The Last Word
Carolyn Bailey Lewis

Carolyn Bailey Lewis is a native West Virginian who, in 1971, became the first Black woman to graduate from the WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism. Shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree, she took a position as TV writer and continuity chief at WWVU-TV, and thus began a nearly 40-year career in public broadcasting. She later earned a master’s degree in journalism from WVU in 1987 and a doctorate from Ohio University in 2007.

Under Lewis’s leadership, West Virginia Public Broadcasting won several awards for its innovative programming, and the station launched the landmark documentary series, “West Virginia: A Film History.” From 1997 until her retirement in 2011, Lewis served as the director and manager of the WOUB Center for Public Media at Ohio University, where she led the launch of its multimedia operations, the station’s digital conversion and distance learning opportunities. In 2016, Lewis co-founded the Dr. Carolyn Foster Bailey Lewis Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to financially improving the lives of people with unexpected acute and chronic health challenges. In 2021, Lewis authored the book “Love and Loss: The Storied Nature of Nursing Home Care” and created a line of greeting cards, LifeDay Greeting Cards, with her daughter Caryn Bailey. She currently resides in Athens, Ohio, where she serves on several community organizations and boards.

I know you grew up in Bluefield and you’re a fellow West Virginian. How did you discover that you wanted to study journalism at WVU? 

I had a typing course with a teacher named Deloris French, and I loved it. And during that time, she asked me if I would team up with another student to write a monthly column for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph on happenings around the high school. Then, she also asked me if I would do the school feature for a local radio station each month. That sort of sparked my interest in journalism. I always thought I wanted to be a nurse, but I’ve always watched a lot of news. When I saw Carole Simpson [the first Black woman to anchor a major network – NBC News], I said, “if she can do that, maybe I can too.” 

You spent nearly 40 years in public broadcasting, so I'd like to ask a few questions about that time. What is your proudest accomplishment? 

My proudest accomplishment was being the first Black woman in the country to be named general manager of a PBS station. I didn’t realize it when I was named, but I started to go to general manager sessions at the PBS national meetings and regional meetings, and I was it. I was the only Black woman in the room, and that's how I knew. I think there's one other thing too – getting to know Mister Rogers. He was a true friend, and he was sitting there when I was named general manager. Those two things made my time with PBS very special. 

And what would you say was your biggest challenge?   

I think always budget – PBS stations have to have community support in order to survive. We do get some federal funding and state funding, but it was always that challenge of budget and equipment and people and all those things combined that make it very challenging. But one of the best things about public broadcasting was the people.

 

And what would you say was your most memorable moment?

There are so many, but I think when I was named general manager and Mister Rogers was sitting right beside me. He was going to be the guest speaker for that event, and it was our station's 25th anniversary. All of that combined with the station's anniversary, me being named general manager that night and Mister Rogers sitting there at the table beside me – I don't know what else could top that.

What inspired you to go back to school and pursue a Ph.D. after more than 20 years in the news industry? 

Well, I was asking myself that same question just about every day! [laughs] I had a good friend, Dr. Penny Fagg. She lived in Morgantown, and I watched her go through the process of earning her Ed.D., and she inspired me. When I got to Ohio University, tuition was free so I thought I might as well do it while I had the opportunity, even though I took seven years to complete the degree in communication studies. But I was inspired by her – she was a special person. 

 

You have had an incredible career with several titles – journalist, author, teacher, entrepreneur and many firsts – first African American woman to graduate from the WVU Journalism School, first African-American woman to manage a public TV station in the United States, first woman and African-American to lead the Ohio University Center for Public Media. And you still sit on several boards and committees. What drives you? And has that changed over the years? 

That's a great question. I don't think anyone has ever asked me that. Well, I love to be involved and I love to serve. So, most of the organizations that I'm involved with – at the Red Cross, the Athens City Commission on Disabilities, the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities and of course I’m on the Alumni board at OU – it is all about service and giving back. I watched Mama Thelma [Lewis was raised by her great aunt, Thelma Stone] do that – she catered anything. She was involved in the church, and she would cater dinners and charge nothing. I saw her help people and give to so many good causes. It's all about giving back and paying it forward, and I truly believe that to whom much is given, much is required. I love organizing, I love writing, I love speaking and I mentor students. So, it's just about giving back, and while I've been given the talents, I will use them, so I don't lose them.