Kendis Gibson, a former anchor for ABC’s “World News Now,” has opened up about a troubling workplace culture at ABC News in his new memoir, Five Trips: An Investigative Journey into Mental Health, Psychedelic Healing and Saving a Life.
In the book, Gibson claims that experiences of bullying, racism, and hazing at the network played a significant role in his 2018 suicide attempt.
Gibson began his career at ABC News in 2014, initially receiving a warm welcome from high-profile colleagues like Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan. However, he later encountered a starkly different reality.
An unnamed Black correspondent allegedly warned him upon his arrival, saying, “Welcome to Mickey’s plantation,” a comment Gibson interpreted as indicative of a deeper, systemic racism within the organization.
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Throughout his nearly five-year tenure, Gibson struggled with mental health issues, including depression and panic attacks, which he attributes in part to his experiences at ABC. He recounts a journey of experimenting with illegal drugs to cope with these challenges.
Despite his initial excitement about joining ABC, Gibson’s experiences ultimately led him to seek help and share his story in hopes of raising awareness about toxic work cultures and their impact on mental health.
