She’s been working towards this for a long time!
Charanna Alexander, pronounced “Sha-Anna,” is making history as the first Black woman to become the Weddings editor at The New York Times, NYTCO reports.
Alexander got her start at the NYTimes nearly 15 years ago, working as a news clerk in the metro section where she “helped reporters get things done.” She eventually was promoted to news assistant and officially joined Weddings in 2016, serving as the producer of weekly articles, reporting on wedding announcements, overseeing the section’s social media account, and covering New York Bridal Fashion Week. In 2019, she was promoted to staff editor, assisting with editing relationship and wedding features and overseeing user-generated stories. Now she will be operating as a senior staff editor, replacing former weddings editor LeAnn Wilcox.
“I’ve always been curious and fascinated by people, relationships, and the concept of falling in love. From the moment I stepped into the building, almost 15 years ago, I knew that I wanted to work on the Weddings desk. And, it’s an absolute honor to have the opportunity to serve as the senior staff editor of the section that has allowed me to live out my greatest passion,” Alexander said.
The Howard University alumna has been instrumental in diversifying coverage of the Weddings desk, expanding content to include the full complexities of relationships from intimacy and friendship to divorce, loss, and everything in between. She has also garnered a new audience through her “Love Letter” newsletter, which she produces weekly. Last year, Alexander was responsible for curating a piece on the magic of homecoming celebrations at HBCUs. She has also worked closely with Wilcox during the pandemic to shift the perspective of weddings. They focused on featuring couples with creative proposals, unique wedding ceremonies from porches, backyards, and via Zoom. She also spearheaded the “Home Together” series featuring stories from couples about surviving quarantine and stories from parents transitioning to virtual work.
“Love is the connective tissue that transcends our differences and magnifies our humanity. The Weddings desk has such a rich history of telling those beautiful stories that remind us that we are all connected. I’m committed to bringing you all kinds of love stories and look forward to continuing the legacy of journalistic excellence that this section is known for, while evolving to address the ever-changing landscape of relationships,” Alexander said.
Congratulations, Charanna!
Photo Courtesy of The New York Times