Danielle Belton has been named the next Editor-In-Chief of the HuffPost. Belton will take over for Lydia Polgreen, who left the company for another venture last year. She is also the second Black woman to ever serve in this role.
"When I announced we were acquiring HuffPost in November, we began a robust and expansive search for an Editor-in-Chief to lead the newsroom and reinforce its standing as a top digital destination," BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti wrote to HuffPost staffers on Wednesday.
"Our priorities were to find a leader who had a clear and formidable long-term version for HuffPost, and would champion its urgent, compelling, and far-reaching journalism."
Prior to working at the HuffPost, Belton spent twenty years working in the media. The Southern Illinois University graduate has worked for Essence, BET and Mad Cow Productions. Most notably, she ascended from the position of Associate Editor to Editor-In-Chief at The Root in just two years. As she leaves The Root, she joins the HuffPost at a trying time. The company lost $20 million last year and let go of 70 newsroom staffers. Ultimately, BuzzFeed acquired the company.
"I am so excited to be joining HuffPost, a powerful and ambitious newsroom that aims to help its tens of millions of monthly readers understand and navigate the complexities of the world around them," Belton said.
"HuffPost is recognized for its compelling and urgent journalism and I look forward to helping shape its formidable future and taking its impact to new heights."
Belton will officially assume the position of HuffPost Editor-In-Chief on April 12.
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