Dana Tyler
Dana Tyler anchors CBS News New York at 6pm and contributes long-form stories and interviews to the station's multiple media platforms. She anchors special coverage of breaking news events as well as news specials, including CBS2's "Black History is American History," and "CBS2 at the Tonys" previewing Broadway's Tony Awards. Dana joined WCBS-TV in 1990 as weekend anchor and general assignment reporter. She and Reggie Harris were the first African American anchor team in the nation's #1 media market.
For Dana's 32 years of award-winning work, the New York State Broadcasters Association named her to its Hall of Fame Class of 2022. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences New York Chapter inducted Dana into the 2017 Gold & Silver Circle for her 25+ years at WCBS-TV.
Dana was pivotal in CBS2's 2021 launch of "Breaking the Stigma" reports about openly discussing mental health issues and suicide. CBS2 Anchor Cindy Hsu bravely spoke of her attempt to take her own life, and her recovery, in an extensive conversation with Dana. Their candor revealed an unprecedented TV news experience which hopefully, saved lives.
Dana earned Emmy Awards as anchor of the 2011 Community Service Program: "Tunnel to Towers Memorial Run" and the 2009 Breaking News Story: "Flight 1549 Lands in the Hudson River." She earned an Emmy for the 2003 Outstanding Health Program Feature: "Race for the Cure, Heather and Stacy's Story." She was awarded Emmys as anchor of the 2003 Breaking News Story: "New York City Blackout," the 2003 Outstanding Single Newscast: "CBS2 News at 11: City Hall Shooting," and the 1994 Outstanding Single Newscast: "New York City Subway Firebombing."
Her numerous Emmy Award nominations include: 2011 Outstanding Hard News Single Story: "Spider-Man's Fall," 2008 Outstanding Health Program Feature: "Race for the Cure, Amy's Story," 1994 Outstanding Single Hard News Story: "Mole People," 1993 Outstanding Coverage of an Instant Breaking News Story: "World Trade Center Bombing," and 1991 Outstanding News Special: "Heroes on Parade."
The New York Association of Black Journalists presented Dana with its 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award and a 2006 NYABJ Award for her report on Broadway's "The Color Purple." She was honored by the Friars Club in its 2011 "Salute to News Veterans" and by McDonald's in its 2007 "Salute to Black Broadcast Legends."
Over the decades, Dana has volunteered at countless events for non-profit organizations as well as with WCBS-TV community partnerships including: #BetterTogether "Season of Giving" food drives, "Out of the Darkness" Walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and helped with neighborhood environmental improvements through "Project Green." She's taken part in AIDS Walk New York, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk, and "Sisters for the Cure," a Susan G. Komen Greater NYC luncheon to raise awareness about the high rates of breast cancer among women of color. Dana served as a classroom volunteer and board member of Learning Leaders, the New York City Public Schools volunteer program.
Dana received a 2003 Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from St. John's University and a 2001 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service from her alma mater, Boston University. She graduated from BU's School of Management with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree concentrating in marketing and broadcast journalism. In Boston, Dana interned at CBS Radio WEEI-AM, and was a weekend producer at WBZ Radio. Her first internships in Columbus, Ohio, were at WCOL Radio, and WBNS-TV, which led to nine-years as reporter and anchor, earning her a 1986-1987 NATAS Columbus Dayton Cincinnati Chapter Emmy Award as On-Air Host: "Co-Host Composite."
Who is the number one interview Dana couldn't get? Her trailblazing great-grandfather Ralph Waldo Tyler. He was the only Negro war correspondent accredited by the U.S government to report on Black service members in France during World War I.