Rashida Jones named president of MSNBC, becoming first Black leader of news network

Rashida Jones, senior vice president of NBC News and MSNBC, will become the next president of MSNBC.

In doing so, she will become the first Black leader of a news network, according to MSNBC.

Jones, who has been leading breaking news and major events, guided coverage of stories such as the pandemic and President Donald Trump's impeachment while overseeing presidential debates and other major live programming.

She succeeds Phil Griffin, who Griffin plans to leave MSNBC in early 2021, NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde told staff Monday in an email.

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Conde said this year that he wants half of the company's staff to be women and half to be people of color, according to NBC News.

Before joining Comcast-owned MSNBC, Jones was the news director for the NBC affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina. The Hampton University graduate also served as director of live programming at The Weather Channel.

"If you’ve worked with Rashida on any of those endeavors, you know that she has an outstanding track-record and she leads with a laser-like focus and grace under pressure. I know she will be an excellent leader for MSNBC," Conde wrote.

Jones is not to be confused with Rashida Jones, the actor and writer, who appeared in shows such as "Parks and Recreation" and "The Office."

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.