Ex-anchor was pioneer, mentor in local media
Alma Joy Newsom, a trailblazing news reporter who was among the first black women to anchor a Houston television broadcast, died Nov. 2 of unknown causes at her home. She was 70.
Passionate about diversity in media, Newsom relentlessly mentored countless Houston journalists over 14 years at KHOU (Channel 11) and later sought to educate reporters on how to accurately cover minority communities.
“She launched the careers of hundreds of broadcasters,” said Carolyn Campbell, who worked for Newsom at KHOU. “She really had a special passion that women and people of color were represented in the industry.”
Born in Simonton in 1945, Newsom was a prolific speaker and community activist. She graduated from Jack Yates High School, in Houston’s Third Ward, and later attended Texas Southern University.
She began working at KHOU in 1971 and was one of only a handful of black employees at the largely white, male station. Before leaving in 1984, Newsom worked in a number of positions, including community affairs director, program manager, talk show host, reporter and news anchor.
Unflappable in the face of adversity, Newsom was regarded by colleagues as a source of guidance and inspiration, offering encouragement while remaining firm about her standards.
“Excellence was what she demanded, and that’s what you always wanted to deliver,” Campbell said. “She made me believe in myself when I didn’t even believe in myself.”
The sixth of 16 children, Newsom, who had no children of her own, emphasized the importance of perseverance to her many nieces and nephews.
“Even if we stumbled, she helped us pick ourselves up,” said Altheria Goevel, Newsom’s niece, adding that her aunt was lovingly referred to as a “drill sergeant” by family members.
“She could snap you to it. You were not allowed to wallow in self-pity,” Goevel said.
After leaving KHOU, she served as communications director for U.S. Rep. Mickey Leland. Newsom updated a concerned nation in a 1989 televised news conference following the plane crash in which the Houston congressman died.
Following her stint in Washington, Newsom returned to Houston in 1990 and started the Newsom Communications Group. Newsom sought to bridge the divide between diverse communities and media organizations.
“She wanted to make sure there was integrity in reporting,” Goevel said, adding that Newsom sought to teach accuracy over sensationalism.
With a commitment to mentoring and education, Newsom later returned to TSU as an assistant telecommunications professor, teaching courses in business communication, broadcast practices and production.
“A talented writer, eloquent speaker and trailblazing executive, Alma Newsom left a memorable footprint in Houston media,” Houston Association of Black Journalist President Jerome Solomon said in a news release. “She is the definition of a difference-maker. Some of the finest journalists in Houston count her as a mentor and friend, as she taught some, hired many and advised countless others.”
Newsom is survived by eight siblings, Ethel Jackson, Mildred Newsom, Vernice Shelton, Jacquelyn Newsom, Barbara Booker, Beverly Newsom, Lee Newsom and Richard Newsom, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Visititation will begin at 10 a.m Friday at Abiding Faith Baptist Church at 15376 Fondren Road in Missouri City. A celebration will begin at 11 a.m.