SAT., JANUARY 10, 1981
1980by Kelvio A. Bell
Everyday People
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"If I can do it, you can do it! I don't
imagine myself as being some kind of
genius who can understand all kinds of
things. I figure myself to be a plain, old,
everyday person. And that's what I try
to get out of others."
-This is only a portion ot tne Beverly
Burke (WTVD-DurhamVco-anc'ior for
the six and eleven o'clock news)
discovered in an inspiring interview as
she discussed her life, how she got
started, where she's headed and how she
feels about her viewers.
I feel that I have to take a viewer's
posture in wanting to know the essential
things of any incident; any situation. If I
were a person who watched TV. . . .what
would I want to know about what I am
viewing and what I am learning. I try to
pick up these things by asking questions
of whoever I consider to be the focus of
that newscast."
In reporting the results of her fin
dings, she has to present as many sides
that are offered, doing battle against a
speaker and time. Miss Burke finds that
she and her colleagues must be
"strangely precise" in their presentation-:
and is quick to point out that "it
takes a disciplined mind to remove
yourself from a situation so that you can
see .all the things that are hanging on the
outside."
feeling a deep responsibility to the
community, Miss Burke is "challenged
to open her mind, to seek put resources
for information, and to digest that in
formation and inform the public."
She loves people and points out that
one thing she really enjoys about this job
is the continuing education which has
never confined her to walls. "I have
never really enjoyed going to school
unless I was in a real experiencing situa
tion," she remarked.. "But schools do
not lend themselves to giving experience
and understanding."
Beverly is one of those learners by do
ing; learners by experiencing and finds
that "when I have a question on
something, I am in a prime situation
where 4 can get on the phone and canay
"This is Beverly Burke at WTVDTrd
like to speak to. '', .Dr. John Hope
Franklin at the Humanities Center. . . ."
A lot of people are not afforded the lux
ury of maybe having a little bit of an
"in" in getting to that doctor as oppos-..
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Beverly discusses a story with news director, Ned Worwick.
Public calling to speak to
ed to John Q
that person.
Now, I may not always be abje to
speak with that person, but I have a little
more leverage and that affords me,
(which I have great respect for) an op
portunity to speak with somebody who
actually knows what they're talking
about. . .someone who has credibility
because they are the experienced."
She holds that reverent and doesn't
care what it is they do. "I don't care if
I'm speaking to a convict; if I'm speak
ing to a professor at North Carolina
Central; if I'm speaking to a student; an
unwed mother, a cop; the governor
that person's experience is unique. And I
think there's no better credibility than
that. , .and that makes me feel ajittle
more educated about the world."
Her education and work are very im
portant to her, but when she finds time,
Beverly also enjoys relaxing with her
privacy.
Having varied interests including
spectator sports, dancing, and entertain
ing with good friends, she also works on
her own car, enjoys traveling, and pain
ting (having also taken several art
courses at NCCU).
One of her great developing loves is
horseback riding. "I really felt one with
the horse," she says of one of her first
outings. "I stayed the whole day and
ended up riding three different horses. . ;
. .1 think I rode out three different
horses. But I've gone back several
times." Beverly enjoys the serenity of
being out in the woods and says that Dart:
of the enjoyment comes from being able;
to relate to something else that s alive
that's not a person."
... . .Wheaaskfid.how.she perceived-her ef
fect on' the community, Miss Burke satid
she sensed that people were proud to see
a black person on the air who lends a
positive image. She remembered "as a
small child, if you saw a black person on
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One of the things Miss Burke enjoys when at home Is listening to albums she has collected
over the years while enjoying the warmth of her fireplace. -
Part of Beverly's , responsibilities Include doing
'Newbreaks" of what will be covered later In the evening.
Tihj
(the one that's easy to keep)
I fa Ufa & I
It's simply a matter of opening an
account, at First Capital Savings and
Loan in any amount, because no
minimum deposit is required. Do it
NOW and your money will earn,
more interest in 1981 than it did in
1980. No other Bank or Savings and
Loan in Durham and Orange boun
ties pays as much interest on regular
passbook savings. And there are no
restrictions on withdrawal or penal
ties for early withdrawal. Make the
6 resolution today and start earn
ing more interest this very week,
6
ANNUAL INTEREST
COMPOUNDED
DAILY
'mat CAPITAL SAVWGS
AtpUJANASSOOAnONfim
Northern UtM (Naxt to ROM's Durham. N.C.)
Durham: 280-1241 Chap Hid: 929-0438
Mon.-Thura. 9-4, Frt. 9-8
uu
together
television, you ran and told somebody:
'Somebody black is on television!' you'd
get everybody from upstairs; you'd go
outside and tell everybody to come in. .
.if there was a neighbor sitting on the
porch talking with my mother,- they'd
come in to see who was black and on
TV."
Pointing to the need for many more
positive images of everyday life, Miss
Burke also pointed out that she needs
the community very much. "I alone can
not be all good things for that image. .
.and I should not be. That's why there
are Shauna Singletarys, Deborah Longs,
Ervin Hesters, Kathy Thompsons, Stan
Saunders. . .1 share with them the im
ages of black professionalism that the
i community can relate to."
"You have to perform 200 to be
seen as equal to the others," she says.
"More adults understand that than do
the young, but the young are learning
quickly."
Having begun her broadcasting career
with a radio station in New York, Bever
ly notes that "WTVD has afforded me
great opportunities to expand horizons.
The station is a very necessary part of
the community; the people's voice and
would like people to perceive it as such.
TV is their voice when they are ready, to
speak and they should let us hear it."
Her attitude is one of life and hope for
the community, of giving, of caring, and
of sharing. That makes her life (and
ours) very special. $o when" she says,
"For Stan, Skip, Steve and the entire
Eyewitness Newsteam, this is Beverly
Burke. . ." we'll know that she and her
colleagues are doing the kind of job our
communities need.
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While 3. Carter edits footice for a story, Beverty follows
along with script to mike sure she his covered tier needs.
As the deadllnt approachit, Miss Burke dlSgantiy wraps up a story as dsss co-inchx
Steve LnoIou In backoronnd.