Abby Phillip

By Bianca Chardei

In an era where authenticity and accountability define true leadership, Abby Phillip stands as a beacon of both. The CNN NewsNight anchor, author of A Dream Deferred, and devoted mother has built a career on truth-telling, empathy, and purpose. From her early days in Washington, D.C., to her rise as one of the most trusted voices in political journalism, Phillip continues to redefine what representation and power look like — on screen, in print, and beyond.

MONARCH:
Hello Abby thank you so much for taking time to speak with me.
Abby Phillip:
Thank you, it’s a pleasure.

MONARCH:
Now, I wanna start with your journey. How did you get here? What keeps you passionate about this work?
Abby Phillip:
Well, you know, I ask myself all the time how I got here, because I tell people a lot that I didn’t start out in this business thinking I was gonna be on television. I thought I would be a print reporter — that people really would not see my face or know anything more than my byline.
The fact that I’ve ended up on television has been a series of fortuitous moments: opportunity meeting preparation, and really just taking a chance on being in a different medium and speaking to people in a new way.
When I decided I wanted to be a journalist, it was really about storytelling — about history and being part of history. As an anchor now, I find the relationship you have with people, the ability to amplify stories, is so unique and important. It’s been an unpredictable journey, but in all the best ways.

MONARCH:
Now you’ve become one of the most trusted voices in journalism. What initially drew you to politics and reporting, and when did that passion truly take root for you?
Abby Phillip:
I’ve always been a political junkie, to be honest. I grew up in the D.C. area, and from my earliest memories, we’d have The Washington Post dropped on our porch every morning. My parents only let us listen to the news or gospel music in the car!
At an early age, I was well versed in current events. But I didn’t think politics or journalism would be my career — I thought I’d be a doctor or a lawyer.
That changed in college on a Civil Rights and Service trip to Mississippi. We visited pivotal sites — where Emmett Till was killed, where Medgar Evers’ home was shot up, and the campus of Ole Miss. Seeing those places showed me how crucial it was for the media, especially Black journalists, to show the truth of what was happening in America. That’s when I knew I wanted to tell those stories — not as a politician, but as a journalist.

MONARCH:
As an anchor and journalist, you’ve navigated some of the most intense political moments. How have those experiences shaped your approach to storytelling and truth-telling?
Abby Phillip:
For me, it’s all about real people. What draws me to politics isn’t proximity to power — it’s service to the people affected by that power.
I grew up in Bowie, Maryland, surrounded by working-class, middle-class, and immigrant families. Journalism is how I serve them — explaining what’s happening in Washington and how it impacts their lives.
Sometimes it’s easy to get swept up by powerful figures, but I always remind myself who I’m really doing this for. People are complex; they don’t fit neatly into ideological boxes, and journalism should reflect that.

MONARCH:
You’ve helped redefine what leadership looks like in journalism. Who are some of your media role models?
Abby Phillip:
Gwen Ifill has always been a huge role model — her transition from print to television inspired me.
Savannah Guthrie is another; she’s a lawyer, but also empathetic and relatable — that’s a rare combination.
And, of course, Oprah. She’s the master of getting to the heart of the matter — asking the tough questions that reveal who people truly are. I know it’s cliché to name Oprah, but she really is that good.

MONARCH:
Speaking of Oprah, what does it mean to you to see more Black women leading national conversations today?
Abby Phillip:
It’s essential. Black women have a no-nonsense approach that the world needs. We’re real, and audiences crave that authenticity.
Black women often face the toughest economic challenges — first fired, last hired — yet we’re leaders, breadwinners, and community voices. Representation in media helps ensure our perspectives shape national dialogue.
And there’s room for all of us — me, Laura Coates, Joy Reid — we each bring something powerful. Authenticity transcends race, and people want that now more than ever.

MONARCH:
Beyond the newsroom, you’re also a wife and mother. How do you balance the demands of your career and family?
Abby Phillip:
It’s hard — and that’s okay to admit. Being a mom and having a career means you can’t be everything to everyone all the time.
Sometimes you’re more present at work, sometimes at home. That ebb and flow is normal. When I’m on book tour, I miss my daughter, but I know she’s watching her mom achieve her goals — and that’s important.
I’ve learned to delegate better and to take time to recharge. Balance isn’t about doing it all at once; it’s about giving the right things your energy at the right time.

MONARCH:
Let’s talk about your new book, A Dream Deferred. It looks at Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaigns and their impact. What inspired you to tell this story?
Abby Phillip:
I realized that parts of our history — especially Black political history — weren’t being told enough, and that they needed to be told by us.
Many people my age don’t know Jesse Jackson even ran for president, let alone how groundbreaking that was. He paved the way for figures like Barack Obama.
Writing this book was about honoring that legacy while these figures are still with us — and connecting it to where we are politically today.

MONARCH:
What do you hope readers, especially young Black readers, take away from A Dream Deferred?
Abby Phillip:
That our political power wasn’t inevitable — it was built. Jesse Jackson’s voter registration efforts in the 1980s empowered Black Americans in a way that changed U.S. politics.
That groundwork made Barack Obama’s victory possible. The lesson is that progress takes deliberate effort — every generation has to do the work.

MONARCH:
As we wrap up, how do you hope your work inspires future generations of journalists and leaders?
Abby Phillip:
I hope people see me as someone they can trust to be fair and honest — even if they don’t always agree with me.
Trust is the most valuable currency in journalism. For me, legacy means being remembered as a truth-teller — someone who gave it to people straight.

MONARCH:
Abby, on behalf of The Vanguard Nation Podcast and MONARCH Magazine, we thank you for your voice, vision, and commitment to truth.
Abby Phillip:
Thank you so very much. It was great talking to you.

Closing Note (MONARCH):
Abby Phillip — award-winning journalist, host of CNN NewsNight, author of A Dream Deferred, wife, and mother — is a true example of grace, purpose, and power in motion. Her story reminds us that when passion meets purpose, boundaries are broken, and new narratives are written.