First published at age 10, media industry professional Georgette C R Johnson joins the Michigan Chronicle as Executive Editor-General Manager. Johnson, a 30-year veteran journalist has expertise in marketing, community and public relations, crisis management, event planning, government, education. She also has experience in insurance and financial services.
She was first published in The Detroit News Sunday Magazine when a classroom essay was submitted by her English teacher. “I received a check for $50 and my life changed,” says Johnson. “I already had a passion for words and communicating but this opened up a whole new world of understanding and possibilities. I was hooked.”
She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists as past deputy director of Region II, and parliamentarian and programming committee chair of its Detroit chapter. For more than seven years, she coordinated film crews for ARISE Detroit Neighborhoods Day throughout the city and led the production team for the documentaries which chronicled the annual events.
“We are all truly excited about Georgette joining The Michigan Chronicle and The Real Times Family,” said Publisher Hiram Jackson. Her deep experience and passion for community journalism will be a major asset to our organization. This is a period of major change for all media operations and we are looking forward to utilizing Georgette’s unique set of skills to move us into this new decade.”
Executive Editor & General Manager
Johnson spent several years as director of communications for the Pontiac School District. She served four years as press secretary for the Pontiac mayor and executive office liaison for seven city departments. She led many marketing campaigns from combating recall elections to recruitment and positive positioning. Johnson wrote grants, scripted, planned and executed four State of the City Addresses, Mayor’s Inaugural Ball, State of the District Address and many other high-profile events. Before joining the mayor’s office in Pontiac, Johnson was spokesperson for the Detroit Housing Commission.
Johnson has Homeland Security training and certification through the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, which has been tested with successful results in the handling of everything from bomb threats to homicides to anthrax.
Johnson’s experience in media began at WJBK-TV2. Most of her career developed at WWJ/CBS Radio. She started as the first official station intern and held every position and assignments from writer to executive producer and planner of major productions and special events to public affairs liaison and assistant operations manager. She spent nine years in the newsroom producing award-winning newscasts, series, documentaries, special productions and coaching writers, producers, editors and reporters.
Special productions included the Ask the Mayor Show (Mayor Coleman Young), The Mayor Dennis Archer Show, Ask the Governor Show, primary and general elections, ITT Automotive Grand Prix, Detroit International Auto Show, Mazda/Free Press International Marathon and other remote broadcasts.
“The Michigan Chronicle is an historic and community institution with deep roots and amazing legacy,” she said. “I’m looking forward to assisting with more history-making moments and campaigns.”
Johnson is a graduate of Cass Technical High School and Wayne State University earning a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the Journalism Institute for Media Diversity. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
About Post Author
