Broadcast legend shares groundbreaking story

By Michelle Metzger

In a powerful and deeply personal presentation at CC Young this week, legendary broadcaster Jocelyn Dorsey captivated the audience with stories from her remarkable life and pioneering career. With warmth, humor, and wisdom, the former WSB-TV (ABC Atlanta) anchor — known for breaking racial and gender barriers in Southern television — spoke candidly about her journey from a curious college student in Cincinnati to becoming one of the most influential figures in American journalism.

 Dorsey, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, shared how her early life was shaped by both family legacy and systemic barriers. Her father, a brilliant man with an aeronautical engineering degree from The Ohio State University, had been denied the opportunity to study at the University of Texas because the institution had not yet racially integrated. This legacy of resilience and excellence laid the foundation for Dorsey’s own path.

She began her college education studying aeronautical engineering, following in her father’s footsteps. However, a spontaneous decision to visit a roommate’s journalism class changed everything. “It just clicked,” she said, describing how something stirred within her that day. She soon changed majors and never looked back.

 After only eight months of reporting at a station in Cincinnati, Dorsey was recruited in 1973 to join WSB-TV in Atlanta, making history as the first Black female news anchor in the South. At the time, this was an almost unthinkable milestone, yet it became a turning point not just for Dorsey, but for Southern media at large.

 She recalled how her hiring was initially considered controversial by some within the station. When the general manager sought approval from station owner Ann Cox Chambers — media heiress and political powerhouse — Chambers’ response was both direct and decisive: “What are you taking so long for?” It was a bold endorsement that not only changed Dorsey’s life but elevated the standards for newsroom diversity across the region.

 But her journey wasn’t without resistance. In 1983, a newly appointed general manager tried to fire her. Undeterred, Dorsey shared her concern with a close friend — none other than Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mrs. King quietly stepped in, speaking with her own close friend Ann Cox Chambers. The result? The general manager who tried to dismiss Dorsey was instead removed, and Dorsey returned to the station not just as an anchor but as Director of Editorials — a position where she could shape the station’s voice and serve the community even more directly.

 Dorsey spoke about her continued commitment to social impact, including leading a grassroots effort to send 13 tractor trailers full of relief supplies to Houston following Hurricane Harvey. Her Texas ties run deep, even beyond family history.

 She also recounted one of the most harrowing and impactful stories of her career: the case of a nine-year-old special needs girl whose trafficker received only a misdemeanor charge. Outraged, Dorsey used her platform and connections to advocate for tougher legislation. Her efforts — working with lawmakers and community leaders — helped ensure that the exploitation of minors in such cases would be prosecuted as felonies in the future.

 If her advocacy work weren’t impressive enough, she also shared details of a 21-day, cross-continent bike ride she completed from Fairbanks, Alaska to Key West, Florida. The more than 5,000 mile ride raised $250,000 for charity — a feat that left the audience inspired and amazed.

 Now in the mentoring chapter of her life, Dorsey devotes time to guiding young journalists, ensuring the next generation enters the field with integrity, resilience and purpose. She’s also an advocate for senior services, particularly for Alzheimer’s support, a cause close to her heart after walking alongside her father through his own battle with the disease.

 Dorsey’s talk wasn’t just a glimpse into history — it was a masterclass in perseverance, purpose and the power of one voice to change the world. As she left the stage to a standing ovation, the audience at CC Young was left with a renewed sense of hope, and a deep appreciation for a woman who never let closed doors stop her from opening new ones for others.