Inductees to the Alabama Broadcasting Association’s Hall of Fame are often those who are, quite literally, in the spotlight. But sometimes the honor goes to a behind-the-scenes professional whose list of accomplishments is lengthy to say the least. But perhaps her most important contribution to our industry is her drive to make a difference in the future, infusing three decades of up-and-coming broadcasters with her passion and dedication. For this, the ABA includes Tina Yarbrough as one of the 2018 inductees.

Tina’s broadcasting career is brought to us by, of all things, a bank robbery.  “I was a teller … actually the first black Head Teller in any bank in Birmingham.  I was there during a serious shooting,” she explains. “Ben McKinnon, WSGN’s GM, was one of my customers and shortly after the shooting he asked me if I’d like a job that would get me out of the line of fire.  And I did,” she laughs.

Ask Tina about the progression of her broadcasting career from that point and you get a modest summary.  “In radio, I went from receptionist to a traffic position to on-air doing public affairs – which is what I did when I moved to television and that turned into the Programming and Operations Director position at what was WBMG at that time.”

“I had a brief run in television sales at WVTM-TV, but moved to WTTO-TV to be the  Director of Programming and Operations at the sign-on of Alabama’s first independent television station.   Then I went to the NBC affiliate in Mobile where I was Marketing Director for a while.  I went to Washington, DC because it was a major market and I wanted to learn what that was like – I was the Assistant Director of Programming and Operations for the Paramount Station there and then I came back to Birmingham in 1994 as the Program Director of WVTM.  I came to WIAT in 2006, where I now handle Community Affairs and FCC Compliance.”

Tina is low key about all her accomplishments. Even when telling you that she was the first black woman in Birmingham radio, one of the very first black women in Birmingham television as well as the first black woman to hold a Program Director position at any CBS affiliate in the country.  Her style is unpresumptuous.

To understand what really matters to Yarbrough, just ask her about the “kids” – the dozens of interns she’s had throughout the years, many who have stayed in touch.  That’s when she gets excited.

“One of the summer interns working here now is a kid from Georgia and I have just loved watching the light bulb go off in his head,” says Yarbrough. “We’ve been talking all summer about writing and we’re listening to a network tease and instead of me explaining to him why they used the words they used, he starts explaining it to me! His eyes are shining … he gets it! Another one, also from Georgia, is so smart and quick, and gets what having a work ethic really means, even as a millennial; I’m just waiting to see how high in this industry she is going to reach. She’s headed to some major news organization I’m sure.  These kids make all of the headaches worth it,” she laughs.

Yarbrough gets serious as she discusses her goals for the interns. “I try with the kids to get them to know how important it is that we have free television in the United States and don’t take it for granted. The free press makes a big difference in our society and it’s not a given that it will always be around.  I want our young people who are coming along to have a background and foundation they can use to protect something that is very important.”

When asked what the Hall of Fame induction means to her, Yarbrough is once again humble and somewhat reserved.

“I guess it means that I’m noticed after all. That maybe it all mattered,” she says quietly. “This is not one of those pat you-on-the-back, every day, thank you jobs. So the fact that somebody noticed and that it mattered …  it’s something that I am very grateful to know.”