio’s first black primetime anchor in 1976 when he was promoted at WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio. He was also one of the first ten black primetime anchors in the country. Almost a decade later, he broke new ground again as the first black primetime anchor in Ohio’s largest television market when Cleveland’s WKYC-TV promoted him to the anchor desk in 1985. With this promotion, he became the seventh black primetime anchor in a top 20 market in the country. Bibb entered the journalism field during an era when there were very few blacks in the newsroom. A true trailblazer, Bibb opened the doors for many of Ohio’s black television journalists, and he continues to keep those doors open as a veteran television news anchor for WEWS-TV in Cleveland, Ohio. An iconic figure in Northeast Ohio, Bibb’s deep, low voice and exemplary storytelling abilities have set him apart from his peers in the business. An award-winning anchor, Leon Bibb sets an example for journalists by adapting to the ever- changing field of broadcast journalism. This thesis examines his life and career, his struggles and successes, and uncovers unique anecdotes to insightfully reveal the personality and unique history of one of Cleveland’s most beloved broadcast journalists. Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Mary T. Rogus Associate Professor of Journalism iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank my committee, Dr. Patrick Washburn and Dr. Aimee Edmondson for their wonderful historical insight and support. Thank you for taking an interest in my topic and pointing me in the right direction for research. A very special thanks to my chair, Professor Mary Rogus. You have served as an exemplary advisor who has become an inspiring role model and friend during the course of my studies. Thank you for guiding and supporting me through this process. I would like to thank my Gramma and Grampa. Gramma, thanks for serving as my “unofficial editor” during the many phases of my writing and taking the time to read and critique my work. Also, a big thank you goes to my Grampa for driving me to and from OU when I didn’t have a car, and for your endless encouragement. Without either of you, I would not have made it through my four years at OU. This thesis never could have been completed without the time and patience of Leon and Marguerite Bibb, who kindly answered all of my questions and gave me wonderful, first-hand narratives of their public and private experiences. It was a pleasure getting to know you and learn about your lives. iv Dedication For my Papito, Charles J. Savoca, Jr. Broadcasting was your dream, but you encouraged me to follow mine. Thanks for driving me every week to smARTS, and thanks for making sure I made it here. v Table of Contents Page Abstract.............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements............................................................................................................ iv Dedication............................................................................................................................v List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures.................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction........................................................................................................1 The Storyteller .................................................................................................................1 Ohio’s First Black Anchor...............................................................................................2 Chapter 2: The Beginning of Bibb.......................................................................................7 Chapter 3: Bibb’s Battles Begin Victories and Defeats During College ......................15 Chapter 4: Welcome to the Real World.............................................................................34 Chapter 5: Making History ................................................................................................40 Chapter 6: Cleveland Calling.............................................................................................57 Chapter 7: The Battlefield at Home...................................................................................69 Chapter 8: Changing Channels ..........................................................................................77 Chapter 9: Award-Winning Anchor ..................................................................................88 Chapter 10: Conclusion .....................................................................................................96 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................103 vi List of Tables Page Table 1: First Black Anchors in the U.S.........................................................................42 Table 2: Leon Bibb’s Awards…………………………………………………………..88 vii List of Figures Page Figure 1: Leon Bibb anchoring for WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio in late 1976...……...2 Figure 2: Leon Bibb for a WKYC-TV promotion in Cleveland, Ohio...……………….…3 Figure 3: Photograph of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taken by Bibb………....…………20 Figure 4: Bibb’s staff picture for the Plain Dealer in 1966...…….……………….…….23 Figure 5: Photograph of Bibb in Vietnam………………………………………….……24 Figure 6: Bibb and WCMH-TV News Director and Anchor Hugh De Moss……….…..38 Figure 7: Bibb at WCMH NBC-4 in Columbus during the 1970s…………………...….40 Figure 8: Bibb walking the halls of WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio……..……….…....41 Figure 9: Bibb before an interview at WCMH-TV………..…..…………..………........ 45 Figure 10: Bibb reporting at WKYC-TV in Cleveland, Ohio in 1979………………......57 Figure 11: Bibb reporting in downtown Cleveland in the early 1980’s…………………59 Figure 12: Bibb anchoring the primetime newscast for WKYC-TV…………………....60 Figure 13: Bibb anchoring the NBC-3 newscast………………………………….....…..62 Figure 14: Bibb anchoring WKYC’s “Action 3 News”.…………………………….…..63 Figure 15: Bibb with co-anchor Jill Beach and Tom Brokaw…………………………...64 Figure 16: Bibb reporting live from the field for WKYC-TV.………………………......65 Figure 17: Bibb hosting “Kaleidoscope” on WEWS TV-5 ………………..……………79 Figure 18: Bibb anchoring “Kaleidoscope” in 2007……………….…………………….81 Figure 19: Photograph from a feature story about Bibb in the Plain Dealer……….…...84 Figure 20: Bibb’s headshot for WEWS in 2010………………………….……………...91 viii Chapter 1: Introduction The Storyteller It was a snowy, freezing cold day at the beginning of January 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. Leon Bibb pulled his Lexus into the parking lot of the Shaker Heights Public Library, right around the corner from his house. Heavy snowflakes fell as he trudged through the thick layer of slush that already coated the ground. The large brick building, full of books and words beckoned him to come inside. With more than forty years experience in journalism, Bibb learned to appreciate words. He appreciated good writing. However, on that day he was not reading or borrowing the nostalgic 1940s movies he adored.1 Bibb was telling a story. He strolled in the door, courteously removed the black felt bowler from his head, and delicately brushed the snow off the shoulders of his dark winter overcoat. Librarians perked their heads up from their work, instantly recognizing the local celebrity and active community member in the doorway. They waved and bid him, “Good morning, Leon!” as he walked in. He curtly nodded his head and smoothly replied, “Good morning. How are you?” His deep, resonating voice echoed off the low ceiling of the entry chamber. Even the library goers who had not looked up from their books could now recognize who had just walked in. Bibb’s unique, rich voice instantaneously linked him to the iconic voice Northeast Ohioans hear on the news every night. As reporter Brian McIntyre said, colleagues refer to Bibb as “The Voice,”2 and have compared him to the narrators who portray the voice of God. It was in this same rich voice, Bibb proceeded to tell a story in a corner of the library. Ordinarily, he told Northeast Ohio news stories every night on 1 TV. But on that cold day at the library, Bibb told a story viewers never hear. Bibb was telling his story. Figure 1. Leon Bibb anchoring for WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio in late 1976. Still shot taken from YouTube.com Ohio’s First Black Anchor Leon Bibb, a veteran television news anchor and journalist since 1966, was the first black primetime anchor in Ohio and one of the first ten in the country.3