Producing Impactful Stories at ABC News
At NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, attendees are given the chance to learn more about opportunities at ABC News. Nicole, coordinating producer for Good Morning America, attended her first journalism conference in 2022. She described the conference, saying, “It was an incredible experience to be in the same room as colleagues who I may have never met before, but we share a commonality and are now each other’s cheer squad.”
Nicole started with ABC News in June 2016 as a production associate at Good Morning America. In that role, she worked with the overnight team to prep elements to bring the show to life. That opportunity set the foundation and launched her trajectory into journalism. In October 2018, she transitioned into a morning anchor role where she worked side-by-side with anchor Robin Roberts. Nicole briefed Robin through the live two hour show and guaranteed that she was prepped properly for all segments. Then, in March 2022, Nicole became Robin’s coordinating producer.
As a coordinating producer, her responsibilities include developing compelling character-driven features and producing interviews. She is responsible for crafting creative ideas and executing pitches from Robin Roberts-led content on Good Morning America. Her day-to-day can look different any given day. From field producing with a crew to cutting pieces with an editor to producing during a live show to working behind the scenes on the red carpet.
ABC News has offered Nicole a unique position to learn the skills that it takes to be a well-versed journalist across multiple platforms. She explained, “There’s a 360 approach to journalism that has led me inside the Good Morning America control room, traveling from state to state, and venturing around the world to produce impact-driven stories.”
In her work, diversity, equity and inclusion are all at the center. As a Black gay woman, she innately looks for representation across the board in the work she produces. She explained, “My goal is to make sure everyone watches Good Morning America and sees a bit of themselves while they’re sipping on their first cup of coffee.”
To maintain this level of representation, Nicole believes it is essential for ABC News to be a part of journalism conferences, such as NLGJA, because the events help place diverse candidates right in front of the network’s eyes. One of her favorite parts of the conferences is the ability to connect in-person with colleagues whom she may not collaborate with all the time.
When asked if she had any advice for those looking to start a career in the industry, she answered, “My biggest piece of advice when navigating the newsroom or your career is to lead with affirmations and authenticity. When it comes to storytelling, your work is strongest when it’s genuine. The more you can affirm that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be professionally, the more ease that will come with the storytelling process and career building.”
Interested in making an impact with your career? Visit DisneyCareers.com to view open opportunities.
