Gayle King isn’t leaving the news business anytime soon — or maybe ever.
Byron Allen honored King with the Journalist Icon Award at TheGrio gala in Washington DC on Saturday, and the busy presenter told him she wanted to work even harder.
Said King – who once received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism – at the National Museum of African American History and Culture: “I stand before you at 68. Walter Cronkite had to retire from CBS at 65… He had no choice.
She added: “I’m not even thinking about retiring. Not even somehow! I am looking for more work.
King recently announced that she’s hosting a new show on CNN with Charles Barkley in addition to juggling a SiriusXM radio show and, of course, hosting “CBS This Morning.” (We think you’ve got enough on your plate, Gayle!)
King put on quite the opening act before receiving his award: Diana Ross performed a mini-concert that included her hits “Upside Down,” “I’m Coming Out,” “The Boss” and “Stop! In the name of love.”
Allen also showcased the talent of Grio and reporters, including “White House Queen” April Ryan, who has covered five presidents, Touré, Marc Lamont Hill, Natasha Alford and former “The Real Housewives of New York City” Eboni K. Williams.
Allen told King when she finally followed the other reporters, “I just wanted to show you what you birthed… You opened the door…. Everyone on this stage owes you a huge debt of gratitude.
Allen also pointed out how King “lifted CBS mornings.” “They weren’t working well. The show was dying in the morning. You brought it to life and now CNN,” which is also struggling, he said.
King explained how she was expected at the CBS White House Correspondents’ Dinner afterparty and joked, “Note to self. Never follow Byron Allen or Diana Ross because I walked in and said, ‘Byron, I really have to go!’ »
Governor Wes Moore, Nikole Hannah Jones, Bevy Smith, Melba Wilson, motivational speaker Hope Giselle, CNN’s Sara Sidner, Areva Martin, “GMA3″ executive producer Cat McKenzie, attorney Ben Crump and ” Sherri” Jawn Murray were also there.
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