Former ABC News anchor reveals toxic work culture, racism and bullying that led to suicide attempt in 2018

Former “World News Now” anchor Kendis Gibson’s new memoir sheds light on a workplace culture at ABC News riddled with allegations of harassment, bullying and racism that he believes contributed to his suicide attempt.

In his book Five Trips: An Investigative Journey in Mental Health, Psychedelic Healing and Saving a Life, Gibson recalls his nearly five-year journey during which he experimented with illegal drugs to combat mental health issues, including depression, panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. thoughts which he claims have worsened since his time at the ABC.

Gibson started his dream job at ABC News in 2014, recalling the warm welcome he received from the “Good Morning America” ​​team that included Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan and George Stephanopoulos, the network’s top talents.

According to Gibson’s account in the book, Roberts welcomed him on the air as “the newest member of the ‘Good Morning America’ family.”

Gibson describes the moment as a sort of “official anointment from the queen of the show,” stating that she “couldn’t have been nicer or more genuine both on and off camera.”

However, off-camera, an anonymous black correspondent for the Disney-owned network allegedly warned him, “Welcome to Mickey’s Plantation.” When Gibson asked for more explanation, he was allegedly told, “You’ll find out.”

Although the comment was made in a joking tone, Gibson told Page Six that he believed it reflected implicit racism and had a grain of truth to it.

Gibson was initially hired by ABC News in 2014 in its Washington bureau.

Within a year, he moved to the West Coast office in Los Angeles, and eventually moved to New York, where he overnight took over from TJ Holmes as anchor of World News Now.

The one-day slot, often overlooked by network executives, is seen as a stepping stone for on-air talent looking to grab top spots on flagship shows like World News Tonight and Good Morning America.