Funeral arrangements have been announced for Doris Biscoe, a trailblazing WXYZ anchor and reporter who graced Detroit TV airwaves for more than 25 years.
Biscoe died June 7 at the age of 77 at her home in Maryland.
Photo provided by family
Her visitation and funeral are set to be held at Marshall-March Funeral Homes (Prince George’s County, 4308 Suitland Rd, Suitland, MD 20746.) Visitation will be Friday, June 14, from 5-7 p.m. and the funeral will be on Saturday, June 15, at 11a.m.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Detroit. We'll release the details once they are confirmed.
VIDEO: Remembering Doris Biscoe, pioneering former WXYZ anchorwoman:
Biscoe, who was born in Washington D.C. in 1946, joined WXYZ as a night reporter in 1973. She previously worked as a radio DJ in Maryland and hosted a weekly public affairs show in Washington D.C. before coming to Detroit.
Throughout her tenure at WXYZ, Biscoe was one of the most visible Black broadcast journalists in Detroit, and throughout America.
"If somebody tells me, 'No, you can't do it,' then I'm going to make sure I damn well do it. I'm just that kind of tough nut," she said in a 1998 Detroit Free Press interview.
Former WXYZ meteorologist Jerry Hodak praised Biscoe for who she was as a broadcaster.
“She was very genuine on air, and what you saw was what she was — not putting on airs, not trying to be a personality," he said.
Throughout her time at the station, Biscoe worked as a reporter before joining the 6 o'clock anchor desk with Rich Fisher. In 1995, Biscoe moved to mornings to anchor with Erik Smith.
VIDEO: Watch an old WXYZ promo starring Biscoe:
“She was like an old fashioned Hollywood star," said Guy Gordon, former WXYZ anchor.
As a friend and former colleague of the trailblazing anchor, Gordon reflected on her legacy and what she stood for. While bringing us the top stories for two and a half decades, Biscoe also had a passion for promoting literacy.
“This learn to read series she was deeply involved in, here’s something totally unrelated to news, but teaching a life skill that was going to improve their lives for the duration," he said.
The legendary Diana Lewis telling us today, "Doris and I often met with young aspiring African American journalists and it was our mission to encourage and set an example for them!"
Biscoe was revered by her colleagues, who praised her dogged ability to chase a story while never losing her cool. In 1984, she famously found presidential candidate Jesse Jackson for an interview on a San Francisco street.
“I lost my shoe. I got the interview, though,” she told the Detroit Free Press.
Among her many award-winning reports were stories that focused on Rosa Parks.
“We felt very strongly that people not being treated fairly in the U.S., it was very much a problem. Racism in and around Detroit stemmed from a lot of things. For her to sit in that chair and be the face of what needed to be said was important," said Bill Proctor, former WXYZ reporter.
In 1994, Biscoe was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle, honoring 25 years in television.
"She was wonderful and stunningly beautiful. She knew how much she could help people, but also she understood the importance to the community of giving a voice to the voiceless," said former WXYZ reporter Mary Conway.
