CBS News has lost a gem, and it’s for all of the right reasons. Shawna Thomas, former producer at the network, has decided to leave so she can prioritize rest. The network has experienced a slew of changes, like shifts in leadership, over the past couple of years, as the media landscape as a whole continues to transform.
Thomas, who was the producer of the popular CBS Mornings, penned an internal memo to her colleagues, and it’s a source of inspiration for all Black women who are weary and experiencing burnout.
“This isn’t THE GREAT GOODBYE NOTE,” Thomas began, “But you should know I’ve been thinking about this for a while and, frankly, I’m tired y’all.”
The executive producer continued, “Today is not my last day at CBS Mornings, but it begins a countdown to my alarm going off a little bit later […] For five years, I’ve tried to make this show something she and everybody on this team want to be a part of. Want to watch. Want to learn from. And in return, this team has made me more thoughtful, empathetic, and expanded my personal definition of storytelling. I’ve had the privilege of helping to make 10 (now 12!) hours of television each week that goes out free to people everywhere. I’ve taken that responsibility of trying to inform, educate, entertain, and make people care about the world around them very seriously, and I know the people here do, too.”
Before joining CBS in 2021, Thomas showcased her talents for Vice and Quibi as well as NBC News’ beloved public affairs series, Meet the Press. The media exec acknowledged the outpouring of love after the memo went viral in an Instagram post. She also made it clear that her departure isn’t something to be mourned.
“Y’all this is not a bad thing. I’m going to miss everyone but I need to go find a beach. Stat,” she captioned her Instagram post, which was a screenshot of an article announcing her departure.
This type of announcement is significant considering the economic challenges Black women are facing in the present times. While we’re experiencing a severe unemployment crisis and have been disproportionately impacted by layoffs (around 300,000 left the labor force last year), some are willingly walking away due to burnout.
While the stats are bleak, this poses an opportunity for us to rebuild careers, going after our dreams, or going after opportunities that center on wellness and work-life balance. For some, that means delving into entrepreneurship, while for women like Thomas, it looks like trading a work desk for a beach chair.