NABJ, R&B Foundation Remember Ed Bradley: Organizations pay respect to late newsman

*The National Association of Black Journalists has released a statement mourning the loss of journalism pioneer and CBS “60 Minutes” correspondent Ed Bradley, who died on Nov. 9 of leukemia at the age of 65.

“Ed Bradley was a consummate professional who defined investigative journalism for a generation," said NABJ President Bryan Monroe, vice president and editorial director for Ebony and Jet magazines in Chicago. "His interviewing skills were second to none. As a member and a friend, we will miss him greatly."

In addition to the 2005 NABJ Lifetime Achievement Award, Bradley also received two NABJ Salute to Excellence Awards for his story on the life of Ray Charles and his expose, "The Murder of Emmett Till". At the 2006 Salute to Excellence Awards, he was recognized for his report "Bridge to Gretna".

"Ed was style and substance," said Barbara Ciara, NABJ Vice President for Broadcast. "He helped shatter the color barrier at CBS, but he defined cool when he decided to sport an earring on the hallowed airwaves of 60 Minutes."

It was with his freelance coverage of the 1965 Philadelphia riots that Bradley landed his first job as a radio reporter at WDAS-FM. He would later move on to join WCBS Radio in New York City.

"It doesn't seem like it was a lifetime ago when we held the first meetings in New York---just a small band of brothers and sisters new to this business of journalism," Bradley shared during his acceptance speech of the 2005 NABJ Lifetime Achievement Award. "There weren't many of us then but we knew we needed to be together. It gives me great pleasure to know that I was there at the gestation of one of the early black journalists association."

The Rhythm and Blues Foundation has also expressed sadness over the passing of Ed Bradley. In a statement, the organization salutes the late journalist for his life-long love of R&B and jazz music.

“Ed Bradley held a great love of the traditions of Rhythm and Blues music and an abiding respect for the genre’s artists,” read the statement. “He demonstrated that love and respect as a long-time member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and through his support for the Foundation’s programs.”