Vivian Glover

Vivian Glover (born 1947) is an American writer, novelist, educator, and television producer. She is network producer for NBC News and has worked for decades to cover stories for various television programs such as Nightly News, The Today Show, MSNBC, and CNBC.^[1]

Glover was born in 1947 in Orangeburg, North Carolina.^[2] The Glover family soon relocated to Philadelphia in 1955 when Vivian was eight years of age. The move was made in an attempt to remain safe after the family had received numerous threats for Glover's father's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. The Glover family later relocated once again to Camden, New Jersey. This was where Vivian attended and graduated high school with the encouragement of her parents who always emphasized the importance of education. This encouragement transferred to Glover's continuation of education. She attended Temple University in Philadelphia and earned her bachelor's degree in mass communications in 1970.^[3] She then continued her education as an international communications student at the Universidad de Las Americas in Pueblo, Mexico.^[4] While in the states as a student, Vivian Glover worked part-time with young people in high crime areas of Philadelphia. This would ultimately pave the way for her chosen career path as an educator and producer of television news that covered stories about those from all walks of life.

Following her post-graduate studies, Vivian Glover began working for NBC in Washington, DC.^[4] This would kickstart her career as an international producer and writer. Two years after taking this milestone step in her career, she was in full-swing as the producer of the seven o'clock evening shows.^[3] Thus ultimately expanding her career in entertainment and broadcasting.

However, she didn't slow down there. In 1973, Glover moved to the Southern African nation of Botswana. Where she organized and worked as the head of the first news department for radio in the country. Broadcasting daily and relevant news to citizens in both the native language of Southern Africa, Setswana, and English.^[4] During her four years spent in Southern Africa, Glover witnessed first hand the social injustices of the apartheid regime.^[3]

Vivian Glover continued her international travels in 1977 and moved to London, where she would reside for the next fifteen years. While in London, she furthered her literary skills and authored several pieces. In 1986, she published her first novel, "The First Fig Tree", in London by Methuen Publishing Ltd. Through this publishing, Glover was nominated for the Booker Prize literary award in the first novel category. Additionally, in the U.S, the novel was a Book-of-the-Month Club alternate selection.^[4] The novel was so well received, a segment of it was included in Margaret Busby's 1992 book, "Daughters of Africa." Which compiles the stories of over two hundred women from the African diaspora.^[5]

In 1992, Glover returned to Orangeburg and was then invited to teach at Claflin University and complete a work on the institutions history. She took this opportunity to research and write, "Men of Vision: Claflin College and Her Presidents." Which was ultimately published and paid homage to the university for its 125th anniversary.^[4]

Following her tenure at Claflin University, Vivian Glover resumed work as a news producer for NBC and has since been the one behind the scenes of some of the most significant story coverage in South Carolina and the United States.^[4] Which include but aren't limited to, notable documentaries, "Shared History," and "The Marines of Montford Point." Along with the stories of September 11th, Shannon Faulkner’s Citadel enrollment, Susan Smith and the trial, and the South Carolina confederate flag controversy.^[1]

She has also taken on a 14-part series called A Tapestry of their Times about older women in Orangeburg County that has been published in the Times and Democrat. ^[6]