By: Ashleigh Fields, Editor-in-Chief
A bald curvy Black woman from Omaha, Nebraska is redefining what it means to be bold, brilliant and beautiful in broadcast. Symone Sanders is overtaking the airwaves starting tomorrow at 4 p.m. sharp with the goal of engaging, enlightening and entertaining her audience through her solo show entitled Symone. She is one of the first major hires by MSNBC President Rashida Jones who is the first Black woman to lead a cable news network.
“I’m grateful to Rashida Jones for her confidence in me and my voice. We are doing something new,” said Sanders. “I can’t wait for people to see what we have cooked up this upcoming weekend.”
During the show’s premier on May 7, Sanders will be joined by the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden ahead of her trip to Eastern Europe to discuss her plans to meet with refugees and Ukrainian mothers. This exclusive interview will set the tone for what viewers can expect to see.
“I’m not going to just talk in an echo chamber. We’re going to talk to a range of people, some of which people may have seen on television before some who have not,” said Sanders. “We are going to have a political panel and a culture panel with my culture critics.”
Sanders formerly served as a political commentator for CNN and more recently the senior adviser and chief spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris. However, she is eager to break out of her bureaucratic shell.
“I have worked more than 20 different races throughout my career, I’ve done work on reservations, I’ve done judges races and two presidential campaigns,” said Sanders. “I’ve spent my career as a spokesperson for other people articulating and illuminating their points but Symone is my opportunity to say what I would like to say and I think I’ve got a lot to say.”
But she has no intention of leaving her knowledge and experience behind.
“Politics and culture are all swimming in the same stream. Elon Musk buying Twitter is actually a culture story,” said Sanders. “What we’ve seen in the news with Meg thee Stallion and Tory Lanez is an intersection of culture and law.”
These are the connections she hopes to make on the show while adding a unique and personal touch.
“My show can’t be compared to anyone because there is no one on television with the insights that I have or with the resume that I have,” said Sanders. “There is no one out there doing what I am attempting to do and I’m excited about that.”
Sanders leaves only three pieces of advice to young professionals looking to follow in her footsteps.
“Be willing to ask for what you know you have worked for. Be able to execute once you get it and be yourself,” said Sanders. “I got to where I am by being myself.”
Symone will air Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. ET on MSNBC and on Peacock on Mondays and Tuesdays. Those interested in viewing the promo can find it here.
