CBS’ Michelle Miller On Receiving Key to New York City

MadameNoire not too long ago sat down for an unique interview with Michelle Miller, an award-winning broadcast journalist, co-host of CBS Saturday Morning and New York Occasions bestselling creator. This month, Michelle was introduced with the distinguished key to New York Metropolis in the course of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy’s annual gala, held on November 18, 2024. This momentous achievement acknowledged her distinctive work as a journalist, her contributions to amplifying underrepresented voices, and her efforts to showcase the various tales that form the town.

On this unique interview, we sat down with Michelle to debate her outstanding profession journey, her challenges, and the importance of being acknowledged as a dwelling legacy and receiving a key to New York Metropolis. Rhonda Binda, Govt Director of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, emphasised the significance of the Gracie Mansion as a logo of New York Metropolis’s historical past and tradition. “The Gracie Mansion isn’t solely a residence however a dwelling museum that preserves the town’s wealthy previous whereas wanting towards the longer term,” Binda completely shared by way of Michelle’s unique interview. She additionally highlighted the gala’s position in supporting the Conservancy’s mission: “Our honorees characterize a dwelling legacy of excellence, and their contributions proceed to form the town and past.”

Miller, a proud South Central Los Angeles native who has made New York her residence for the previous 20 years, shared how her journey has been formed by paying it ahead: uplifting others, particularly younger men and women in journalism. As she displays on her profession and up to date recognition of the important thing to New York Metropolis, Michelle underscores the transformative energy of belonging and the profound impression of mentorship, showcasing the values that proceed to information her work and legacy. Learn on for Michelle’s insightful, impactful and galvanizing interview.

MadameNoire: You had been not too long ago honored with the distinguished Key to New York Metropolis on the Gracie Mansion Conservancy’s Annual Gala. What does this honor imply to you?

Michelle Miller: Receiving the Key to New York Metropolis represents the end result of my work over the previous twenty years. It’s a recognition of my efforts to showcase the skills of New Yorkers, particularly these from underserved communities. New York is a metropolis that thrives due to its range, and I’ve made it a degree to spotlight the contributions of African People, Hispanics, Native People, and different communities who’ve formed this metropolis. It’s about amplifying the voices which might be typically unheard and celebrating the achievements in each area—from STEM to the humanities—which have made this metropolis and nation nice.

(L-R) Key to the Metropolis honorees, New York Occasions Bestselling Creator and Co-Host of “CBS Saturday Morning” Michelle Miller and President and CEO of the Nationwide City League Marc H. Morial are all smiles on the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Profit Gala  Supply: Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy / different

MadameNoire: As an award-winning journalist and anchor on CBS Morning Information, may you share the affect of mentors in your profession journey?

Once I first visited New York in 1985, I discovered that considered one of my distant cousins was Carol Jenkins, a legendary journalist at WNBC. She epitomized the form of journalist I aspired to be—genuine and highly effective in her storytelling. Her presence and her capacity to inform tales in a method that resonated with folks influenced me deeply. Her instance confirmed me the significance of being true to your self, and that authenticity is vital to connecting with an viewers. It was by embracing that genuine voice that I broke by in my profession, particularly at CBS Information.

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Supply: (L-R) Director of Public Engagement of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Chioma Ohakam; Gracie Mansion Advisory Board Member, Catherine Loevner; Chief of Employees, Workplace of the President and CEO, Marc H. Morial, Tina Pizzimenti MSL; Govt Director of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Rhonda Binda; and Gracie Mansion Advisory Board Member, Carolyn Maloney pose for a photograph on the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Profit Gala on Monday, November 18th 2024. (Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy) / different

MadameNoire: What position does storytelling play in reshaping narratives about Black identification and Black excellence?

Storytelling is likely one of the oldest components of our tradition. It is likely one of the definers of us as human beings, and us crafting who we’re as folks. For too lengthy, our narratives had been misrepresented or erased, however now we’re reclaiming them. Telling our personal tales reinforces our tradition and historical past, celebrating our successes and galvanizing future generations. My husband, Marc H. Morial, president of the Nationwide City League, and I are devoted to this trigger. Subsequent 12 months, we are going to unveil the Nationwide City League headquarters in Harlem, which is able to embody the primary Civil Rights Museum in New York Metropolis. This area will honor the impression of Black folks on the town and the nation, from the Nice Migration to the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Motion.

Supply: Chief of Employees to the Mayor and Chair of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Board of Administrators, Camille Joseph Varlack, and Key to the Metropolis honoree, New York Occasions Bestselling Creator and Co-Host of “CBS Saturday Morning” Michelle Miller, pose for a photograph on the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Profit Gala on Monday, November 18th 2024. Supply: Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy

The brand new headquarters will likely be a monumental establishment in Harlem and also will home a studio, museum workplaces, the United Negro School Fund, 100 Black Males, and 17 tales of reasonably priced housing. It will likely be a self-sustaining establishment that serves as each a cultural hub and empowerment middle, bringing much-needed improvement to the one hundred and twenty fifth Road hall, with facilities like Entire Meals, Dealer Joe’s, and Sephora close by. That is a part of a broader effort to proceed the legacy of Black excellence in New York Metropolis, and I’m extremely pleased with the work we’re doing collectively.

MadameNoire: What recommendation would you give to younger ladies of shade aspiring to make an impression in media and journalism?

My recommendation is to do the work and keep linked to your group. Journalism is about telling tales that matter and one of the best ways to do this is by being concerned in your group. I typically hear younger folks in journalism say they’ll’t become involved, however as a group member, it’s important to interact. For me, that meant supporting native colleges in Harlem and Brooklyn, giving my time to younger folks, and guaranteeing ladies, particularly survivors of home abuse, have secure areas. I’m additionally dedicated to the humanities, serving on the board of the College of American Ballet and advocating for schooling in each the humanities and STEM.

New York Mayor Eric Adams introduced this 12 months’s honorees with the distinguished Key to the Metropolis on the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Profit Gala on Monday, November 18th 2024. (Supply: Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy) / different

Being lively in these causes has linked me with others and helped me thrive on this group. Via organizations just like the Larger New York Hyperlinks, who supported my ebook Belonging on the New York Occasions bestseller record, I’ve seen firsthand how being concerned can create significant change and encourage impactful tales that transfer the needle.

Get entangled, make a distinction in your group, and the remainder will observe.

(L-R) Director of Public Engagement of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Chioma Ohakam; Key to the Metropolis honoree, President and CEO of the Nationwide City League Marc H. Morial; and Govt Director of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Rhonda Binda pose for a photograph on the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Profit Gala on Monday, November 18th 2024. Supply: Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy

MadameNoire: What message do you hope to encourage by your work, receiving the important thing to New York Metropolis, and the significance of honoring and amplifying Black excellence?

As a lady from South Central Los Angeles, I’m extremely proud to have made it in New York Metropolis. Residing right here for 20 years and giving again to this group has been my method of paying it ahead. Karma works once you uplift others, and over time, I’ve helped younger men and women in my area really feel secure, settled, and like they belong. That sense of belonging is the essence of my ebook Belonging, and I’m proud to hold that legacy ahead. Being acknowledged on this method is a testomony to the mentors who helped me, and it’s my honor to move that assist on.

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