Brantley to Lead Urban League
Long-time TV anchor leaves journalism to push the league into 21st century
WANE 15 and the Fort Wayne Urban League are proud to announce community advocate and multi-award-winning news anchor Terra Brantley has been selected as the new President and CEO of the Fort Wayne Urban League.
The Indiana Associated Press Hall of Fame honoree will leave the broadcast industry with 35 years under her belt, 28 of those serving as an anchor at WANE 15, the top-rated news station in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio. Beloved by viewers, she is currently the main weekday anchor for the market-leading newscasts at 5, 6 and 11PM. Terra is also one of the creative forces behind a weekly segment called "Positively Fort Wayne," in which she tells stories that inform and inspire viewers, much like she does with everyone she meets. Brantley previously hosted WANE 15's morning and noon newscasts for more than 20 years.
She will leave WANE 15 in June 2021 as Indiana’s longest serving African American news anchor and begin her position as Fort Wayne Urban League CEO in July.
"Terra is a household name that spells integrity, trust, leadership, and a wealth of care and concern for the entire community” said Kenneth Christmon, the Chairman of the Fort Wayne Urban League Board of Directors. “Having Terra lead this organization will focus our collective work, broaden the scope of service to many, and provide a sense of authentic excellence needed to partner with the great progress being made in Fort Wayne.
Terra is also the President and CEO of the Terra Brantley Foundation which awards scholarships to low-income women and minorities. “Her skills set make her the ideal person to lead the Fort Wayne Urban League into a new realm of growth,” said Christmon.
Brantley said, “The opportunity I am being given, will enable me to become more deeply entrenched in community service and development. I am honored to lead the Fort Wayne Urban League under the guidance of a fantastic board of community advocates. Together, we will reintegrate the local league back into the ebb and flow of Northeast Indiana and promote socio-economic growth and a diverse cultural renaissance to meet the needs of our evolving urban landscape.”
Joe Jordan, President and CEO of the Fort Wayne Boys and Girls Clubs said: "I am so pleased to have Terra Brantley at the helm of the Fort Wayne Urban League. She is a trusted face in our community and has demonstrated her passion and love for our community. I am confident that Terra will be a remarkable leader amid these challenging times in our community and country. She will be a champion of engagement, unity and healing."
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Terra graduated from Bedford High School in 1982 as the class commencement speaker. As a McGraw-Hill scholarship winner, she graduated from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, earning a Bachelor of Science in Communications. In 2014 she earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Institute of Technology.
(This story was taken from a press release provided by the Urban League. Ink Spot will look to feature Brantley in a future edition.)