NIR Jerri Lange

Jerri Lange has had a wealth of experience in television (both in front of the camera and behind the scenes). Her colorful career has yielded numerous awards in the field of broadcasting, and in April 1978 San Francisco State University issued its most prestigious honor, the Broadcast Preceptor Award, given by the Broadcast Communications Arts Department "in recognition of signal accomplishments, leadership and adherence to the highest standards in broadcasting" to three recipients: Walter Cronkite, Mike Wallace, and Jerri Lange.

Between 1969 and 1979, Jerri was host of a number of television programs in San Francisco which focused on community issues at KEMO, KBHK, KGO, and KQED (where she also served on the board). Jerri became the first black woman to host a national talk show, Turnabout, which was produced at the San Francisco public television station KQED and broadcast on 148 stations throughout the country. 

Jerri was comfortable on camera, and comfortable interviewing superstars such as Shirley MacLaine, Sammy Davis, Jr., Rock Hudson, and others. On March 1, 1978 at KQED she was honored as "The Outstanding Broadcaster of the Year" by American Women in Radio and Television.

As a professor of Broadcast Communications Arts at San Francisco State University, Jerri taught Broadcasting and Affirmative Action, Women in Media, and Writing for Radio and Television. She also lectured a graduate class in Communications at Stanford University. She was granted an interview with Professor Arnold Tonybee, historian and member of the Royal Institute of International Studies in London.