ABC News names Kimberly Godwin first Black woman to lead a major broadcast news division

ABC News announced that Kimberly Godwin will be its next president, making her the first Black woman to lead a major broadcast news division.

Godwin will start her role in May as she is still working out the details to get out of her contract with NBC News, where she is currently the executive vice president of news, ABC News confirmed to The Hill.

Godwin’s transition to ABC News was flagged last week when she was still working on the final details of her new contract with Disney, ABC’s parent company.

“Throughout Kim’s career in global news organizations and local newsrooms, she has distinguished herself as a fierce advocate for excellence, collaboration, inclusion and the vital role of accurate and transparent news reporting,” Peter Rice, the chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content, said, according to Deadline.

Godwin is replacing the current president, James Goldston, who on Jan. 28 announced he was stepping down.

“I have immense respect and admiration for ABC News. As the most trusted brand in news, they are to be commended for the extraordinary work and dedication of the journalists, producers, executives and their teams across the organization,” Godwin said.