Current Role and Responsibilities
Cheryl Wills is an Emmy Award-winning journalist currently serving as an anchor for Spectrum News NY1, Charter’s flagship local news channel based in New York City. She has been a charter member of NY1 since its inception in 1992, making her one of the most tenured on-air personalities at the station. As of early 2025, she anchors a new three-hour weeknight lineup, including the programs “New York Tonight” and “NY1 at Ten.” Additionally, she hosts the public affairs program “In Focus with Cheryl Wills,” a 30-minute show dedicated to in-depth discussions on issues affecting New York City.
Career Highlights and Achievements
- Cheryl Wills was the first African American woman to host a prime-time nightly newscast for a cable news channel in New York.
- In 2018, she became the first African American reporter in NY1’s history to win an Emmy Award.
- She has conducted exclusive interviews with high-profile figures, including being the only reporter at NY1 to interview a sitting president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.
- Cheryl’s work has been recognized with multiple accolades including:
- YMCA National Black Achievers in Industry Award
- Carl T. Rowan Leadership in Media Award
- McDonald’s honored her in 2010 for her achievements.
- Awards from the New York Press Club and prestigious journalism organizations.
Editorial and Reporting Experience
- Cheryl Wills has covered major historical and breaking news events, notably including the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
- Her reporting career spans over three decades, maintaining a strong presence in New York City media.
- She has served as moderator and managing editor of programming beyond NY1, including work on PBS NewsHour and Washington Week, reflecting her breadth of expertise in public affairs journalism.
Authorship and Public Speaking
- Cheryl Wills is also an author, having published Die Free: A Heroic Family History, a work blending historical narrative and personal family heritage which she has presented through combined mediums of words, music, and imagery.
- She is an active public speaker and emcee, recently announced as the official emcee for the 2025 Power of Women to Make a Difference Awards Luncheon.
- Cheryl is recognized as a distinguished speaker within media, cultural, and nonprofit sectors, frequently engaged for thoughtful discourse on social and historical topics.
Community and Educational Impact
- Raised in New York, Cheryl Wills is regarded as a pillar of the New York community with a highly loyal regional audience.
- She leverages her platform to amplify civic engagement and community storytelling.
- Through her work, she also emphasizes historical education, notably sharing the stories of her ancestors and broader African American heritage.
Professional Profile Summary
Cheryl Wills stands as a high-profile veteran journalist at Spectrum News NY1, with a rare combination of longevity, prime-time anchoring experience, and notable journalistic firsts for underrepresented communities. Her role extends beyond anchoring to authorship, moderating, community advocacy, and educational initiatives. Her visibility and respected reputation within New York City’s media landscape, combined with her leadership in public affairs programming, make her a significant figure within Charter’s Spectrum News operations and the broader journalistic community.
Key points for engagement or collaboration considerations include her authoritative voice in New York news, long-standing association with Charter, award-winning reporting experience, and demonstrated capacity for thought leadership through high-profile interviews and public speaking engagements.
