by Marissa Campo, AWC Detroit Marketing Committee

What do you want to be when you grow up? We have all been asked this question dozens – maybe even hundreds – of times throughout our lives and the answer has likely changed as the years passed. Maybe you wanted to be a veterinarian in first grade, a famous basketball player in middle school, or an English teacher in high school.

For Marie Osborne, the answer to this question isn’t an answer at all. It’s a calling. Osborne has spent 25 years as a reporter and anchor on local radio, returning to WJR Radio Detroit where she is now the Assistant News Director. 

Osborne is widely recognized for excellence in her field and was named one of Detroit’s most influential women in radio. Frequently honored by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and Associated Press, she has also received numerous national awards including a Headliner Award and three Edward R. Murrow awards.

A journalism graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy, the city of Detroit and its revitalization is an important subject to Osborne. She enjoys telling stories of the region’s “re-inventors”.  However, her compassion for others is just as prominent. Her dedication to making an impact in the lives of others is evident in the projects she takes on:

  • Inspired Heroes, a show in partnership with The War Memorial that shares stories of leadership and inspiration from Michigan’s heroes
  • “Telling Difficult Stories: Reporting on Sexual Violence,” a presentation given at Bluffton University to illustrate the challenges of investigating sensitive topics like the history of sexual assault on women in Michigan prisons

Osborne was honored by Lighthouse of Oakland County in 2017 for being a dedicated volunteer and supporting the shelter for nearly 25 years. The sudden loss of her son John, lead pit-master at Detroit’s famous Slows Bar BQ restaurant, prompted her family to create a scholarship in his honor for students pursuing a career in culinary arts at Schoolcraft College. 

Congratulations to Marie on her Media Room Spotlight recognition!