NPR 'Tell Me More' Executive Producer Teshima Walker Dies

Walker

Condolences to family and friends of NPR "TELL ME MORE" Executive Producer TESHIMA WALKER, who passed away this morning at 44 after a two-year battle with colon cancer.  WALKER became Exec. Producer of MICHEL MARTIN's midday show in 2011 after four years with the show in various producing capacities.  She joined NPR in 2000 from affiliate WBEZ/CHICAGO as a journalism fellow with "ALL THINGS CONSIDERED," followed by three years as a producer for the TAVIS SMILEY Show and NEWS AND NOTES.  She also worked as an APD at SYNDICATION ONE.

“TESHIMA was a terrific journalist who worked tirelessly to bring new and diverse voices to air,” said NPR NEWS Programming Exec. Editor ELLEN MCDONNELL. “She was a phenomenal advocate for the show, the staff and the audience. TELL ME MORE – and everyone who was lucky enough to work with TESHIMA – thrived under her leadership.”

“TESHIMA made us all want to dig a little deeper, think harder, and be better,” said MARTIN. “She was everything you could want in a manager and friend: kind and open-hearted when you needed her to be, and tough, but fair, when you needed her to be. While I already miss her amazing laugh and her incredible off-key rendition of the 'Happy Birthday' song, I know I am better for having heard them both. We are all very grateful for the time we had with her, and thank her husband, parents and sister for sharing these precious last days with us.”

WALKER is survived by husband JIMI IZRAEL, parents WILLIAM and VONCEAL WALKER, and sister EUREVA WALKER.

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