A national news anchor and a vice president for a global provider of consumer information will address Jackson State University graduates during commencement exercises scheduled May 2-3.
ABC News Anchor and Chief National Correspondent Byron Pitts will address undergraduates during the ceremony on Saturday, May 3.
Pitts was named ABC news anchor and chief national correspondent in April 2013. He covers national news stories and in-depth features for the network, reporting for all broadcasts and platforms including “Good Morning America,” “World News with Diane Sawyer,” “Nightline,” “This Week” and “20/20.” Pitts also reports for all ABC News digital properties, including ABCNews.com.
Pitts is a multiple Emmy award-winning journalist known for his thoughtful storytelling, on-the-ground reporting and in-depth interviews. A news veteran with over 20 years of experience, Pitts has traveled around the world to cover some of the biggest news stories of our time from the Florida presidential recount to the tsunami in Indonesia and the refugee crisis in Kosovo. Less than 24 hours at ABC News, Pitts participated in live special coverage of the Boston marathon bombing investigation, including the daylong manhunt for the Tsarnaev brothers that virtually shut down the city.
Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, senior vice president of U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement for Nielsen, will give the commencement address at the graduate ceremony on Friday, May 2. Pearson-McNeil is responsible for increasing the company’s brand awareness among African-American, Asian-American and Hispanic non-profit organizations, leaders and consumers – elevating their understanding of Nielsen’s measurement services to assist in improving the overall probability of their inclusion in Nielsen’s panels, studies and surveys.
She oversees the company’s philanthropic relationships and sponsorships with multicultural organizations across the U.S. She also oversees the
company’s multicultural advertising and communications strategies, including public relations, media relations and social media.
Pearson-McNeil has been recognized with numerous national, regional and local honors and has been featured in many publications. Purdue University named her a “Distinguished Alumna” in 2012; she was featured in Essence Magazine as a career advice expert; NBC’s The Grio.com included her in its “2012 Class of 100 Americans Making History Today;” and Target Market News named her “Executive of the Year.” The Chicago Tribune also profiled her in its weekly “Remarkable Person” feature of power players in the Chicago area. She is also a frequent contributor to Upscale Magazine and writes a guest column about consumer and career-related topics.
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