Washington, DC (February 26, 2012) – The National Association of Black Journalists salutes member, Belva Davis, a trailblazing Bay-area journalist who was the first black female TV journalist on the West Coast and has been in broadcast journalism for almost half a century. Davis announced her retirement last week as the host of a public affairs program, "This Week in Northern California," on KQED, a job she has held for 19 years. Her final broadcast is set for Nov. 9, according to a news release issued by the station.

Over her career, Davis has reported on some of the most prominent stories of her time, including the UC Berkeley Free Speech Movement, the birth of the Black Panthers, the Peoples Temple cult that ended in the mass suicides at Jonestown, the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the onset of the AIDS epidemic, and the terrorist attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania that first put Osama bin Laden on the FBI's Most Wanted List.

 "NABJ wishes Mrs. Davis an enjoyable retirement. She has given so much throughout her groundbreaking journalism career which made her the first black woman T.V. correspondent in the West,” said NABJ President Greg Lee, Jr. "We thank her for being a true role model who paved the way for generations of journalists whose careers would not have been possible without her courage and sacrifices.”

Davis will lead KQED's coverage of the 2012 local and national elections before departing. KQED plans to celebrate her career throughout the year, according to the station.

 "I have enjoyed a unique and long career here in the Bay Area and have been witness to some of the most explosive stories of the last half century. I'm truly thankful for the support of everyone at KQED and the loyalty of our audiences throughout my time on the air," said Davis. "I began my career with the coverage of the 1964 elections, and I'm thrilled that I will be devoting my last months on the air to the elections of 2012." 

Before arriving at KQED, Davis anchored news programs on Bay Area stations KPIX-TV and KRON-TV. She recently published her memoir, "Never in My Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman's Life in Journalism." Davis has received numerous awards for her journalism, including eight local Emmys. In 2008 NABJ inducted her into their Hall of Fame, the organizations highest honor.

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