by Shawn Nowlin
It is rare to encounter individuals who have accomplished a lot in life, but epitomize humility, who are the consummate professional, but know how to let loose and have fun, who are known by thousands, but never too big to have a conversation with members of their community.
Brittny McGraw is such a person. A broadcast veteran in the truest sense, McGraw is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Hired at WSLS in 2017, Roanoke has been home to the North Carolina native for the last six years. A beloved anchor and reporter, McGraw’s personality and authenticity quickly won over the hearts of many.
As part of her commitment to the Special Olympics, McGraw formed a station Polar Plunge team to help raise money for the organization. Following the journey of families becoming homeowners through Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley also ranks high among her favorite WSLS memories.
The recipient of many awards, her story on integrating Floyd garnered her an Emmy nomination.
McGraw’s presence in the community went far beyond her work hours. She regularly ran into countless residents all over the Star City, from the grocery store to the Greenways.
“Anytime I saw Brittny in public, she always had a smile on her face. People often recognized her in public and she never turned down an opportunity to take a picture or have a conversation,” Toni Williams said. “Simply put, she is one of the nicest professionals I’ve ever met.”
As a third-grader, McGraw knew what she wanted to do in life – graduate from the University of North Carolina with a journalism degree and become a successful reporter. For the last two decades, the Tar Heel alum has been able to live out her dream.
Prior to Roanoke, she worked at WCTI-TV in New Bern, N.C., WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, PA, and WHIO-TV in Dayton, OH. Friday, Sept. 8, was McGraw’s last day at WSLS. In her farewell episode, an emotional McGraw said, “I always operate with a tremendous amount of gratitude, and I have so many ‘Thank Yous’ to share, there’s not enough room! Thank you for allowing a third-grade girl from Charlotte to dream big and do what she always wanted to do, and to do it with excellence.”
McGraw is heading to the Office of Communications at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton to serve as their News Chief. NASA’s oldest field center, Langley’s history includes pioneers Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan, the mathematicians featured in the critically acclaimed film ‘Hidden Figures’.
Many have congratulated McGraw on her next life chapter. I have been fortunate to cultivate a genuine friendship with Brittny. Anyone who knows her would attest that she is an absolute joy to hang with or talk to. Because of who she is, not to mention the second-to-none work ethic that she possesses, I truly believe that there isn’t anything Brittny can’t accomplish.
Asked what she would like to specifically say to the readers and supporters of the Roanoke Tribune, McGraw responded, “I never took for granted the relationships formed and memories made with the Star City’s African-American newspaper. I am forever appreciative of everyone who played a part in my Roanoke journey.”
