Juana Summers, NPR’s veteran reporter, has been named the new host of its flagship afternoon news program All Things Considered.
Summers is now a reporter covering politics, justice, and race for the network. She will take over the hosting role left by Audie Cornish who left NPR in January to join CNN.
Summers, who is Black, stated in an interview that she wants to expand All Things Considered’s reach to more diverse audiences. Summers aims to reach people whose stories aren’t often covered in media and to empower them to tell their stories live on air. She said that she also hopes to work more digitally to reach younger audiences.
Summers stated, “One of my favorite things is that I get to sit down in that seat every day and be a standin for a smart and curious listener who cares deeply regarding issues around the world.”
Summers stated that she knew she wanted a career as a reporter from high school. She started writing for her school newspaper, Kansas City, Mo. She started her career in public radio in Columbia, Mo. at KBIA. She has been covering politics for outlets such as CNN, Politico, and The Associated Press since 2010. Summers was a reporter for NPR from 2014-15, and she returned in 2019.
She said, “I was so excited to return to NPR as I believe in the public-service mission that is at heart of everything we do.” “Serving the public requires incredible responsibility.
Sarah Gilbert, NPR’s vice president for news magazines, said that “She is an excellent journalist with an enviable record.” “She is a natural leader, connects with people in ways that make them feel heard, and has an instinct for creative storytelling that’s second to none.
Summers will be joining All Things Considered cohosts Ailsa Chan, Mary Louise Kelly and Ari Shapiro. This is a time when questions around diversity, equity, and retention are generating intense debate inside NPR’s newsroom as well as in the public.
Particularly, female hosts of color have raised concerns about pay disparities and institutional support for the stories they want to tell.
In the span of several months, Cornish, Lulu GarciaNavarro, and Noel King aEUR” all women of color aEUR” left the network. With the exception of King they cited new opportunities and frustrations with their network.
Since then, the network has employed a diverse group of hosts, including A MartAnez and Leila Fadel, Ayesha Raccoe, and now Summers.
Summers stated that she hopes to increase NPR’s audience by sharing the perspectives of those whose views may not be heard on air. She cited her reporting on Gen-Z Republicans struggling with their future, patriotism in Black Americans, and the spotlight that the Biden/Harris administration placed on blended families.
Summers stated, “It is important for us all to think really critically about how to create space and opportunities for women and peoples of color to grow and feel valued and to be authentic at work.” “I believe that ATC chose someone like me as a testament that NPR leadership takes this incredibly seriously.”
She sees digital spaces like social media as key to expanding All Things Considered’s reach to new audience members.
Summers stated, “I see this opportunity for someone who might have to bring the voices and opinions of people who may not have heard of NPR.
All Things Considered was founded in 1971. It has been awarded many journalism awards since then, including the George Foster Peabody Award as well as the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award.
Disclosure: This story was written and reported by NPR Intern Jacqueline GaNun, and edited by Emily Kopp (NPR Deputy Business Editor). This story was contributed by NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik. This story was not reviewed by any corporate official or news executive under NPR’s reporting protocol.
