Ponchitta Pierce facts for kids
Ponchitta Pierce was born on August 5, 1942. She is a talented television host, producer, and journalist. She also works as a speech writer and a communications expert. Ponchitta started her career in journalism at Ebony magazine. Later, she became the New York editor for Johnson Publications. This company owns Ebony magazine.
Early Life and School
Ponchitta Marie Anne Vincent Pierce was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her birthday is August 5, 1942. Her parents, Alfred Leonard Pierce and Nora Vincent Pierce, were from New Orleans, Louisiana. When she was in eighth grade, Ponchitta moved to Los Angeles, CA. There, she went to Bishop Conaty High School.
Ponchitta went to the University of Southern California. She earned a B.A. degree in journalism with high honors. She also studied at Cambridge University in England. While at USC, she wrote for the student newspaper. She also helped edit the school's yearbook.
Her Career in Media
Ponchitta Pierce started as an assistant editor in 1964. She worked for Ebony and Jet magazines. By 1965, she became an associate editor. In 1966, she wrote an important article for Ebony. It was part of a special issue about "The Negro Woman." Her words from that article are still remembered today.
Her first time on broadcast news was in 1967. In 1973, she joined CBS News as a special correspondent. She also hosted shows for WNET, a PBS station in New York. Ponchitta also worked at WNBC-TV in New York. From 1982 to 1987, she hosted and co-produced Today in New York. This was a daily television show.
In 1979, she reported on the death of former Vice President Nelson Rockefeller. She was contacted by a friend, Megan Marshack, who was with him. Ponchitta then called for an ambulance.
Ponchitta Pierce has also written for many national magazines. She was a contributing editor for Parade magazine. She also wrote for McCall's and Reader's Digest. Her articles have appeared in AARP: The Magazine, Family Circle, More, Newsday, and Ladies Home Journal.
Community Involvement
Ponchitta Pierce is a member of several important groups. She serves on the board of directors for the Foreign Policy Association. She is also on the board for WNET. She helps with the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. This fund is part of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. She also helps Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged (Help USA). She is on the board for the Cuban Artists Fund too.
She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. This group discusses world events. She belongs to the Economic Club of New York. She is on the advisory board for the Center on Public Diplomacy. This center is at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She also advises the Columbia-Presbyterian Health Science Council.
