Middlebrooks Era Ending @ WBBM
• After nearly 36 years with Entercom’s WBBM-AM (NewsRadio 780/105.9)/Chicago, news anchor/reporter Felicia Middlebrooks announced her intention to leave the station, effective at the end of the month to focus on her new production company and a podcast. As Middlebrooks so eloquently stated in her farewell letter, “I’m not retiring. I’m rewiring.”
Middlebrooks broke the news of her impending departure in an open letter, which reads, in part, “On May 29th, I’m dropping the mic, at least for daily radio news. I’m not retiring. I’m rewiring. I’m transitioning to long-form storytelling on a multi-media platform, which will include documentaries and feature films, audiobooks and other projects, through my company, Saltshaker Productions. My first venture is a new podcast I’ve created, called She Matters, which focuses on empowering women.”
Middlebrooks continued, “Just to be clear, I’ve been working on this next-level plan for nearly a decade. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, and it is MY decision. As part of my preparation, I returned to my alma mater Purdue University to earn my MBA. Because my love of journalism runs parallel to my love of movies, I also obtained a degree in film. Now, the same faith and purpose that have shaped my life and sustained me for nearly four decades at WBBM Newsradio, will guide the growth of my production company.”
Middlebrooks added, “My career at Newsradio 780 has been the joy and honor of my life, the fulfillment of a dream, a wonderful remarkable journey for which I am deeply grateful.” By way of closing, Middlebrooks said, “In a constantly changing world, I can promise you I’ll still be telling stories — stories that heal, elevate, enlighten and connect us. Truth matters. Always has, always will.”
• In a staff memo, Ron Gleason, WBBM Brand Manager/News Director said, in part, “We’re very excited for Felicia to start the next chapter, but we’ll greatly miss her energy and enthusiasm. She’s been a joy to work with, and a true inspiration. When May comes to an end, so too will her tenure at WBBM. Normally we’d plan a big newsroom gathering to say thank you and farewell. Covid-19 has put a damper on that, but we will find a way to celebrate her incredible career. Congratulations Felicia, we love you and we’ll miss you!”
