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Presidents Come and Go: April Ryan Marks 29 Years as a White House Correspondent
April Ryan has covered the White House for 29 years. She began on January 13, 1997, as the White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks, and she is the longest-serving Black White House correspondent in history.
On her 29th anniversary, January 13, 2026, the political journalist and author marked the milestone in a short video on The April Ryan Show. Watch it below.
What April Ryan said on her anniversary
"Presidents come and presidents go. Democracies stay and sometimes may feel like they're fleeting. But guess what? For the last 29 years today, I have continued to cover the White House. Good, bad, or indifferent."
Then came the celebration: "Happy anniversary to me." She marked the moment by singing a few bars of Tony! Toni! Toné!'s R&B classic "Anniversary."
In 37 seconds, she summed up nearly three decades on the beat. Administrations change. The work continues.
Six administrations, from Clinton to Trump
Since 1997, April Ryan has covered five presidents across six administrations:
Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
Barack Obama
Donald Trump (first term)
Joe Biden
Donald Trump (second term)
April Ryan at a glance
On the beat since: January 13, 1997
Distinction: The longest-serving Black White House correspondent in history
Today: White House correspondent for The Contrarian, MS NOW political analyst, and host of The Tea with April Ryan, live Thursdays at 5 PM ET
Books: The Presidency in Black and White, At Mama's Knee, Under Fire, Black Women Will Save the World, and her new book, Notes on a Blacklash
Honors: Named Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists in 2017
Why 29 years as a White House correspondent matters
Presidents serve four or eight years. A correspondent who stays on the beat for decades carries something no single administration can: memory. April Ryan has watched policies, press secretaries and promises come and go, and she has spent her career covering urban issues from the White House, a vantage point few reporters have held as long.
That is the heart of her anniversary message. The people in power change, but the work of covering them, good, bad, or indifferent, goes on.
Follow April Ryan
Watch The Tea with April Ryan live Thursdays at 5 PM ET on The Contrarian
Subscribe to April's newsletter on Substack
Watch more interviews and clips on the Media page
Subscribe to The April Ryan Show on YouTube
Frequently asked questions
How long has April Ryan covered the White House?
April Ryan has covered the White House for 29 years. She marked the milestone on January 13, 2026.
When did April Ryan start covering the White House?
She started on January 13, 1997, as the White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks.
Which presidents has April Ryan covered?
Five presidents across six administrations: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump again in his second term.
Where does April Ryan report today?
She is the White House correspondent for The Contrarian, a political analyst for MS NOW, and the host of The Tea with April Ryan.
What books has April Ryan written?
The Presidency in Black and White, At Mama's Knee, Under Fire, Black Women Will Save the World, and her new book, Notes on a Blacklash, available for pre-order.
Can I book April Ryan to speak?
Yes. April Ryan is a political keynote speaker. Visit the Book April page to request her for your event.
Pre-order Notes on a Blacklash: Get your copy
Bring April Ryan to your event: Book April to speak
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