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Michael J. Feeney in His Own Words: Celebrating The Career of WNBC-TV News Anchor Sue Simmons

VIDEO: What's The 411TV Pays Tribute to the Life of Michael J. Feeney

What's The 411TV pays tribute to the life of journalist Michael J. Feeney with this video when he celebrated the career of the legendary veteran news anchor Sue Simmons of WNBC-TV at an event sponsored by Essence magazine, the New York Association of Black Journalists, the Black Employees at Time Inc.

Michael Feeney worked for the New York Daily News and was president of the New York Association of Black Journalists, where he helped young aspiring journalists enter the news business including those in NYABJ's high school journalism program. Michael Feeney had landed a new job at CNN just prior to his death. 

Michael Feeney passed away on January 31, 2016, at the age of 32 years. He will be remembered as an exceptional journalist with tremendous promise and an outstanding leader

What's The 411 TV Releases Its List of 25 Most Interesting People of 2012

What's The 411TV's List of 25 Most Interesting People of 2012 was developed from interviews conducted by What's The 411TV correspondents during 2012

BROOKLYN, NY; December 20, 2012 - What's The 411, an entertainment and lifestyle television show, released today its list of 25 Most Interesting People of 2012.

What's The 411's 25 Most Interesting People of 2012 was developed from interviews conducted by What's The 411 reporters from January 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012. The list consists of celebrated personalities to ordinary people doing extraordinary things to the American people rallying for justice in the case of Trayvon Martin. Many people are local to the New York City metro area, while others are global figures.

"Throughout the years, What's The 411 has interviewed so many interesting people," said Ruth J. Morrison, CEO and Founder, Whats The 411 Networks. "This year, we decided to create our list of 25 Most Interesting People. It wasn't easy, but the reporters and producers narrowed What's The 411's Most Interesting People of 2012 to a list of 25. Some are known to almost everyone and some will be names heard for the first time."

"After developing and releasing our list of 25 Most interesting People of 2012, we learned that the Brooklyn Nets fired head coach Avery Johnson. Coach Johnson's firing was shocking and What's The 411 still stands by its decision to include Coach Johnson on its list. In our interview, we saw excitement, conviction, a warrior's attitude, and a commitment to bringing a competitive basketball team to Brooklyn," Ms. Morrison added.

The people making up What's The 411's 25 Most Interesting People of 2012 fall into the categories of entrepreneurs; kids doing great things; sports; fashion and beauty; health; non-profits; media and public relations; and even a former mob wife. The list also includes the winners of What's The 411's Jay Z Concert Ticket Giveaway, a couple so engaging they should have their own reality TV show.

Below is a list of What's The 411's 25 Most Interesting People of 2012 with hotlinks to their respective video interviews:

1. Marlena Ortiz - a 28-year-old breast cancer survivor who created the non-profit Beating Cancer in Heels to help women keep their self-esteem while undergoing cancer treatment
2. Trayvon Martin Vigil in Union Square, New York City - representing Americans standing up against racism
3. Hal Jackson (Posthumously) - legendary radio pioneer who broke many color barriers in radio broadcasting. Hal Jackson died on May 23, 2012 at age 96.
4. Danny Jacobs - a boxer who survived cancer and is now back in the boxing ring with two wins in two months
5. Magic Johnson - because he's Magic
6. David Stern - NBA Commissioner who bucked the prevailing sentiment at the time and developed a salary system which created many young black millionaires, a rising tide floats all boats
7. Sue Simmons - An iconic newswoman; anchor of WNBC-TV News for 32 years
8. Avery Johnson - the goody two-shoes head coach of the Brooklyn Nets; who knew he had so much fight
9. Billie Jean King - an iconic tennis champion and advocate for gender equality
10. Helen Shelton - an African-American woman who rose to executive ranks within a global public relations agency by providing value to her clients
11. Allan Houston - Assistant General Manager, New York Knicks and a former NBA player now leading the way advocating and demonstrating the importance of fathers through hisFather Knows Best initiative
12. Beauty/Fashion Trifecta: Vera Moore, Sofia Davis and Thomas Lavone: - Vera Moore is a beauty entrepreneur of 34 years in the competitive cosmetic business and now making a huge breakthrough with national distribution through Walgreen's; Sofia Davis, Editor, Fashion Avenue News Magazine; and Thomas Lavonne, an award winning New Jersey based fashion designer and entrepreneur with a celebrity following; known for his exceptional talent in Ready To Wear gowns, suits and fine apparel
13. Leslie Allen - a retired professional tennis player and keeper of the legacy of tennis champion Arthur Ashe through the Arthur Ashe Foundation
14. Alia Jones-Harvey - a Broadway theatre producer putting a new spin on classic Broadway theatre productions, thus creating diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity on Broadway
15. Dr. Devra Davis - an environmental health scientist ringing the cell phone environmental alarm bell16. Cheryl Wills - author and 20 years of making a difference in TV news in New York City
17. Constance CR White - a multi-dimensional fashionista running a magazine for Black women (no disrespect to Susan Taylor)
18. Dionne Williams - a fashion entrepreneur providing a professional platform for emerging fashion designers during New York Fashion Week
19. Alfred Edmond Jr. and Windsor Neckwear - creators of the Alfred Edmond Jr. Bow Tie Collection and other men's accessories; helping men everywhere to stand out while fitting in
20. Terrie Williams - CEO and Founder, The Terrie Williams Agency; author; mental health advocate; and mentor; for her honesty about depression and for mentoring young men
21. Leslie Chang, Scholarship Winner of Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health's Health Science Academy and Winners of Arthur Ashe Kids Day Essay and Art Contest - these kids are definitely going places
22. Pamela Quinzi - a fabulously sensational shoe designer with savvy marketing skills
23. Saffiyah Rodgers and Valerie Morrison - owners of My Girlfriend's Closet - making a business out of a childhood passion
24. Kim Benson and Qadir Muhammad - winners of What's The 411's Jay-Z Concert Ticket Contest - a comedic, smart and sassy couple; they should have their own reality TV show
25. Toni Marie Ricci - survived being married to the mob and now an author and mentor to other women

About What's The 411TV

Based in Brooklyn, New York, What's The 411TV is a division of What's The 411 Networks, a media/news and information company connecting sophisticated multi-cultural audiences through its distribution platforms of television, online, mobile, and social media.

What's The 411TV's celebrity portfolio consists of interviews with Magic Johnson, Beyonce, Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson and many, many more.

What's The 411 Networks has the largest video celebrity interview portfolio of any Brooklyn-based independent media company.

Iconic News Woman Sue Simmons Reflects on Her Career at NYABJ Event

VIDEO: The New York Association of Black Journalists, Essence, and the Black Employees at Time held a reception to celebrate the career of the legendary WNBC-TV news anchor, Sue Simmons

Former WNBC-TV news anchor, Sue Simmons, gave What's The 411 correspondent, Andrew Rosario, a wide-ranging interview about her career in broadcasting. Off camera, we learned that as Ms. Simmons neared 30-years-old, she realized that secretarial work would not provide her the lifestyle that she was looking for or the personal fulfillment. Consequently, she decided to go to broadcast training school.

As the need to have more African-Americans in the newsroom presented itself, Ms. Simmons was prepared. Although she was prepared from broadcast training school, it was a bit frightening to have a job in broadcasting because she had no work experience in journalism.

She worked two years in New Haven, Connecticut as a consumer reporter and then became an anchor in Baltimore.

In 1980, Ms. Simmons came to New York City to get the big job as an anchor in the number one market. In taking this job, she was thankful that she was born and raised in New York City. However, it was a double-edged sword. She was nervous because it was her home and because she was home, it helped to minimize her nervousness. Surprisingly, it took her five years to get over her nervousness.

There were a few Black women reporters at WNBC-TV at the time, but none had the primary anchor position. Many thought that Ms. Simmons wouldn't last and that because she was so full of fun that she would crash and burn.

Ms. Simmons retired from her job 32 years later, so much for crashing and burning.

Reflecting on her time at WNBC-TV, Lena Horne, an African-American Award–winning jazz and pop music singer, dancer, actress, and civil rights activist, was her best interview because she admired Ms. Horne's courage for breaking through racial barriers. Ms. Simmons said that she was so thrilled about the interview, she could hardly think straight.

Does she miss her job?

"I tell you the truth, I don't miss a lot about the day-to-day, said Ms. Simmons. "But, I'm like a former athlete, I miss the clubhouse, you know I miss the mixing it up with my co-workers, and dinner and laughing, that's what I miss."

Ms. Simmons is a huge sports fan. It is one of the reasons she got into broadcasting. She credits her father with making her sports fan. There was one television in the house and since her father watched sports, she joined him.

Now that she has retired will there be a book in her future?

"I have not had the endurance or courage to start that yet," said Ms. Simmons.

Although Ms. Simmons is not starting her book quite yet, she is consciously taking it one day at a time; and has made time to appear on Law and Order, Wendy Williams, and Joy Behar.

"If an inviting job comes along, I'll take it, but I am in no hurry. I've worked for 40 years."

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