Bruce Johnson, also known as C. Bruce Johnson, is an American TV news anchorman and reporter for WUSA 9 (CBS) TV in Washington, D.C. Politics and Urban Affairs, Investigative, and hard-hitting feature stories are his expertise. His personal story includes never knowing his natural father, studying to become a priest, and being the first in his family to graduate college. His mother later earned her degree at age 52.
Bruce Johnson is the author of the books, Heart to Heart, and All or Nothing, The Victor Page Story.
Johnson has won 22 Emmys from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
In 2018 Johnson earned the NATAS Board of Governors Award He has also won the Ted Yates Award, given only with the unanimous consent of the NATAS Board of Directors. In 2003, the Society of Professional Journalists inducted him into the Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Washington, DC Hall of Fame.
He has been recognized by the DC City Council, DC Mayors, and hundreds of civic and community groups and charities for his service work.
Bruce Johnson is listed as a noted alumnus of 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. In 2018 Johnson returned to NKU as Commencement speaker. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree .
Johnson is a member of the National Press Club (NPC), The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He is a national advocate for survivors of heart attacks and cancer.
Video Bruce Johnson (journalist)
Professional career
While still in undergrad school, Bruce Johnson began his career at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1976 He joined WUSA 9, the CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C.. For over 42 years, he has been an award winning anchor and reporter for major news stories from the Nations Capitol.
He currently co-anchors the 6:pm weekly newscasts. He is also anchor of "Off Script with Bruce Johnson", a weeknight 7pm broadcast with Bruce's commentary; smart, frank political debates and robust social media content.
Johnson distinguished himself early with notable news stories, including the 1982 Washington Metro train derailment that killed three people and injured twenty-five others. He covered the 1977 Hanafi Siege where twelve gunmen seized three Washington D.C. buildings, held 149 hostages and killed a colleague and radio journalist and a city hall police officer.
The early 1990's 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. . "Capitols of the World" aired during Sunday evenings prime time immediately after "60 Minutes" on CBS.
Bruce's assignments In 2010 included a trip to Port-Au-Prince to cover the deadly earthquake and aftermath in Haiti.
In March of 2013 Bruce 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., he covered the visits of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
In 2017, using his own iPhone, Johnson traveled to Cuba to produce a report about how American travel to the communist country had been changed after President Trump's rollback of changes under President Obama.
Johnson covered the rise, fall and rise again of DC's best known and controversial local politician, the late D.C. Mayor and City councilman Marion Barry, including Barry's arrest at the Vista Hotel for smoking crack cocaine, his prison sentence and return to an elected political office. Before his death, the "Mayor for Life," Marion Barry had instructed his family and staff that Bruce Johnson be the only journalist to speak at his public funeral which drew thousands. Johnson explained to the crowd "I owe him my career to Marion Barry."
In 1992, Johnson suffered a heart attack while covering a news story in Washington, D.C. He had just interviewed drug dealers working next to a youth summer jobs program hosted by D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly. 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 that he had suffered a massive heart attack which is 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 corp marathon in Washington.Marine Corps Marathon.He also authored the book, Heart to Heart featuring his story and the diverse comeback stories of 11 other men and women 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.
Maps Bruce Johnson (journalist)
Awards and recognition
Johnson has been honored by many organizations as part of his journalist and volunteer work in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. In 1983-1984, Johnson earned the Ted Yates Award given only with the unanimous consent from the Board of Governors 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. City Council also recognized him for being the nation's best urban affairs and investigative journalists. In 2007 Johnson won a local Emmy for his report on repairs at the Duke Ellington School. He has captured multiple Emmys for his fearless investigative reports on the city's angerous crack epidemic of the 1980's and 90's and the plight of D.C.'s inner city youth. The Capitol Press Club named him Journalist of the year. He earned the NATAS Silver Circle award and became a member of the Washington D.C. Hall of Fame. Johnson received the Doctor's National Award from the Association of Black Cardiologists in 2011. in June of 2018, he was honored with the Board of Governors Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).
Advocacy
in 2018 Bruce Johnson became a life member of "Mended Hearts", the premier advocacy non profit for men,women and children recovering from cardiac issues. Through public speaking, interviews and his website "Bruce Johnson Heart to Heart" he advocates for heart healthy life styles. His efforts have 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."
Personal life
Johnson is married with three adult children and three grandsons. He enjoys road biking and practices yoga.
External links
- Bruce Johnson Homepage
- WUSA 9 Official Website
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia