reporter and anchor, United States.
Davis began her journalism career at age 22, writing freelance articles for Jet magazine. She then wrote full time for Bay Area African-American newspapers, including the San Francisco Sun-Reporter and the Bay Area Independent. During this time, Davis covered just about every topic she could, but concentrated on the black social and political scene.
Davis’ broadcasting career began in radio, where she worked at various radio stations in the Bay area, including KSAN, KDIA and KNEW. She was hired by KNEW in 1964 to host a weekend radio show called The Belva Davis Show before she entered the television industry. In addition, Davis’s voice was used for KNEW’s public service announcements that were aired throughout the week. Through these announcements, she soon became known as “Miss KNEW.”
In 1966, she became the first African-American woman television reporter on the West Coast when she was hired as an anchor at KPIX-TV in San Francisco. At KPIX, Davis was instrumental in creating and hosting All Together Now, one of the first prime-time public affairs programs in the country to focus on ethnic communities. Davis co-anchored All Together Now, accompanied by a host from a different ethnic group who would change every week.
She joined KQED-TV in 1977, where she hosted A Closer Look and Evening Edition. She moved to KRON-TV in 1981 as a news anchor and urban affairs specialist, covering political issues, fiscal concerns and city planning issues. In 1981, Davis became co-host of the Sunday morning news and public affairs program, California This Week on KRON-TV, which she hosted for 18 years.
Davis has won six local Emmy Awards and has been recognized with awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Association of Black Journalists and numerous local organizations.
Davis has been a long-time member and official in the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). She is also active in the Bay area community, including serving on the Advisory Council of the International Museum of Women (slated to open in 2006).
Davis, 71, is married and the mother of a son, 51, and a daughter, 45.
Belva Davis is the 12th IWMF Lifetime Achievement Award winner from the United States, followed by Molly Ivins (2005) and Edith Lederer (2008). Previous winners include: Mary McGrory (2002), Colleen “Koky” Dishon (2001), Flora Lewis (2000), Peggy Peterman (1999), Bonnie Angelo (1998), Nancy Woodhull (1997), Meg Greenfield (1996), Helen Thomas (1995), Katharine Graham (1994), Nan Robertson (1993) and Barbara Walters (1992).
IWMF Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award Awardee, 2004