Sharon D.Howard

Sharon D. Howard currently serves as Executive Director of Community and Public Relations for WDTN-TV, Dayton NBC affiliate. Included in her many duties she is the host of "Dayton and Beyond," a weekly public affairs program. Over the years, she has interviewed such notables as Johnnie Cochran, Kenny G, Jerry Springer, Gloria Steinem and many more. She coordinates all station community projects, including Channel 2's COATS FOR KIDS and FOOD FOR FRIENDS. She also is responsible for administering station community and public relations.

Howard is affiliated with numerous civic and volunteer organizations including the Sinclair Community College Foundation Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of Culture Works, Board and Founding Member of the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Salvation Army Board of Trustees and the Kettering Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors. She is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Tau Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Dayton Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. In December of 2005, she was appointed by Ohio’s Governor to serve on the Ohio Arts Council Board where she Chair’s the Education Committee and serves on the Executive Committee. Howard holds a BA degree from the University of Dayton.

In 2006, Howard founded the "Crown JewelsTM of Dayton" calendar initiative to benefit the Kettering Medical Center Foundation's Women's Wellness Fund.  In just two years, this effort has raised approximately $50,000.00, which helps to fund free mammograms for under-served and uninsured women in the Miami Valley area.  This initiative was expanded to the Cincinnati region with the launch of the "Crown JewelsTM of the Queen City" 2008 calendar, benefiting the Joint Cancer Center.

Howard has been recognized for her journalistic work by receiving the Regional Communicator of the Year Award by the International Communications Training Institute and multiple National Communicator and Telly Awards. Her work in the community has garnered her several recognitions including: Central Region Volunteer of the Year from the National Urban League, Dayton YWCA Women of Influence Award and Distinguished Ambassador Award and the James E. Stamps Communication Award given by the Dayton Inter-Alumni Council of the United Negro College Fund.  In August 2007, Howard received the "Coretta Scott King First Lady Award" by the National Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta and in December 2007, she received the Ten Top  Women Award, given by the Dayton Daily News.

In August 2009, Sharon was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. The Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1978 to recognize the outstanding contributions to the state and nation.

showard@wdtn.com