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Local news anchor Amanda Davis’ impact was felt far beyond metro Atlanta, where she warmly served court among the region’s viewers for nearly 30 years. On Tuesday, many of her colleagues, many of them whom Davis paved the way for, paid tribute to the CBS 46 broadcaster by donning a red outfit.
Read: Amanda Davis hospitalized after massive stroke
Davis, 62, was at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport last week when she suffered a spontaneous massive stroke while waiting for a flight to go to San Antonio.
Davis was about to board a flight to attend the funeral of her stepfather in San Antonio, according to news accounts.
On social media, especially Twitter, newswomen showed up to work in red to call attention to stroke awareness — and Davis’ legacy.
“Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S. About 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year. #RedForAmanda #StrokeAwareness,” one Twitter user posted.
Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S. About 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year. #RedForAmanda #StrokeAwareness pic.twitter.com/9QnIkn5H45
— Candace S. Coleman (@candacescoleman) January 2, 2018
Wearing #RedforAmanda and #StrokeAwareness in honor of late Atlanta news anchor, Amanda Davis.
*Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
*64% of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms. pic.twitter.com/TgLSaq0xq0
— Jazmin Bailey (@JazminMBailey) January 2, 2018
According to CBS46, Davis has been at WAGA-TV for 26 years. “She has received numerous honors and awards during her career, including: RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award, ten Southeast Regional Emmy Awards, Georgia Association of Broadcasters Gabby Award and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists Pioneer of the Year Award.”
Today is public viewing for @AmandaCBS46 @Cityofatlanta news anchor, who died suddenly of a stroke
Nationwide, black female journalists wearing #RedforAmanda❤&raising #StrokeAwareness
Know @American_Heart signs
Face drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulty
Time to call 911 pic.twitter.com/SrjcFJHpYl— Beairshelle Edmé (@BeairshelleWNCN) January 2, 2018
A public viewing is set for Tuesday while a funeral will be Wednesday in Cascade.
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CBS 46 news anchor Sharon Reed has been in Atlanta about two years now, and she’s learning that the South is, well, the South. Reed, who spent time at a Cleveland news station before coming to Georgia, was understandably riled up Tuesday night during election coverage.
She doesn’t have a dog in the fight over whether the ATL will be led by conservative Mary Norwood or Democrat Keisha Lance-Bottoms, but a viewer’s email to her, calling her out of her name, set her off.
The viewer, Kathy Rae, who Reed insisted by identified, wrote: “You need to be fired for the race baiting comment you made tonight … it’s O.K. for blacks to discuss certain subjects but not white.”
Then things really went off the rails, when Rae wrote: “Really?? You are what I call a N***r not a black person. You are a racist N***r. You are what’s wrong with the world.”
Understandably taken aback, Reed replied “Number 1, you mischaracterized what I said … I didn’t say that white people couldn’t talk about race, but contrary, we think that race is an authentic discussion to have. It’s one we’re having tonight because it’s one that you are having at home and it’s one that has clearly entered the Atlanta mayor’s race.”
News anchor Sharon Reed responds on air to a viewer who calls her the N-word. This Atlanta Mayoral race has people fiesty tonight. pic.twitter.com/Vgri3oXnGN
— Billy Michael Honor (@BillyMHonor) December 6, 2017
The incident quickly livened up a rainy Tuesday night around the city and was posted on Reddit within hours of the exchange.
Reed said that the TV station wanted to “keep it real,” but she ended by saying that, “I get it: On December 5, 2017, you think it’s OK to call this journalist a nigger. I don’t, but I could clap back and say a few things to you, but I won’t. I’ll let your words spread for themselves — and that’ll be the last word.”
Reed kept her word and didn’t bring the matter up for the remainder of the newscast, but she clearly wasn’t over it. On Facebook page, she put the comment up as her header, showing the world that hey, she’s over it, but don’t come for her. Ever. Again.
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Donald Glover’s runaway hit “Atlanta” not just introduced us to diverse characters who riffed on the nuances of the city, but it also introduced millions of people to the Atlanta brand.
But after just one season, the show disappeared from the FX schedule. Glover has gone on to produce a critically acclaimed album and gotten a juicy part in the “Star Wars” franchise as a younger Lando Calrissian.
On Friday, the official Twitter account for the show tweeted “3.1,” which we all have taken to mean that on March 1, 2018, the show will return.
The date is not far off from when those connected with the show expected it to return. Co-star Lakeith Stanfield reportedly said that the second seasonwill premiere in February on FX, according to Pitchfork.
It’s not like the show’s hiatus didn’t serve the cast members well.
The show’s other actors have become hot among movie producers, with Lakeith Stanfield stealing some major shine in “Get Out” and “Death Note,” and playing alongside Brian Tyree Henry in “Crown Heights.”
Meanwhile, Zazie Beetz will get some major screen time in “Deadpool” sequel with more on tap.
Glover, for his part, has felt like the long hiatus has been healthy for fans of the hit show.
“I’m not the type of person to rush anything,” he told Fader magazine last fall. “I feel like if you rush it, you’ll start to get something you don’t want and then you start to question why you even liked it. I’m not gonna make anything until it’s ready. But to be completely honest, it’s almost ready. I’m pretty happy with a lot of the things, and I think it’s better than the first season.”
Watch one of Atlanta FX season 1’s funniest moments
Well, we’ll believe it when we see it. And hopefully soon.
