April Ryan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
April Ryan
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Ryan in 2019
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| Born |
April Danielle Ryan
September 5, 1967 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
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| Education | Morgan State University (BA) |
| Occupation | Correspondent |
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Notable credit(s)
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The Grio |
April Danielle Ryan (born September 5, 1967) is a well-known American reporter and author. She is famous for her work as a White House Correspondent. This means she reports on the President of the United States and their team. She works for a news organization called The Grio. In 2023, she also started contributing to MSNBC, a TV news channel.
Before joining The Grio, April Ryan worked for American Urban Radio Networks. She was their White House correspondent from 1997 to 2020. She also appeared on CNN as a political analyst. In 2017, the National Association of Black Journalists honored her. They named her "Journalist of the Year."
Contents
April Ryan's Career Journey
April Ryan is a White House Correspondent and Washington Bureau Chief for The Grio. She studied broadcast journalism at Morgan State University. She earned her bachelor's degree there. Later, her university gave her an honorary doctorate in 2017. She also has honorary doctorates from other colleges.
Early Days in Media
April Ryan started her media career in a fun way. She was a jazz disc jockey, playing music on the radio. After that, she became a reporter. Before covering the White House, she worked at various radio stations. These stations were in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the United States. She even worked at her university's radio station, WEAA-FM. She was also the news director at WXYV-FM in Baltimore, Maryland.
Reporting from the White House
April Ryan has been a member of the White House press corps for 27 years. She reported for American Urban Radio Networks for a long time. She is also a member of the National Press Club. She is one of only three African Americans to serve on the board of the White House Correspondents' Association. This is a group for journalists who cover the White House.
As a White House correspondent, April Ryan has covered five different presidents. She has interviewed many important people. These include Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, George W. Bush, and Hillary Clinton. She also interviewed leaders like Thabo Mbeki.
Asking Tough Questions
After Donald Trump became president, April Ryan had some notable exchanges. She asked him and his press secretary, Sean Spicer, important questions. At one press conference, she asked President Trump about meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus. This is a group of African American members of Congress. She asked if he planned to meet with them. He asked her to set up the meeting. He also asked if they were her friends. Ryan explained she was just a reporter.
Later, in 2017, Sean Spicer accused her of having a hidden plan. This happened when she asked about Trump's connections with Russia. He also scolded her for shaking her head.
Speaking Up for Minorities
April Ryan is one of the few African Americans in the White House press corps. She often asks questions about issues important to minority groups. She believes it's important for all voices to be heard. She said that all people are covered by the White House. She doesn't mind being called a "black reporter." She sees it as an honor. She also asks about other topics like China, Russia, Syria, and North Korea.
She explained why diversity in the press corps is important. She remembered George W. Bush saying they needed more minorities. He said that you don't hear certain issues unless they come from someone with that background. She believes that if you're not "at the table," you might not hear stories from your community.
Journalism's Purpose
April Ryan believes the purpose of the press stays the same. Even when leaders are not friendly to the media, the goal is clear. Journalists must get accurate information and facts. This information is for the American public. She stressed that it's not about the journalists themselves. It's about freedom of the press. It's about informing everyone.
Recent Work and Books
In 2023, she joined MSNBC as a political contributor. Before that, she was a CNN political analyst from 2017 to 2023.
April Ryan has also written books. Her first book, The Presidency in Black and White, came out in 2015. It was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Her second book, At Mama's Knee, was published in 2016. Her writing has also appeared in Politico. She also has a blog called Fabric of America. It focuses on minority issues and stories in the United States.
Awards and Honors for April Ryan
In May 2017, the National Association of Black Journalists gave April Ryan a special award. They named her the "Journalist of the Year."
On July 11, 2019, she received another honor. She was made an honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. This is a Greek-letter organization for women.
April Ryan's Personal Life
April Ryan grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. She still lives there with her two daughters, Ryan and Grace. On October 14, 2023, April Ryan married James Ewing. He is a retired naval officer.
