As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's essential to highlight the achievements of remarkable women who have significantly impacted their respective fields. April Ryan, a Baltimore native and veteran journalist, is one such woman.
Ryan has been the White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) since 1997, covering three presidents. As a journalist, she has conducted one-on-one interviews with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, South African President Thabo Mbeki, Senator John Kerry, and many others. A White House historian has credited Ryan with the most radio interviews with then-President Bill Clinton during his White House years.
In addition to her work at AURN, Ryan has authored the best-selling book "The Presidency in Black and White: My Up Close View of Three Presidents and Race in America." Her book was named by NBC News as one of 14 books to read during Black History Month in 2015.
Ryan has also been recognized for her contributions to journalism and the media. She was elected to serve on the board of the prestigious White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) for a three-year term and is one of only three African Americans in the Association's 100-year history to serve on the WHCA board. Ryan is also a regular panelist on NBC's "Meet the Press," ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," and the CBS program "Face the Nation."
Ryan's breaking news stories and interviews have found their way to the pages of some of the nation's top newspapers, and her breaking news coverage with First Lady Laura Bush was highlighted on NBC's "Today Show." Not only is Ryan a trailblazer in her field, but she also has a strong connection to Baltimore, MD. She worked for several radio stations in Baltimore, including WXYV-FM, where she was the news director.
As we continue celebrating Women's History Month, we want to recognize and honor the accomplishments of April Ryan. Ryan's remarkable achievements as a journalist and author have made her a role model for women, especially women of color, who aspire to succeed in the media industry. Her contributions to journalism have helped shape how we understand and interpret politics, race, and society. She has broken barriers and paved the way for future generations.
