Veteran award-winning journalist Alvin Patrick has been named Executive Producer of CBS News’ newly formed Race and Culture Unit. Patrick’s role is effective immediately; he reports to Kimberly Godwin, CBS News’ Executive Vice President of News.

“We must always be aware of how race and culture impacts our journalism – and, in terms of the future of CBS News, this unit will be as important as Standards and Practices,” said CBS News President and Senior Executive Producer Susan Zirinsky. “I am pleased to have Alvin in this essential role as we continue to make the powerful journalism of CBS News more inclusive.”

“Alvin is a seasoned producer who brings years of experience and vital perspective to this role,” said Godwin. “The Race and Culture Unit will be a critical aspect of everything we do, and I look forward to building this team with Alvin at the helm.”

“I look forward to building a team that produces informative stories with context, tone and intention,” said Patrick. “The goal will be to cover diverse subjects and communities dynamically and honestly, in keeping with the great storytelling tradition of CBS News.”

The CBS News Race and Culture Unit will be multifaceted and help shape the coverage for all of CBS News. Patrick and his team, working closely with the executive producers of all platforms, will ensure the division’s reporting reflects diverse perspectives. The CBS News Race and Culture Unit will lead new initiatives on race and culture reporting and serve as a place where any staffer can pitch relevant and compelling stories. The unit will also produce high-quality storytelling that is inclusive. The unit will also work closely with CBS News Standards and Practices team to assure all reporting meets the division’s rigorous guidelines.

Patrick has more than three decades of experience in the broadcast and cable television business. Patrick joined CBS News in 2012 as a senior producer working exclusively with CBS News special correspondent James Brown. He has produced reports for 60 MINUTES, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, “60 Minutes Sports” for Showtime, CBS THIS MORNING, the CBS EVENING NEWS, FACE THE NATION and 48 HOURS. Patrick will continue to work with Brown.

Before joining CBS News, Patrick was a senior producer for ABC News’ “Nightline” (2009-2011) and was a senior producer for the digital newsmagazine “The Daily” (2011-2012). Earlier, he was executive producer of ESPN’s “Cold Pizza” and “ESPN News” (2005-2009). He served as executive producer and vice president at MTV Networks (2001-2004), and he was a producer on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (1999-2000). He began his broadcast network career at ABC News and ABC Sports (1989-1998).

Patrick’s work has earned him numerous awards, including six national Emmy nominations, six National Association of Black Journalists awards, a Gabriel Award and a Freddie Award. He also shared two Edward R. Murrow Awards with his colleagues at CBS News.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and a Master of Fine Arts in television production from City University of New York-Brooklyn College.

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