Ruth Allen Ollison

Last updated
Ruth Allen Ollison
Born
Texas
NationalityAmerican
EducationSouthwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A.) & Wesley Theological Seminary (PhD)
OccupationBroadcast journalist
Years activeOver 20 years
Employer(s)NBC, KDAF, WTTG-TV
Known forBroadcast journalism
AwardsNABJ Hall of Fame Honoree

Ruth Allen Ollison, an African-American journalist based in Houston, Texas, who became the first African-American female news director in a top 10 market for her work at KDAF and spent over 20 years in broadcast journalism in various positions. [1] [2]

Contents

Personal

Ruth Allen Ollison was born in rural Texas where she worked as a waitress before her journalism career. [3] Ollison has a husband named Quincy and a son named Jacob. She pursued graduate degrees in divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A.) and mininistry from Wesley Theological Seminary (PhD). [4]

Career

As a journalist, Ollison worked in various news departments in Texas and Washington, D.C. She worked as the assistant news director at WTTG-TV in Washington DC. [5] Ollison also worked in various Texas news organizations in San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. She started the NBC affiliate in Tyler, Texas. [6] She also ran the KDAF and KXAS channels in Dallas. [7]

In 1989 Ollison began an eight-month campaign for the presidency of the National Association of Black Journalists. [3] Ollison reportedly received nearly $10,000 from her employer at WTTG-TV for the campaign. [8] Ollison ended up losing the 1989 election. [3] Ollison was the regional director of the National Association of Black Journalists for four years. [9]

After her career in broadcasting, she converted a crack house in inner city Houston into the Beulah Land Community Church. [10] Ollison also served as an adjunct professor at Houston Baptist University, Houston Graduate School of Theology, and B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. [4] In addition, Ollison is a government contractor through her work with Ollison/Elsberg. She is a coach for broadcast personalities and a specialist in helping failing news departments. [11] [12] Ollison is the founder and spiritual leader of the Beulah Land Community Church. [10]

Notable works of journalism

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Ruth Allen Ollison worked for various news stations in Dallas, Houston, and Washington, D.C.

Ollison is well known for starting the news department at an NBC affiliate in Tyler, Texas. [13] Ollison is also helped enhance various failing news departments in Texas and Washington D.C. [1] Ollison has headed Emmy Award winning news departments in Texas and Washington D.C. and has a reputation as a turnaround specialist. [12] Ollison's work has inspired many women business leaders like Patricia Vice. [14] Ollison work can be seen on Women Who Lead show from HCCTV. [15]

Impact

In 1985, Ollison became the first African-American woman to become a News Director in a top ten marker due to her work at KDAF in Dallas, Texas. [1]

Ollison worked for 20 years in broadcast communication and helped to influence many struggling new departments throughout her career. [12] Ollison went on to become news director at KETK in Tyler, Texas and assistant news director for Fox Channel 5 in Washington D.C. [16] Ollison's worked as a turn-around specialist, someone who works with failing news departments, and through her work she helped improve many news departments over her career. [12] Ollison is a big proponent for diversity in the newsroom through actively seeking out African-American news casters. [17] Ollison sought to improve conditions in inner-city Houston by starting a ministry. [1]

Reactions

According to the National Association of Black Journalists Ollison "...has shown renowned strengths in news reporting, anchoring, and management." [13] The Atlanta Daily World praised Ollison for her work as a news executive in enhancing various news networks. [1] Ollison has also been praised for her contributions to the Beulah Land Community Church. [10]

Awards

Ollison's work in broadcast journalism earned her a spot in the National Association of Black Journalist's Hall of Fame. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "CNN's Suzanne Malveaux to Host NABJ Hall of Fame Ceremony Jan. 26 in Washington, D.C.-Industry Star-Powered Event to Honor Gwen Ifill, Pat Harvey, Johnathan Rodgers, Ruth Allen Ollison, Wallace Terry, and Michael Fields". 7 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "Black journalist group honors Houston pastor".
  3. 1 2 3 O'Donnell, Frank (February 1992). "Confessions of a news producer". Regardie's Magazine.
  4. 1 2 "Women at the Feet of Jesus Conference". 27 March 2014.
  5. ↑ Dawkins, Wayne (21 October 1997). Black Journalists: The NABJ Story. August Press LLC. ISBN   9780963572042 – via Google Books.
  6. 1 2 Carey, Isiah (4 January 2012). "Isiah Factor - The InsiteHOUSTON MINISTER INDUCTED INTO THE..."
  7. ↑ Mathews, Quin (August 1986). "Death of a Newscast". D Magazine.
  8. ↑ Warren, James (August 15, 1989). "The Price Of Politics". Chicago Tribune.
  9. ↑ Dawkins, Wayne (2003). Rugged Waters: Black Journalists Swim the Mainstream . August Press LLC. p.  1 – via Internet Archive. ruth allen ollison.
  10. 1 2 3 "Third Ward church has plan".
  11. ↑ "Ruth Allen Ollison in Houston Texas". government-contractors.insidegov.com.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Bios". ollisonelsbergassociates.com.
  13. 1 2 3 "National Association of Black Journalists". www.nabj.org.
  14. ↑ "Small Business Magazine Today – Texas Security Shredding Houston". texassecurityshredding.com.
  15. ↑ College, Houston Community. "HCCTV Shows - Houston Community College - HCC". www.hccs.edu.
  16. ↑ CARMODY, JOHN (16 September 1987). "THE TV COLUMN" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  17. ↑ Chad, Norman (23 June 1989). "LOCAL ANCHORS A SHUTOUT" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  18. ↑ Hunter, Jeannine (23 January 2012). "National Association of Black Journalists to analyze industry at the Newseum". The Washington Post .
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