MadameNoire recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Michelle Miller, an award-winning broadcast journalist, co-host of CBS Saturday Morning and New York Times bestselling author. Recently, Michelle was presented with the prestigious key to New York City during the Gracie Mansion Conservancy’s annual gala, held on November 18, 2024. This momentous achievement recognized her exceptional work as a journalist, her contributions to amplifying underrepresented voices, and her efforts to showcase the diverse stories that shape the city.

In this exclusive interview, we sat down with Michelle to discuss her remarkable career journey, her challenges, and the significance of being recognized as a living legacy and receiving a key to New York City. Rhonda Binda, Executive Director of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, emphasized the importance of the Gracie Mansion as a symbol of New York City’s history and culture. “The Gracie Mansion is not only a residence but a living museum that preserves the city’s rich past while looking toward the future,” Binda exclusively shared via Michelle’s interview. She also highlighted the gala’s role in supporting the Conservancy’s mission: “Our honorees represent a living legacy of excellence, and their contributions continue to shape the city and beyond.”

(R-L) Mayor Eric Adams posed for a picture with Key to the City honorees, President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker, New York Times Bestselling Author and Co-Host of “CBS Saturday Morning” Michelle Miller and President and CEO of the National Urban League Marc H. Morial at the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Benefit Gala on Monday, November 18th 2024. Source: Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy / other

Miller, a proud South Central Los Angeles native who has made New York her home for the past 20 years, shared how her journey has been shaped by paying it forward: uplifting others, especially young women and men in journalism. As she reflects on her career and recent recognition of the key to New York City, Michelle underscores the transformative power of belonging and the profound impact of mentorship, showcasing the values that continue to guide her work and legacy. Read on for Michelle’s insightful, impactful and inspiring interview.

MadameNoire: You were recently honored with the prestigious Key to New York City at the Gracie Mansion Conservancy’s Annual Gala. What does this honor mean to you?

Michelle Miller: Receiving the Key to New York City represents the culmination of my work over the past two decades. It’s a recognition of my efforts to showcase the talents of New Yorkers, especially those from underserved communities. New York is a city that thrives because of its diversity, and I’ve made it a point to highlight the contributions of African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and other communities who have shaped this city. It’s about amplifying the voices that are often unheard and celebrating the achievements in every field—from STEM to the arts—that have made this city and country great.

(L-R) Key to the City honorees, New York Times Bestselling Author and Co-Host of “CBS Saturday Morning” Michelle Miller and President and CEO of the National Urban League Marc H. Morial are all smiles at the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Benefit Gala  Source: Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy / other

MadameNoire: As an award-winning journalist and anchor on CBS Morning News, could you share the influence of mentors in your career journey?

When I first visited New York in 1985, I learned that one of my distant cousins was Carol Jenkins, a legendary journalist at WNBC. She epitomized the kind of journalist I aspired to be—authentic and powerful in her storytelling. Her presence and her ability to tell stories in a way that resonated with people influenced me deeply. Her example showed me the importance of being true to yourself, and that authenticity is key to connecting with an audience. It was through embracing that authentic voice that I broke through in my career, especially at CBS News.

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Source: (L-R) Director of Public Engagement of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Chioma Ohakam; Gracie Mansion Advisory Board Member, Catherine Loevner; Chief of Staff, Office of the President and CEO, Marc H. Morial, Tina Pizzimenti MSL; Executive Director of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Rhonda Binda; and Gracie Mansion Advisory Board Member, Carolyn Maloney pose for a photo at the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Benefit Gala on Monday, November 18th 2024. (Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy) / other

MadameNoire: What role does storytelling play in reshaping narratives about Black identity and Black excellence?

Storytelling is one of the oldest parts of our culture. It is one of the definers of us as human beings, and us crafting who we are as people. For too long, our narratives were misrepresented or erased, but now we’re reclaiming them. Telling our own stories reinforces our culture and history, celebrating our successes and inspiring future generations. My husband, Marc H. Morial, president of the National Urban League, and I are dedicated to this cause. Next year, we will unveil the National Urban League headquarters in Harlem, which will include the first Civil Rights Museum in New York City. This space will honor the impact of Black people on the city and the country, from the Great Migration to the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement.

Source: Chief of Staff to the Mayor and Chair of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Board of Directors, Camille Joseph Varlack, and Key to the City honoree, New York Times Bestselling Author and Co-Host of “CBS Saturday Morning” Michelle Miller, pose for a photo at the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Benefit Gala on Monday, November 18th 2024. Source: Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy

The new headquarters will be a monumental institution in Harlem and will also house a studio, museum offices, the United Negro College Fund, 100 Black Men, and 17 stories of affordable housing. It will be a self-sustaining institution that serves as both a cultural hub and empowerment center, bringing much-needed development to the 125th Street corridor, with amenities like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Sephora nearby. This is part of a broader effort to continue the legacy of Black excellence in New York City, and I am incredibly proud of the work we’re doing together.

MadameNoire: What advice would you give to young women of color aspiring to make an impact in media and journalism?

My advice is to do the work and stay connected to your community. Journalism is about telling stories that matter and the best way to do that is by being involved in your community. I often hear young people in journalism say they can’t get involved, but as a community member, it’s essential to engage. For me, that meant supporting local schools in Harlem and Brooklyn, giving my time to young people, and ensuring women, especially survivors of domestic abuse, have safe spaces. I’m also committed to the arts, serving on the board of the School of American Ballet and advocating for education in both the arts and STEM.

New York Mayor Eric Adams presented this year’s honorees with the distinguished Key to the City at the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Benefit Gala on Monday, November 18th 2024. (Source: Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy) / other

Being active in these causes has connected me with others and helped me thrive in this community. Through organizations like the Greater New York Links, who supported my book Belonging on the New York Times bestseller list, I’ve seen firsthand how being involved can create meaningful change and inspire impactful stories that move the needle.

Get involved, make a difference in your community, and the rest will follow.

(L-R) Director of Public Engagement of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Chioma Ohakam; Key to the City honoree, President and CEO of the National Urban League Marc H. Morial; and Executive Director of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Rhonda Binda pose for a photo at the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Benefit Gala on Monday, November 18th 2024. Source: Soul Brother for the Gracie Mansion Conservancy

MadameNoire: What message do you hope to inspire through your work, receiving the key to New York City, and the importance of honoring and amplifying Black excellence?

As a girl from South Central Los Angeles, I’m incredibly proud to have made it in New York City. Living here for 20 years and giving back to this community has been my way of paying it forward. Karma works when you uplift others, and over the years, I’ve helped young women and men in my field feel safe, settled, and like they belong. That sense of belonging is the essence of my book Belonging, and I’m proud to carry that legacy forward. Being recognized in this way is a testament to the mentors who helped me, and it’s my honor to pass that support on.

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