Photo Courtesy of Instagram (@rolandsmartin)
The Vice President of News Operations at iHeartMedia’s Black Information Network at 49 years old. Tanita Myers was rushed to Tulane Hospital in New Orleans for a medical emergency and was admitted to the ICU but died later on Wednesday, July 13.
Tony Coles, Division President for iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group and BIN President, delivered the news in a note to staff.
“Tanita was a passionate leader, a champion of women in journalism, and one of the driving forces behind the Black Information Network,” Coles said of Myers in the announcement. “We are a better organization because of her dedication to our mission, and we are better humans because of her love, her humor, and her spirit. While she took great pride in her work, it was her friends and family who brought her the most joy. Tanita’s smile always got a bit brighter when she spoke about her mom and her son Brandon.”
Myers joined BIN in June 2020 after being with Reach Media as the Senior Director of Radio Operations for 15 years. Her impressive resume comprised her previously serving as Director of Operations for the Tom Joyner Morning Show and Executive Producer for The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.
In response to the news of Myers’ death, her colleague, Roland Martin, took to social media to express his sadness.
“Just got word that a colleague has passed away. Had to play Patty Griffin’s ‘Up To The Mountain (MLK’s Song)’ driving home,” the post read. “I just got a text that just broke me up. The tears are streaming. Will have more to say tomorrow. Just so sad. PLEASE, cherish every moment, w/your peeps.”
In another post, Martin announced that the colleague was Myers and talked about her sweetly.
“She was the person who I sent my daily BIN commentaries to,” he stated. “When the network launched, it was Tanita who was my biggest cheerleader and who insisted that I be hired. Her death is so shocking because I last saw her at @essencefest on Friday at the @McDonalds brunch with @Keke Palmer. Tanita was being Tanita: loud and funny. We hugged each other and laughed.”
According to Martin’s post, Myers was rushed to the hospital after being found unresponsive in her room, but she never gained consciousness. Her family decided to remove her from life support.
Rest in peace, Tanita Myers.