Belva Davis (1932-2025)

Honoring the groundbreaking journalist who paved the way for generations of truth tellers

Before the world was ready, Belva Davis stepped into the newsroom not with permission, but with purpose. As the first Black woman television journalist on the West Coast, she didn’t just report the news; she reshaped the lens through which it was told with grace and soft power.

She covered revolutions and reckonings: the Berkeley protests, the rise of the Black Panthers, the Moscone-Milk assassinations, the AIDS crisis, and presidential campaigns all while navigating racism, sexism, and the weight of being "first." Throughout her nearly five-decade career at KPIX, KRON, and KQED, she hosted "This Week in Northern California" and "KQED Newsroom" and became a trusted guide to Bay Area civic life. Her presence was not just groundbreaking; it was a force that inspired generations.

In her 2011 memoir, Never in My Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman's Life in Journalism, Ms. Davis wrote:

"Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you dream it, you can make it so."

This mantra echoes the ethos of Dr. Maya Angelou herself, who taught us that courage is the greatest virtue and that legacy is built through truth, not titles. Ms. Davis and Dr. Angelou shared a long relationship as sister friends, colleagues, trailblazers, and dynamic women of the world.  Guy Johnson had a deep friendship with Ms. Davis and her husband Mr. Billy Moore that spanned many years. 

Belva Davis didn’t just open doors; she held them open. She mentored generations of journalists, especially women of color, reminding them that their voice was not only valid but vital.

Her story is a mirror for every young changemaker who dares to speak truth in spaces not built for their brilliance. May her legacy continue to serve as a blueprint for exercising courage and movement-building through the media.