Inducted 2018
Radio News Director
Jerome Vaughn
Jerome L. Vaughn, WDET news director, has spent a quarter of a century shaping the news emanating from this metro Detroit NPR affiliate. He began his career there as an intern, and has contributed to its award-winning news stories ever since, except for a brief stint at Michigan Radio.Vaughn spent his career holding up a mirror to metro Detroit. His documentation of the story of Detroit is truly a time capsule of the past, as well as a guiding inspiration for the rebuilding of Detroit.
Vaughn brings to work his entire set of unique attributes as a life-long African American Detroiter who chooses to live within the city limits despite tough times. He has reported on issues and moments as varied as the city’s bankruptcy, the nuanced and culturally specific effects of 1967 civil disturbance, politics and elections, the death and funeral of Mrs. Rosa Parks, former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and a tragic shooting in the vestibule of WDIV. As importantly, Vaughn documented the impact and its sign off of legendary Black radio station WQBH.
He has spent countless hours crafting and conducting WDET’s news internship program, providing opportunities for future media professionals to learn and hone their craft. He has also served as a mentor for NPR’s Next Generation Radio Project.
With Vaughn’s reporting, WDET has been honored 13 times by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, 15 times by the Michigan Associated Press and 12 times by the Society of Professional Journalists.