iHeartMedia’s Black Information Network has announced three new appointments to its team.
Former BET News anchor Ed Gordon will join BIN as an anchor and correspondent. Gordon is best known for his two stints at BET from 1988-1996 and again from 2000-2004. He has also worked at CBS, NBC, NPR and has hosted other syndicated and cable programs.
Chris Thompson joins the network as Director of Network Operations. Thompson most recently served as VP/Radio Operations for Radio One’s Reach Media and was also Executive Director of Network Operations at Buckley Radio’s WOR Radio Network.
iHeartMedia Chicago Region Vice President of Communications Angela Ingram will take on additional duties as BIN’s Director of Local Advocacy and Engagement. Ingram will work with affiliate stations to increase their local advocacy efforts and engagement with community leaders and organizations. She has been with the company’s Chicago stations since 1995 after earlier stints in Charlotte and Louisville.
BIN: Black Information Network, the 24/7 comprehensive national audio news service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective, announced today that three well-respected media veterans have joined the network, effective immediately. Emmy Award-winning journalist Ed Gordon will serve as an on-air anchor and correspondent, noted radio veteran Chris Thompson has been named Director of Network Operations and long-time iHeartMedia Chicago communications executive Angela Ingram will become Director of Local Advocacy and Engagement.
BIN is distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices, as well as on local AM/FM broadcast radio stations across the Atlanta, Augusta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus – GA, Columbus – OH, Dayton – OH, Detroit, Greenville, Macon, Miami, Minneapolis, Montgomery – AL, Nashville, New Orleans, New York City, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Riverside, San Francisco, St. Louis, Seattle and Washington, D.C. markets.
In addition to his new role as an on-air anchor, Gordon will produce special programming leading up to the 2020 Presidential election and will provide exclusive reports covering politics, Black culture and more. He is the recipient of a NAACP Image Award and the Journalist of the Year Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. Gordon’s first book, the best-selling “Conversations in Black,” was released in 2020 and features interviews with over 40 leaders and influencers for a “virtual” conversation about the state of Black America and new narratives about the continuing fight for justice and equality.
“There’s no question that this is the most important election in decades, especially for Black America, and we’re thrilled to have Ed Gordon leading our coverage of this upcoming Presidential race,” said Tanita Myers, Director of News Operations for BIN: Black Information Network. “Whether it’s talking with Presidents or just talking about today’s biggest stories, Ed’s well-known hard-hitting, direct and no nonsense style will be right at home at BIN: Black Information Network and further establishes our role as a trusted source for Black Americans nationwide.”
“I am elated to join what I believe will become an important and powerful network,” said Gordon. “BIN will be a vehicle that allows facts, conversations and opinions that have for too long been silenced or minimized to have a high-profile platform to speak truth to power as well as give people who are seeking more diverse narratives a new outlet.”
As BIN’s new Director of Network Operations, Thompson brings over 20 years of radio experience to the BIN team in the areas of Broadcast Operations, Programming, Sales, Affiliate Relations and Talent Management. He is the former Vice President of Radio Operations for Reach Media, has served as the Executive Director of Network Operations for Connecticut-based Buckley Radio and successfully managed syndication and affiliate clearances for the 15 nationally syndicated weekday and weekend Talk Radio programs under the WOR Radio Network brand and its 500-plus unique affiliations. In his new role, Thompson will report directly to Tony Coles, President of BIN: Black Information Network.
In addition to her new role as the Director of Local Advocacy and Engagement for BIN, Ingram will continue to serve as Senior Vice President of Communications for the Chicago Region of iHeartMedia Markets Group, where she leads a number of advocacy initiatives, working with more than 50 civic and business leaders to support education, voter registration, health awareness, volunteerism, women’s issues and other causes. Her additional responsibilities at BIN will include working with affiliate stations to increase their local advocacy efforts and engagement with community leaders and organizations. Ingram joined the Chicago station group as Director of Marketing in 1995 after holding marketing and promotions positions for the company’s stations in Louisville, Kentucky and Charlotte. She also will report to Coles.
“One of our goals is to attract the best leadership and talent to the Black Information Network,” said Coles. “As we continue to expand, this team is vital to providing our affiliates and partners with best-in-class service and support. I am thrilled to have Chris leading these efforts as our Director of Network Operations and Angela spearheading integral advocacy initiatives as Director of Local Advocacy and Engagement.”
