Beloved Alabama broadcaster and trailblazer Mel Showers has passed away at the age of 78. Showers, who worked at WKRG-TV for 50 years, was one of the first Black journalists on television in Mobile when he began reporting in 1974. He went on to become an evening news anchor, breaking barriers and winning over the hearts of viewers on the Gulf Coast.
Showers covered important stories such as racial inequity in the community, Hurricane Frederic, and the tragic lynching of teenager Michael Donald by the Ku Klux Klan. Despite facing hate mail and criticism early in his career, Showers persevered with a smile and eventually earned the respect and admiration of the viewing public.
Former colleagues and community leaders praised Showers for his dedication to journalism and his commitment to honesty and integrity in reporting. Rep. Barbara Drummond described him as an inspiration to young journalists and people of color, showing them that they could achieve success no matter their background.
Showers’ impact on the industry and the community was significant, with his colleagues remembering him as a talented newsman who always told the story accurately and fairly. His legacy as a pioneering journalist and a role model for aspiring reporters will continue to inspire generations to come.
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