Julian Glover, B.S.C. ’13, talks about his journalism journey, the transformative power of storytelling, and promoting meaningful change through impactful media.
By Benjamin Estrada
Julian Glover, B.S.C. ’13, credits his early experiences exploring the field of communications in middle school as a significant contributor to his journey toward becoming an award-winning journalist. His innate gift for communication was evident from his early days as a chatty, inquisitive student in the classroom. Little did he know that his natural gift of gab would later transform into a powerful tool to bring about awareness and change.
“In seventh grade, we got to tour one of the local television stations in Washington, D.C., and that’s when it clicked,” Glover said. “It was so incredible to meet Leon Harris, a news anchor I grew up watching. That was kind of the full circle moment where it was like, ‘Oh, this is a really incredible profession and an important one too.’ Informing people, helping the public navigate tough times, and giving folks the information they need to be informed contributors to society.”
While at the University of Miami, Glover expanded his journalistic skillset through his academic endeavors and his experience in UMTV—the award-winning, student-run television station. As a student, Glover took on pivotal roles that showcased his passion for media. As executive producer and later as station manager, he started two pioneering news programs that have become enduring staples in UMTV’s programming.
The creation of “NewsBreak” and “Pulse” highlighted Glover’s innovative spirit and demonstrated his understanding of what captures an audience’s attention. These programs continue to inform viewers more than ten years later, and working on them is something that Glover recognizes for helping to deepen his understanding of the ever-changing media landscape. He explained how “everyone was beginning to have an iPhone on campus,” both for general use and as a means of obtaining the news. Glover said that through UMTV, he learned firsthand how to tailor news content and make it accessible to an evolving digital audience.
“I had the opportunity to be in a leadership position at such a young age and be able to ideate, identify a need, and try and figure out a way to meet that need,” Glover said. “By launching UMTV “Pulse” and “NewsBreak,” we were able to get fast, easily digestible information to the smartphones of folks all across campus. It certainly set me up to where I am today.”
After graduating in 2013, Glover left his mark in different regions across the country. His work as the morning anchor at WOIO-CBS 19 in Cleveland, Ohio, saw him covering impactful events like the Dayton mass shooting and medical breakthroughs at the Cleveland Clinic. In Louisville, Kentucky, as an anchor and reporter for WAVE 3 News, he delved into stories like the University of Louisville’s basketball scandal, the passing of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, and received an Associated Press award for his coverage of the opioid epidemic’s toll on children born dependent on the drug.
While recalling how much he’s moved around the country as a journalist, Glover said, “the most important thing when you’re learning a new community is to learn, to listen, understand and know that you don’t have all of the answers. It’s your duty to understand the unique challenges of the communities you’re covering, what makes them special, unique, and prideful.”
His dedication to comprehensive and culturally competent journalism did not go unnoticed, and in 2021, he embraced a new role leading the ABC 7 Bay Area TV station’s coverage of race, culture, and social justice. It was then that he decided to tackle the deeply rooted issue of discrimination against people of color within the home appraisal process. Glover’s reporting on this issue would become nationally recognized, earning accolades such as the 2022 Emmy and regional Edward R. Murrow awards for excellence in reporting on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Glover’s work culminated in a documentary film, “Our America: Lowballed,” which explored families’ experiences with systemic housing inequality. His reporting ignited substantial change, prompting the Biden-Harris administration to create an interagency task force. Subsequently, legislation aimed at addressing long-standing housing inequities was introduced in Congress.
“It reminds me of why I got into journalism in the first place. The idea of informing people about an issue that’s impacting them, and in this case, an issue that some knew of and just brushed aside. To educate the public in that way … I know middle school Julian is very proud,” Glover said. “It can be a tough job, it can be grueling, it can be so challenging in a number of ways, but to see that impact, it meant a lot.”
Glover’s passion for journalism extends beyond reporting. Today, in conjunction with his role at ABC 7 Bay Area, he serves as an adjunct professor for the online graduate program in communications at Syracuse University, where he obtained his Master of Science in Communications. He explained how he enjoys and values the opportunity to train and inspire the next generation of journalists.
“I try and impart to my students the idea of versatility. You have to be someone that can do it all. Also, the idea that we should be reporting to lift up the most marginalized and shed light on inequality, corruption, and wrongdoing,” Glover said. “This is a powerful medium that we have, which has the ability to effect change. If I can light that fire in someone to use this megaphone we have for good, I think it’s a mission accomplished as far as teaching goes.”
In closing, Glover emphasized the importance of storytelling regardless of one’s career or interests.
“Storytelling is at the heart of how we connect interpersonally. It transcends so many fields. We need skilled communicators and storytellers across a number of mediums and professions because that is how we connect as people,” Glover said. “Once you realize that at the heart of it all, we all want the same thing—to be happy, healthy, and to see our families grow and flourish—you’re able to connect with people authentically and make an impact.”
This story originally appeared at https://news.miami.edu/alumni/stories/2023/08/umtv-alumnus-catalyzes-change-through-storytelling.html.
