Jovita Moore, the award-winning WSB-TV news anchor whose professionalism, warmth and commitment to public service made her a trusted presence in homes across Atlanta, died on October 28, 2021, after a seven-month battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was 53.
Five years after her death, Moore’s legacy continues through the journalism she delivered, the community organizations she supported and the generations of aspiring journalists she encouraged. Her former colleagues at WSB-TV continue to honour her memory, ensuring that her contributions to Atlanta’s news community are not forgotten.
A Battle With Brain Cancer
Moore’s health challenges became public in April 2021, when doctors discovered two masses in her brain. She underwent surgery to remove the masses, and subsequent testing revealed that she had glioblastoma.
The diagnosis marked a difficult chapter for the veteran journalist, who had spent much of her professional life informing viewers about events affecting their communities. She later shared news of her condition with the public and expressed gratitude for the messages, prayers and encouragement she received from viewers and colleagues.
Despite treatment, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the disease progressed. Moore died on October 28, 2021, surrounded by the love and support of those closest to her.
Her death was announced by WSB-TV the following morning, prompting an outpouring of grief from colleagues, viewers and members of the Atlanta community.
A Distinguished Broadcasting Career
Born in New York, Moore developed a passion for journalism that would eventually lead her to become one of Atlanta’s most recognizable television news personalities.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Bennington College in Vermont before completing a master’s degree in broadcast journalism at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Early in her career, she worked at television stations in Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee, gaining experience as a reporter and anchor.
Moore joined WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News in Atlanta in 1998. Over the next two decades, she became a familiar face on the station’s evening newscasts, delivering important local and national stories with clarity and composure.
In 2012, she moved to the station’s main evening anchor desk, further cementing her place in Atlanta broadcasting.
Her work earned several Emmy Awards and professional honours. In 2017, she was inducted into the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Southeast Chapter, recognizing her longstanding contributions to television.
For viewers, Moore represented more than a familiar face on the evening news. Her reporting helped people understand major developments affecting their neighbourhoods, families and communities.
A Commitment to Community Service
Beyond the newsroom, Moore devoted significant time to civic organizations, charitable initiatives and mentorship. She supported nonprofit organizations across metropolitan Atlanta and encouraged young people interested in journalism to pursue their ambitions.
Her commitment to helping others became an important part of the legacy she left behind. Colleagues remembered her not only for her talent and dedication but also for her generosity, kindness and willingness to support those around her.
Moore was also an active member of professional journalism organizations, including the National Association of Black Journalists and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists. Her career served as an example for aspiring journalists, particularly those seeking to build careers in broadcast news.
Her influence extended beyond the stories she reported. Through mentorship and community involvement, she helped create opportunities for others to follow in her footsteps.
A Devoted Mother and Beloved Colleague
Although Moore achieved considerable professional success, her family remained central to her life. She was a mother of three children, whom she regarded as among her greatest accomplishments.
Her death was deeply felt by her family, friends and colleagues, many of whom shared tributes celebrating her character and the personal relationships she had built over the years.
At memorial gatherings following her death, those who knew her remembered a woman whose impact reached well beyond television. She was celebrated as a loving mother, a supportive friend, a respected journalist and a compassionate member of the community.
For her colleagues at WSB-TV, losing Moore meant saying goodbye to a valued member of their newsroom family. For viewers, it meant the loss of a familiar and trusted voice.
Keeping Her Legacy Alive
In 2022, Cox Media Group established the Jovita Moore Scholarship in partnership with the National Association of Black Journalists. The scholarship supports students pursuing journalism, reflecting Moore’s commitment to mentoring future generations.
The initiative has helped ensure that her influence continues beyond the newsroom, giving aspiring journalists an opportunity to develop the skills and experience needed to pursue their own careers.
Her legacy also lives on through the charitable organizations she supported and the memories shared by the people whose lives she touched.
Remembering Jovita Moore
Jovita Moore’s death at 53 brought an end to a distinguished broadcasting career, but it did not erase the influence she had on Atlanta. Her years at WSB-TV established her as a trusted journalist, while her work outside the newsroom demonstrated a lasting commitment to service and mentorship.
Five years after her passing, her story remains one of professional achievement, resilience and dedication to others. For those who watched her on television, worked alongside her or received encouragement from her, Moore is remembered as a journalist whose impact extended far beyond the evening news.
Her life serves as a reminder that a meaningful legacy is built not only through professional accomplishments but also through the people one supports, the communities one serves and the lives one helps shape.
Jovita Moore died on October 28, 2021, from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was 53. She is remembered for her distinguished career at WSB-TV, her commitment to Atlanta and her dedication to her family and the next generation of journalists.
